Comments by a trio of former OKC Thunder players have drawn attention to the stale offense of past seasons and cite internal conflict. The question is how much onus falls on the players versus the organization?
When players leave a franchise inevitably there will be comments and insights revealed. In the case of the OKC Thunder, their former roster members aren’t holding back. Comments about the basic offense and lack of ball movement also aren’t surprising. Let’s face it watching guys stand around waiting for Russell Westbrook and Paul George take the majority of shots led to zero ball or player movement.
Even the returning players on the OKC Thunder are amped up to play a more free-flowing offense this season.
What is surprising is the comments which hint of player discord off the court. Other than Kevin Durant the OKC Thunder has avoided those types of shots with virtually every exiting player having nothing but positive things to say about the franchise’s culture and solid chemistry.
So, with Jerami Grant, Patrick Patterson and even Paul George taking veiled swipes at the franchise it hints at issues. The question is were they tied to the exiting players (specifically George and Westbrook)? Or are the issues inherent with the man (or men) running the show? It seems neither Sam Presti or Billy Donovan are avoiding the shade and reading between the lines the implications are directed more at Donovan although he isn’t cited directly.
Regardless of the comments, the OKC Thunder enters this season with a renewed focus on ball movement. Everyone on this iteration of the team understands it’s essential if the team wants to compete this season. Head Coach Billy Donovan is preaching this new system and his job may very well depend on it.
Diving into the trio’s comments there’s an argument to be made they were the last three Thunder players who should be talking.