A single OKC Thunder Danilo Gallinari play embodies the new team commitment

In one single play OKC Thunder forward Danilo Gallinari demonstrated the new team commitment and why they are gelling so quickly.

The OKC Thunder is a new-look squad without a superstar so they are playing with a team mentality which is proving to be more successful than first thought. Chris Paul is being –well –.Chris Paul and the sophomore sensations Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Hamidou Diallo have been incredible.

However, it is power forward Danilo Gallinari who is having a season to remember. He is averaging 17.7 points, 4.7 rebounds and 1.4 assists per game. His slash line is amazing at 43.5/40.8/96.0. Gallinari is taking more than half his shots from deep. With numbers like those, it is the smart play.

However, there was a play, towards the end of the game versus the Magic which is the embodiment of the OKC Thunder identity this season. Gallinari lost his shoe at the offensive end, despite this he was still able to get the ball to Chris Paul, who subsequently made the shot.

More from Thunderous Intentions

• Stealing one player from every Southwest Division team for the OKC Thunder
• Should the OKC Thunder chase after a disgruntled hometown hero?
• 3 OKC Thunder players who can step up in Aleksej Pokusevski’s absence
• Aleksej Pokusevski sidelined approximately 6 weeks with ankle injury
• Damian Lillard does not fit with the OKC Thunder

Gilgeous-Alexander then picked up the shoe and dished it perfectly to Gallinari who was, unfortunately, not able to convert in getting his shoe back on in time. He tried in vain while patrolling the paint but there was no time to put the shoe on without leaving the paint exposed.

On the next defensive possession, Gallinari picks up Aaron Gordon then switches off him with Steven Adams. Then the Magic tries to take advantage of Gallinari who is holding his shoe by getting the bigger Nicola Vucevic onto Gallinari. Despite wearing just one shoe, Gallinari is able to hold out Vucevic and the Magic settle for a mid-range jumper.

The shot goes up and then Gallinari competes for the defensive rebound, not even thinking about the possible injury to his foot if someone lands on it. He is able to tap the ball out where two players contest for the ball, it goes out of bounds off the Magic, Thunder ball. This is when Gallinari gets to put his shoe back on.

In the walk-off interview, Gallinari references the talk is great on defense and the team is displaying incredible effort on defense.

This defensive possession sums up the new defensive commitment of the OKC Thunder, we do it as a team — with or without shoes!