The skyline is different downtown, new restaurants pop up weekly and the highways are ever-growing. Over the past seven years in Oklahoma City there have been a variety of changes. There’s one aspect of the area that hasn’t wavered- the resolute philosophy of the Thunder to build a franchise that can sustain success over time.
As he helped usher in autumn and the new season of NBA basketball in Oklahoma, Thunder General Manager and Executive Vice President Sam Presti explained where the organization is on a number of levels, with many consistent themes. Since Day One in Oklahoma City, there has been a vision in place, one defined by the commitment to day-by-day work that is process-driven rather than outcome based.
Disciplined, connected, cerebral and stoic might not be the flashiest of words, but for Presti and those within the walls of the INTEGRIS Thunder Development Center, those attributes are a cause for optimism and exuberance heading into the 2015-16 campaign.
“We’re coming into the season extremely excited and incredibly enthusiastic about what is ahead for us,” Presti said. “I’m really excited for our players because they’ve put in a ton of work. That’s become the norm for us over an eight year period of time, but they’ve spent a lot of time together.”
Besides the talent level on the roster, one of the reasons for the positive mood heading into training camp is that every player has been cleared to participate fully, including Kevin Durant, Serge Ibaka and others who were recovering from injuries over the summer.
Added to the core of the team this year is the new head coach, Billy Donovan, who has spent the summer fully focused on being completely prepared for the rigors of the regular season. Alongside the assistant coaches that he hired, Donovan has made sure to work closely with everyone in the organization, including players and staff, to build connections throughout the offseason.
“Billy and his group have been incredibly diligent, incredibly detail oriented and have been totally invested in designing a system of play that not only embraces the intrinsic qualities of our team, but also works to try to evolve them and create an efficient and precise style of play on both sides of the ball,” Presti explained.
“He has a tremendous passion for helping his players find the best in themselves physically, mentally and emotionally,” Presti continued. “He is passionate about helping players achieve things that they can’t achieve on their own and allowing them to understand what goes into their collective success and the process that it takes to be not just good, but great.”
The pieces are in place for the Thunder to compete at a high level this season, but it will take a remarkable amount of attention to detail and mental toughness throughout the year to be successful. The core of Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook and Serge Ibaka are entering their prime years and have proven to be dynamic two-way players. They’re surrounded and supported by veterans like Nick Collison, Anthony Morrow, Kyle Singler and DJ Augustin, while young, emerging players like Steven Adams, Enes Kanter, Dion Waiters and Mitch McGary are eager to contribute.
The competitive drive that exists not only within each player, but each coach and staff member in the organization is what has propelled the team to be one of the most successful in the NBA over the past five seasons. What continues to motivate them is the internal goal to make strides each and every day. In order to be an elite team this year and win at a high level, that attitude must be in place from the start of training camp until the final buzzer sounds at the end of the season.
“There’s an ambition to continually build,” Presti outlined. “There’s an ambition to continuously and relentlessly improve the organization, not just because we have to, but because that’s by design. We want to measure ourselves against our own ideals.”
“One of the steps that we need to continue to take is commitment to the things that separate the good teams from the great teams,” Presti continued.
Throughout the wild, unpredictable seven months that lay ahead between now and mid-April when the Playoffs begin, the Thunder will be laser focused on how to be the most potent it can be on the court. The organization and everyone within it, however, won’t miss the opportunity to give back to Oklahoma and its citizens, who as Presti explained are the reason that the team exists and continues to be a positive force in the region.
“I’m excited for us and the community to have another year together to build our relationship,” Presti said. “We strive to be the people’s team and the local team that competes nationally. We’re an organic, local, Oklahoma product. We’re proud of the values that we’ve built upon because they’re synonymous with that of the state we represent.”
As it goes to work every day, passes through each month and wraps up its season, the Thunder aims to be an organization and team that Oklahomans can be proud of. Not just after wins, but in every moment, to be the bastion of perseverance and stability, even while the city changes all around it.