Head coach Mark Daigneault made his OKC Thunder media day debut touching on process and the evolving roster.
NBA Training camps are underway with the OKC Thunder bringing in players for one on one sessions. Media week is running simultaneously and as such Mark Daigneault made his first appearance as the team’s new head coach.
As is typical, OKC Thunder GM, Sam Presti kicked off media day (or week in this case) for the Thunder. The front-office executive spoke of transitioning from a perennial playoff squad into a rebuilding ‘resilient’ unit. In contrast, Mark Daigneault provided some insight on individual players especially the core group of returnees.
Again, it was still broad strokes and for many, this is the introductory phase of the relationship the media will have with Daigneault as he transitions to the top chair of the coaching unit.
Daigneault echoed many of Presti’s comments from Monday, specifically how every player will be given an opportunity to succeed. His comments provide the benchmark for how he views specific individuals and the challenges he expects they’ll face.
In the initial week of the training camp, Daigneault confirmed the OKC Thunder are limited to one player and coach participating in workouts until the association allows for groups. It’s a similar situation to what the Thunder were allowed to conduct prior to heading to the Disney Bubble.
OKC Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault makes first impression
As for two of the outgoing players – Chris Paul and Abdel Nader, Daigneault had high praise, particularly for CP3.
"“Chris’impact here and Chris’ abilities as a player, as a professional, as a human, as a leader — are so well documented all I can say is that everything you’ve probably heard that’s positive about Chris would be endorsed by the people here. He had an unbelivable impact for a very short period of time in the organization. And the most impressive thing about him is his ability to balance all the different things he is balancing — His ability to balance multiple things and stay very present with what he’s doing and be fully engaged and focused with what he’s doing is just a remarkable mental toughness and focus.‘"
Throughout the summer T.I. noted all the ventures Paul is actively involved in such as film projects and philanthropic efforts. This while also performing the daily functions of a husband and father, a player in the NBA as well as the president of the NBPA. The coach cited these ventures as well and noted (as per above) how impressed he is with Paul’s ability is to balance so many things.