Weekly Notebook: Thunder get to .500, Mark Daigneault messages convey

Another week in the books for the Oklahoma City Thunder, and after the first two weeks of the season, the team sits at 3-3 and is currently riding a three-game winning streak after beating the L.A. Clippers twice at home, and the Dallas Mavericks on the road. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has been named player of the week, Mark Daigneault’s message is getting through to the team, and Josh Giddey practices ahead of another three-game week.

The NBA season is in full swing, we are at Halloween and hurling toward Thanksgiving, and before you know it Christmas Music will be blaring in your ears at every department store in America. While it has only been two weeks of the NBA season, there is still a lot to overreact to as we enter week three.

The Oklahoma City Thunder get back to .500 as Mark Daigneault sees his messages come to life, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander wins Player of the week, and what is ahead for OKC?

Mark Daigneault has talked a lot about having trust in everyone on the team, and “running your race” namely after Shai Gilgeous-Alexander picked up four first-half fouls on Thursday and did not start the second half.

That trust showed up in the second half against the Clippers, as the Thunder gutted out a win, and it appeared on Saturday as well when the OKC Thunder turned to Isaiah Joe to hit the game-tying shot to send the Mavericks game to OT, extending the game just enough for Oklahoma City to take home a win.

Another area his messaging has been shown this season is his phrase run your race, which he says often and that also appeared in the last two games. The officials were not great in either game, the Thunder did not attempt a free throw until the 10:22 mark in the 4th quarter on Thursday, and Saturday’s physical game led to the Mavericks complaining about every call, not getting back on defense, and just seeming out of sorts at the time.

With the Thunder focusing inward, it seemed to make life easier when waiting on the calls to balance out. Sure, players will always get animated, but a bad no-call, or call, did not linger into the next player for the OKC Thunder as it does for almost every other team.

I can not promise any win total or if this team will make the play-in tournament, but I can promise this young, scrappy, and hungry Thunder team will be fun to watch all season long.

Mix that with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander taking home Western Conference Player of the Week honors, the team sitting at .500 as they stare down the barrel of another three-game week, and you have a recipe for a great week ahead in Bricktown. See you Tuesday at the Paycom Center!

Games this week: Tuesday vs Magic, Thursday vs Nuggets, Saturday @ Bucks

Song of the week: Smells Like Teen Spirit by Nirvana