OKC Thunder: 3 coaching candidates with G-League background

Why G-League head coaches are perfect for rebuilding Thunder

Part of what makes G-League coaches so uniquely suited for the new NBA is their ability to deal with unusual circumstances beyond the typical injuries or game-planning for more adept teams. On any given night their best G-League players may be called up to the varsity club. They need to learn how to adapt on the fly. Nick Nurse who excels in that regard also demonstrated the need to be creative and have no fear.

Flashback to Game 2 of the 2019 NBA Finals when the Raptors bench boss had his crew implement a box and one defense to gales of laughter from the basketball purists. Turns out it was Nurse who had the last laugh and that was no more evident than this season when more coaches were less fearful of throwing out something different to see if it would work.

Consider the teams who excel year after year without great draft picks. Again, the Raptors are in this mix as leaders in player development. The Raptors 905 club has provided the training ground for Fred VanVleet, Pascal Siakam, Norman Powell, and Chris Boucher.

This season those who didn’t get the chance to catch G-League matches got treated to two other Raptors success stories in the bubble via Stanley Johnson and Paul Watson. Johnson was a player seemingly more likely headed for a career in Europe than back to an NBA varsity club. The Raptors worked on his playmaking and ailing 3-point shot and while the latter wasn’t initially effective in six out of eight bubble games that he played he shot 45.5 percent from deep.

Watson could be the ‘next one’  for the Raptors with hints of his potential in the closeout game of the season with 22 points, six rebounds, two assists, a steal, and shooting 4 of 6  from deep. NOTE to Sam Presti – if you can grab Paul Watson – DO IT.

Another franchise known for strength in player development and their G-League system is the Miami Heat. Duncan Robinson’s time with the Sioux Falls Skyforce was critical to this development and ascent to the varsity club.

Taylor Jenkins made huge strides with the Grizzlies youngsters. But for an untimely injury to Jaren Jackson and Justise Winslow’s inability to return to the court might have pulled off the biggest shocker this season.

Closer to home, the Thunder reaped the rewards of a similar G-Leaguer with the other Canadian youngster not named Shai. Luguentz Dort worked hard with the OKC Blue, and when he got his shot due to a Terrance Ferguson injury he not only made the most of the opportunity he was so effective TFerg never had a shot of winning back his starting role.

While these situations could be outliers where a youngster simply puts the work in or has the right character don’t underestimate the value of the G-League crew who got them ready physically, mentally, and emotionally.

Of the current crop of G-League head coaches, there are two who Sam Presti may want to consider. In addition, a former G-League coach with ties within the OKC Thunder franchise should also garner attention.