With the 2024-25 NBA season approaching, the Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder held its annual media day on Monday.
This is what head coach Mark Daigneault and the gamers stated.
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Isaiah Joe
Isaiah Joe has a mindset with regards to his 3-point capturing.
“In the event that they don’t block him, he ought to go in,” Joe stated.
That is a excessive customary, however Joe continues to boost the bar along with his 3-point capturing. After capturing a career-high 40.9% from deep two seasons in the past, the 25-year-old guard shot 41.6% in that division final season.
Joe has established himself as probably the greatest 3-point shooters within the NBA. And whereas his capturing mechanics and off-ball strikes play a giant position, his confidence can be a key consider his success.
“I feel loads of being a extremely good shooter on this league is having confidence,” Joe stated. “It’s best to be capable of have that confidence and belief within the work that you just’re doing. Simply working helps me achieve that confidence.”
Jaylin Williams
Jaylin Williams wasn’t identified for being a shooter throughout his school days.
The 6-9 ahead shot 25.5 p.c from deep all through his two seasons at Arkansas, however he added a brand new wrinkle to his recreation upon arriving in OKC as a second-round decide (No. 34 total) within the 2022 NBA Draft.
Williams has a profession 3-point proportion of 38.5% in his two seasons within the league. That skill to area the ground is a degree of satisfaction for the 22-year-old massive man, who continued to work on his shot this previous offseason.
“A variety of work,” Williams stated. “It’s simply loads of repetition on daily basis. The very first thing I do is figure on the small jumps, then transfer to 3, work on a faster exit.
Kenrich Williams
OKC will not be at full energy to start out coaching camp.
The group introduced on September 17 that Kenrich Williams had efficiently undergone an arthroscopic debridement process on his proper knee. The 29-year-old striker will subsequently miss the complete pre-season.
Williams offered an replace on his restoration course of on Monday.
“It’s one thing I used to be coping with,” Williams stated of the harm. “It form of broke me within the offseason. …I really feel good. Rehabilitation goes nicely. I am simply fortunate to be the place I’m proper now.
Aaron Wiggins
After being chosen by OKC within the second spherical (No. 55 total) of the 2021 NBA draft, Aaron Wiggins needed to struggle for his position within the league.
Wiggins wanted to make first impression within the NBA Summer time League. He should have proven enchancment throughout his time with the OKC Blue, the OKC G League affiliate. And when he was given enjoying time with the Thunder, he needed to profit from each second he was on the courtroom.
Wiggins checked all these containers and he was rewarded this offseason when he signed a five-year, $47 million contract extension with OKC. It was a well-deserved second for the 25-year-old goalkeeper, who was along with his household when he signed the deal.
“It was superior,” Wiggins stated. “It’s simply an thrilling second, all the things loads of guys dream of. It was nice to have the ability to be with my mother, dad, siblings throughout this time.
Chet Holmgren
OKC was energetic across the commerce deadline final season.
He acquired Gordon Hayward from Charlotte, giving the group a veteran ahead. He additionally signed two veteran massive males, Bismack Biyombo and Mike Muscala.
But OKC hasn’t discovered a long-term resolution to its lack of rim safety exterior of Chet Holmgren. However that modified this offseason when the group signed former New York heart Isaiah Hartenstein to an $87 million contract.
Hartenstein is a hard-nosed rim protector, aggressive rebounder and succesful playmaker at his place. And whereas it is unclear whether or not he’ll begin or come off the bench with OKC, Hartenstein is certain to pair nicely with Holmgren when the 2 7-footers share the courtroom.
“(Hartenstein) is a heck of a publish defender, rebounder,” Holmgren stated. “It is an excellent rim protector. He was big for this New York group final 12 months, particularly within the playoffs. It will be necessary this 12 months. … I really feel like no matter choices are made there, we will go on the market and execute them.
Lu Dort
All through his profession, Lu Dort has been an elite defender.
The 6-foot-4 guard made the 2019 Pac-12 All-Defensive Crew at Arizona State. And, after going undrafted within the 2019 NBA Draft, he carved out a task for himself in OKC as a hard-nosed stopper.
This won’t change this season. Dort shall be a key contributor for an OKC group poised to compete for its first championship in franchise historical past, however he’ll have much more assistance on the defensive aspect of the ball.
Along with enjoying alongside returning gamers comparable to Chet Holmgren and Cason Wallace, Dort will be part of forces with two newly acquired Thunder gamers. OKC added Alex Caruso, who made two NBA All-Defensive groups, and Isaiah Hartenstein.
OKC is loaded with elite defenders. And whereas integrating new items could take time, Dort sees the group’s potential on that aspect of the ball.
“We now have loads of good defenders with the ball,” Dort stated. “It comes from communication, and that form of factor comes with apply. We go to the gymnasium collectively and work on that so we will do it in video games. All of it comes from belief and communication. I am excited to go along with these guys.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander reached famous person standing final season.
The 26-year-old guard completed second in MVP voting. He earned his second consecutive first-team All-NBA and All-Star choice. He appeared in nationwide commercials and signed a multi-year contract extension with Converse.
However when requested Monday what his private targets have been for the upcoming season, Gilgeous-Alexander did not point out any awards or model offers.
“I wish to have a sure variety of reps on daily basis earlier than and after coaching,” Gilgeous-Alexander stated. “I wish to make sure that we bond and spend time collectively. …Little issues like that fear me proper now.
That selfless mindset is what allowed Gilgeous-Alexander to turn into the undisputed chief of an OKC group that captured first place within the Western Convention final season.
OKC is now not the up-and-coming group. He can have a goal on his again for the primary time in years. However Gilgeous-Alexander and the Thunder will nonetheless strategy the upcoming season the identical approach they often do.
“It’s in our greatest curiosity to not change this mentality and preserve it,” Gilgeous-Alexander stated.
Marc Daigneault
The Thunder arrived final season.
After posting a shedding document for 3 straight seasons, OKC went 57-25. He grew to become the youngest No. 1 seed in NBA historical past in each conferences and reached the Western Convention semifinals.
In consequence, exterior expectations have modified. OKC has the second greatest probability to win the NBA Finals, in line with BetMGM Sportsbook. And with the offseason additions of Alex Caruso and Isaiah Hartenstein, the group seemingly has all the things it must compete for its first title in franchise historical past.
However Daigneault is not fascinated about the playoffs or altering roles on the revamped roster. For now, the reigning NBA Coach of the Yr is simply fascinated about coaching camp.
“The targets don’t transfer based mostly on something aside from our inside requirements, our inside surroundings,” Daigneault stated. “I simply suppose the ball hasn’t bounced but. I feel if I got here right here and talked about particular roles, it could fully undermine the integrity of coaching camp.
“Right now of 12 months, it is actually about reestablishing our id, which is about competing on each ends of the courtroom.”
This text was initially printed on Oklahoman: OKC Thunder 2024 Media Day: What Shai Gilgeous-Alexander & Co. stated
