Thunderous Intentions
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Lessons Sam Presti can learn from counterparts in Thunder rebuild

By Tamberlyn Richardson

OKC Thunder: Russell Westbrook and general manager Sam Presti (Photo by Layne Murdoch/NBAE via Getty Images)
OKC Thunder: Russell Westbrook and general manager Sam Presti (Photo by Layne Murdoch/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Damian Lillard, Blazers vs. Jazz – offer OKC Thunder valuable lessons on constancy (Photo by Cameron Browne/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Blazers and Jazz sustained excellence:

Both the Blazers and Jazz offer examples to emulate. Since winning the title in 1976-77 Portland has missed the playoffs only eight times in 43 seasons. Most recently the Blazers have missed postseason play just twice in 11 years following five seasons of rebuilding.

As for the Jazz in the past 36 seasons, they also boast a 20-year period of consecutive playoff appearances (1983-2003). Since that point, the Jazz only suffered short periods of three, one and four-year playoff absences.

The keys for Presti here are two-fold. Smart draft picks and the right coach led to these clubs sustaining their success. And, while neither team has won the gold ball in the modern era it’s also fair to cite the dominance of superteams being in their way.

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