Season goal for Aleksej Pokusevski No. 3) Learn
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
While this point may seem a little simple, it is the most important factor for any new player in the NBA. As a rookie, Pokusevski is going to be able to learn about the league but it goes much deeper than that. There are so many avenues to learn in the NBA.
He is going to have to learn how to keep his body right for the grind of the NBA season. Nothing can prepare you for the rigors of an NBA season like an NBA season. Days off are usually spent traveling or practicing, sometimes you get to rest.
Then there is learning from the coaches and trainers, all of whom are some of the best at their job in the world.
Then there is the basketball itself. He is going to have to learn what coach Mark Daigneault wants on different plays both offensively and defensively. Pokusevski is going to need to learn his role along with every other player’s role on the court.
Then, he is going to be able to learn from the experienced guys about the little things that not many people outside of the inner sanctum know. Being a rookie in a new league in a new city in a new country is going to be the biggest learning experience of any young player’s life.