It had been exactly a week since Thunder players filled up the hallways, cafeteria and locker room inside the INTEGRIS Thunder Development Center. Maybe that’s why players were still on the court deep into the afternoon on Wednesday as they got back into the swing of things after the All-Star Break.
As Head Coach Billy Donovan’s team got to work today, its primary goal was to maintain that essential “basketball shape” which can take a hit even in a week’s time span. Russell Westbrook, Alex Abrines and Domas Sabonis all represented the Thunder in New Orleans for All-Star Weekend, but the rest of the team wasn’t idle. Players came back to work today with vigor and intensity after both staying in physical shape while also getting some well-earned rest.
“Our guys do a good job of taking care of themselves, taking care of their bodies and using the time to get rejuvenated,” Donovan said. “I could sense there was a level of excitement and enthusiasm and the energy in the building.”
“It feels good to get back in the gym to try to create some rhythm and momentum towards the right direction,” Westbrook added.
After 57 games, the Thunder has over two-thirds of the season to look back upon for evaluation and to use as both correction and motivation for the final 25 games before the postseason begins. As the team got back together, the Thunder coaching staff had a handful of talking points for the team to focus on over the next seven weeks.
“It’s the same stuff, just not micro, more macro,” center Steven Adams explained. “We have to do a lot better at the things we’re good at. So that’s what we’re working on, the stuff we’re already good at, getting better.”
There was a welcome sight for Thunder fans on the practice floor today – Enes Kanter. The Turkish big man was cleared to practice today, although the session was non-contact, 5-on-0 work that consisted mostly of conditioning, rhythm and timing work. What he’s able to do in terms of contact at Thursday’s practice will determine his availability for Friday’s game against the Los Angeles Lakers. Regardless, Kanter’s hard work over the past few weeks will have him in a position to succeed whenever he is able to get into game action.
- “He’s well-conditioned and he’ll come right back in like he never left,” Westbrook said of Kanter.
As of right now, the Thunder sits in seventh place in the Western Conference, 1.5 games back of the Memphis Grizzlies for the sixth spot but 6.5 games ahead of the Denver Nuggets who are in eighth place. With 25 games remaining there’s an opportunity to solidify seeding. As a mindset, however, the Thunder isn’t interested in the standings. Much more important to Donovan’s squad is how the team is playing each night on the floor. That’s what will pay dividends
- “I’m aware of where we are, but it doesn’t matter, as long we constantly play the right way and we’re playing our best basketball towards the end of the season,” Westbrook noted.
Steven Adams was one of the Thunder players who was able to take a brief vacation to recharge his batteries over All-Star Weekend, except there was just one catch. Instead of a sunny beach weekend, Adams characterized his trip as “monsoon season”. As a result, he was able to check in with the Thunder’s social media accounts to keep tabs on Westbrook, Alex Abrines and Domas Sabonis while they competed in New Orleans.
- “I was just looking at the highlights that (the Thunder) was posting,” Adams said. “It was nice, it looked like they were enjoying themselves. It’s good for Domas and Alex, going out there, having fun and seeing the fun side of things.”
- “They’re just constantly figuring out their roles and figuring out what they can do and how they can find their spots and their shots,” Westbrook said of the pair of Thunder rookies who joined him in the Big Easy. “They’re doing a great job of constantly working.”