The NBA preseason is officially underway, and before playing a single minute of action, the OKC Thunder have once again proven why so many believe they're built different compared to most other clubs.
Speaking to the media at Sunday's practice session, coach Mark Daigneault was asked how he and his team are coping with their "condensed" preseason schedule that will see them play four of their five games in back-to-back intervals.
While he acknowledged that minute distributions may be a bit all over the place, the headman revealed that the setup of their five-game slate is actually by design, noting, "we make our own preseason schedules."
To Daigneault, the schedule they chose is set up to allow OKC more practice time leading into their matchups while also giving less seasoned players a chance to experience the rough conditions of playing consecutive nights against other NBA-level talent.
Though he noted that the high-minute guys (Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams, Chet Holmgren, etc.) won't suit up for every game of the preseason, Daigneault suggested several others, presumably their younger talents and those on the roster bubble in camp, will.
Rather than easing themselves into their upcoming 82-game regular season slate with a more cushy and spread-out preseason schedule, the Thunder are instead opting to dive headfirst into things and embark on a simulated stretch of nonstop rapid on-court action.
Even before meaningful ball is played, OKC is clearly trying to test themselves.
Preseason should allow for Ajay Mitchell, Cason Wallace experimentation
On top of allowing the Thunder to get an early feel for back-to-backs, their preseason schedule should also be seen as an opportunity for the coaching staff to experiment with the likes of Cason Wallace and Ajay Mitchell as their primary two guards.
Though most assumed Wallace would be the obvious choice to take over starting shooting guard duties following the departure of Lu Dort this summer, considering Mitchell's tremendous play last season while serving in such a role, coupled with coach Daigneault's noncommittal vibes when speaking about the state of the position at media day, a battle between the two could be held.
As should be the case every preseason, these exhibitions give the coaching staff an early feel for how certain rotation configurations work on the hardwood.
With this, fans should expect to see both Wallace and Mitchell get at least one game for themselves as the main starting two, especially in the outings where the rest of the club's high-minute guys are active.
Both have a legitimate argument for why they deserve the role. This preseason, hopefully coach Daigneault will give each of them an opportunity to present theirs.
Add us as a preferred source on Google