OKC Thunder: Orlando day one takeaways following practice

Following the OKC Thunder first practice in Orlando Chris Paul, Danilo Gallinari and Billy Donovan spoke to media.

With all 22 teams in the Orlando campus and teams beginning to practice the NBA season resumption feels more likely. The OKC Thunder arrived on July 8th and underwent 48 hours of quarantine. On Friday, the Thunder players held their first full practice since before the season was suspending in mid-March.

Afterward, Chris Paul, Danilo Gallinari, and head coach Billy Donovan spent time answering questions via a virtual media session.

Clearly, the pictures posted on social media demonstrated how happy the players were to be back on the court but hearing from them directly offered additional insight.

OKC Thunder media session takeaways

Following the practice session Chris Paul, Danilo Gallinari, and Billy Donovan answered media questions. Here are the top takeaways from their virtual sessions.

Billy Donovan:

The head coach was as happy as the players to have everyone back together again. He stated, “Our guys are excited to play, practice, and be around one another.”

Donovan clarified seven coaches came to Orlando with the team including Mo Cheeks who at age 63 was someone who would’ve needed to go through additional medical clearance.

In terms of the game plan for the first day, the coach noted they spent ample time reviewing concepts prior to scrimmaging. As expected there is rust from the long hiatus but he felt everyone had good energy and that overall it was a good day.

The one player everyone was keen to learn more about and who everyone was asked about was Andre Roberson. The coach also spoke about Roberson in his virtual media session last week before the team left for Orlando.

Billy Donovan said Roberson did go through everything in practice and looked “really good” and noted his movement was good. That said, the coach was also quick to say “we’ll see how he develops”. That caution from the coach is understandable since he’s been down this road in the past two preseasons.

Asked how he would spend his time in the bubble setting Donovan said he brought a Kindle along but that he expects to be watching tape working with his coaching crew.

Chris Paul:

The OKC Thunder captain sure loves his team. Throughout the season and the hiatus Paul has often pointed to the group’s chemistry and today was no different. In response to how the team would get back the chemistry he said:

“We have such a great group of guys. That will take care of itself.”

Paul noted the hiatus began with everyone feeling a bit nervous but eventually settled in being able to enjoy time with their families. He also raved about finally being with his teammates in person.

Specifically, CP3 said “Zoom calls are nice, but it’s nothing like seeing each other. We’ve got a special team. We genuinely love to be around each other.”

Paul also touched on the return of Andre Roberson and how happy he was for Dre and to see him playing and practicing. He referenced how much he hated having to play against Roberson in the past which is likely the same feeling a lot of Thunder opponents are feeling with the news ARob could be rejoining the team on the court.

CP3 embodied what most of the team was saying on their first day at practice about Roberson. Erik Horne provided the full statement from Paul:

The NBPA president told the media he’ll wear “Equality” on the back of his jersey as his social justice message and that others on the team are also participating with messages. And, he sent Sam Presti a text to say how happy he was the franchise is being proactive in undertaking the Thunder Fellows program.

And a funny bit from Brady Trantham who tweeted how CP3 took 20 minutes to come back and talk because he needed to shave first.

Danilo Gallinari:

The Italian sniper was one of the few players who raved about the bubble (some NBA players have hit social media to complain about meals or the rooms). Gallo said everything the NBA has done to set up the bubble for safety is amazing.

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Gallinari discussed how the players will deal with the seclusion of the bubble stating some guys brought video games. However, Steven Adams brought his guitar, and since he (Gallo) also plays they plan on having a session together.

Having suffered an injury that kept him off the court for a long term perhaps no one on the Thunder is better suited to understand Roberson’s journey back than Gallinari. Like Donovan and Paul, Gallo was happy to see ARob play and said “I know what it means to be out for that long with a bad injury. Just to see the joy and energy he brings to the team, it’s great to see him out there with us.”

The OKC Thunder are scheduled to get back on the practice court today from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. EST on the Visa Center arena. In fact, today is the first day all 22 teams are scheduled to practice.