OKC Thunder: Mark Daigneault is the least recognizable coach in NBA

A recent Ringer podcast joked how few fans know who the OKC Thunder coach is but with the Cinderella start to the season that won’t last long.

Through ten games of the 2020-21 campaign, the OKC Thunder has been a pleasant surprise. Some might even say they’ve claimed the early mantle of this season’s Cinderella team.

The recent national power rankings found the writers and analysts offering different suggestions for the team’s success. A good portion undervalued their recent win streak citing some of the lower tier teams they defeated (Pelicans, Knicks).

Factor in the underestimation of a team expected to be tanking for the last ladder rung. That caveat is certainly in the mix as the early season witnessed several lottery teams surprising elite clubs. Perhaps in the pandemic world, this is more of a factor given so many teams had nine months off to work on their games and arrived in camp eager to get rolling.

The progression of the Thunder youngsters arguably ahead of schedule is definitely impressing analysts. Notably, this stance depends on the benchmarks each analyst had in place. Across the board, there is no debate over Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s growth.

And, for those of us at Intentions (raises hand), the seemingly rapid growth of Darius Bazley or Luguentz Dort‘s improved perimeter efficiency isn’t that shocking.

But, for the majority of NBA fans, writers, and analysts who watch more games featuring the elite teams it’s somewhat understandable.

What can’t be ignored is how the Thunder have won those five games. First, they all occurred on the road. Other than that common denominator every win featured a different winning scenario:

• Holding off a charging opponent, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander hits game-winner versus Hornets
• Second half dominance with balanced scoring versus Magic
• Perimeter scoring outburst – 19 triples (41.3 percent) versus Pelicans
• Bench outplays opponent – OKC reserves outscore Knicks 48 to 24
• Paint dominance (66 PIP) versus Nets

OKC Thunder coach Mark Daigneault – the unknown master

Given those dynamics, new head coach Mark Daigneault has to get the combo round of applause and hat tip. Fans may not know his name– a fact Chris Vernon and Kevin O’Connor joked about on the Ringer “Do You Believe…” podcast. The duo bet less than one percent of people know Mark Daigneault’s name.

Regardless of how many people know his name, a good portion of the early OKC Thunder season success has to be credited to the bench boss.  Franchise culture has something to do with the team’s character and performance, but with Hamidou Diallo being the longest-serving Thunder player, again it’s up to Daigneault along with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander to keep that mindset in place.

Mark had the benefit of being an assistant with the Thunder last season and head coach of the OKC Blue. That meant the Thunder culture and previous system was ingrained and are most noticeable in the defensive schemes. Yet, the new bench boss and his staff get sole credit for the offensive tweaks, player development, and the way he manages games.

Billy Donovan had great success while with the franchise. His systems and player relationships were among his strengths but his ability to adapt, particularly quickly was arguably his greatest weakness.

Conversely, adaptability is one of Daigneault’s strengths along with his creativity and ability to motivate.

More from Thunderous Intentions

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• 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

Young teams don’t typically hang onto leads. Moreover, young inexperienced rosters don’t typically perform well on the road. Daigneault’s road warriors have done both.

Unlike, the young OKC Thunder head coach, Billy Donovan is a name 99 percent of fans can easily recall. He’s well respected and liked throughout the association.

Tonight marks his return to Chesapeake along with his new squad the Chicago Bulls. The irony is Donovan stated he joined Chicago because of their intent to compete for a title. Yet, it’s his former team who owns the 5-6 record while Donovan’s Bulls are 4-7.

There are many narratives for their first meeting — the student versus the mentor, the disciplined taskmaster versus the young creative savant. Pick your poison.

The teams played twice in the preseason with Donovan’s crew winning both. The first a 103-124 rout and the second a 103-105 squeaker.

That means there are two things the young Thunder coach hasn’t checked off his list yet. Beating his former mentor and winning at home.

He can accomplish both tonight. As for people being able to recall Mark Daigneault’s name, the way he’s getting this young Thunder crew to play it won’t be long until he can check that off the list too!