During many of the hours that the team has spent together so far in U.S. Cellular Thunder Training Camp, Head Coach Billy Donovan has been exercising his players’ brains in addition to their bodies.
On Friday morning, the coach let his team get up and down the floor for some scrimmage time, allowing the players to push themselves physically equally as hard as they have been mentally. It will continue to be a process to match the cerebral side of the lesson plan with the execution on the floor as camp moves along, but so far Donovan is pleased with the steady march forward that his team is making.
“We’ve had a few very, very good days where we’ve been able to continue to move and progress. It’s been a great group to work with,” Donovan said. “We made some strides, we’ve gotten better and we’ve improved.”
The Thunder’s hallmark will always be defense, but so far in camp the offense has also been a focal point. Earlier in the week, Anthony Morrow used the word “space” when asked what stood out to him about Donovan and the coaching staff’s new offensive scheme. With elite, dynamic scorers like Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook handling the ball and shooters and finishers all around the floor, having an extra foot to work with can be the difference between a basket and a turnover.
“Guys are in positions where they can score the basketball,” Westbrook explained. “The space is good for myself and good for guys who can shoot the basketball really well, roll to the basket. We can use their strengths really well.”
A crucial aspect of that floor balance will also be how both the players and the ball move throughout the half-court. A self-aware bunch, leaders like Durant and Westbrook understand that the team is at its best when playing at a brisk tempo while forcing the opposing defense to defend both sides of the floor. Backdoor cuts, running into pick-and-rolls and secondary actions off the ball are all ways that the Thunder can prevent defenses from zeroing in on the ball-handler or certain players in general.
“Not just myself and Kevin, but (we don’t want to) allow defenses to load up, period,” Westbrook continued. “When we get stagnant and the ball sticks, that’s when we have trouble scoring against certain teams. Now with the offense moving and we’re getting ball movement and guys are cutting and different things, it helps us out.”
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Westbrook Reflects on Role
On Thursday, Westbrook earned praise from Donovan for how much material he’s been able to retain and how well he’s able to relay that to his teammates. Westbrook has always been a point guard unlike any the league has seen, considering his tenacity, physicality and attacking nature. Over the years, however, Westbrook has still maintained and cultivated his ability to create the best shot possible for his teammates.
One of the reasons Westbrook has been able to find scoring opportunities for himself and others is his mastery of the entire offense, not just his position. On Friday, he reflected on his role as an NBA point guard, and what that responsibility entails.
“For our team and for the individuals we have on our team, its best that I know every position and know all the plays,” Westbrook said. “That’s a part of my position and throughout games, guys may come up to me and ask me this or ask me that. I have to be an extension of the head coach.”