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OKC Thunder exit interviews after season ends in NBA playoffs vs Mavs

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6 months ago

May 20, 2024

OKC Thunder exit interviews after season ends in NBA playoffs vs Mavs

Almost 12 hours after the Thunder’s season resulted in a 117-116 loss to the Mavericks in Sport 6 of the Western Convention semifinals, coach Mark Daigneault and gamers are again in OKC for exit interviews.

It was a banner season for the Thunder, which went 57-25 within the common season to earn the highest seed within the Western Convention. Mark Daigneault was voted NBA Coach of the Yr, whereas Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was runner-up for NBA MVP and Chet Holmgren was second in Rookie of the Yr voting.

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Extra:OKC Thunder enters offseason pushed to ‘keep away from this sense once more’ after NBA playoff exit

The way it obtained ‘simpler’ for Cason Wallace to change into comfy with OKC

Cason Wallace did extra observing than speaking when he arrived at OKC as a rookie final offseason.

The then-19-year-old guard was in a brand new metropolis, surrounded by new teammates, and it took time for him to regulate to his environment.

“It wasn’t that I used to be afraid to speak to individuals,” Wallace mentioned. “I simply didn’t have a lot to speak about. I simply obtained right here, and all people is speaking about final 12 months and the individuals they miss and all this. I used to be like, ‘I don’t actually know them.’ I couldn’t simply butt into the dialog.”

However Wallace grew to become extra comfy because the season unfolded, and he additionally appeared comfy on the ground.

Wallace completed with averages of 6.8 factors and a pair of.3 rebounds in 20.6 minutes. It was a robust rookie season for the Kentucky alum, who has absolutely built-in himself into the group.

“Time went on, and we began making our personal reminiscences,” Wallace mentioned. “It was simpler to navigate that. … It was great. I noticed the entire group was actually shut with one another, and no person obtained handled in another way.”

Extra:Gordon Hayward describes stint with OKC Thunder as ‘disappointing’ and ‘irritating’

How Jaylin Williams managed to ‘be myself’ with OKC

When Jaylin Williams cracked the windshield of his automobile this season, his girlfriend referred to as for somebody to come back restore it at his house.

Williams’ girlfriend put the request beneath her title, however the repairman noticed Williams when he arrived and immediately reacted.

“He did not say hey, did not say something,” Williams mentioned. “He simply began barking at me.”

Williams averaged 4 factors and three.4 rebounds in 13 minutes this season.

It was a modest position, but it surely wasn’t the one manner he impacted the group. Williams helped create a tight-knit tradition in OKC along with his light-hearted perspective. One the place gamers and followers bark at one another earlier than and after video games.

“To me, I do not take a look at it as a job,” Williams mentioned. “I am simply being myself. I feel that loads of it’s due to my teammates, as effectively. They bring about it out of me. They let me be free and be myself round them.

“It is simply be on the market and having enjoyable. I attempt to lighten the scenario loads of instances, yell at them, joke round.”

Ousmane Dieng made ‘leaps and bounds’ throughout G League title run

Ousmane Dieng obtained loads of invaluable expertise this season.

The previous No. 11 general decide in 2022 solely averaged 4 factors in 11.1 minutes with the Thunder, however he maintained a lead position with the OKC Blue.

Dieng averaged 17.3 factors, 7.8 rebounds and 6 assists in 31.8 minutes per recreation with the G League affiliate, and he led the Blue to its first-ever title. He even gained G League Finals MVP.

“I feel the entire course of was an incredible expertise,” Dieng mentioned. “Clearly, the G-League was actually enjoyable, and the championship was an incredible expertise for me. Particularly the playoffs, enjoying a collection, enjoying necessary video games. That was actually good.”

Dieng remains to be attempting to carve out his position with the Thunder, which boasts one of many deepest benches within the league.

However along with his second season within the books and extra G League expertise beneath his belt, Dieng can see the enhancements he has made.

“I really feel like I am a manner higher participant than firstly of the season,” Dieng mentioned. “I’ve grown leaps and bounds. I feel the G League playoffs actually made me progress.”

Jalen Williams says OKC ‘caught collectively’ this season

OKC acquired loads of nationwide recognition for its breakout season.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander completed second within the MVP race. Chet Holmgren completed second within the Rookie of the Yr race. Mark Daigneault gained Coach of the Yr.

However none of these particular person accolades distracted the group because it made its first Western Convention semifinals look since 2016, in accordance with Jalen Williams.

“We’re actually linked,” Williams mentioned. “We have now loads of good dudes on the group which you could’t assist however root for and hope for one of the best.”

Williams has managed to develop throughout the circulation of OKC’s system.

The previous No. 12 general decide in 2022 averaged profession highs of 19.1 factors and 4.5 assists in his second season.

“For me personally, I need to see all people else on the group do effectively, too,” Williams mentioned. “It is simply with the ability to give myself up for them, and hopefully that will get reciprocated. I feel it did. All people had a extremely good 12 months by the ups and downs of the season. Regardless I feel all of us sort of caught collectively.”

Why the longer term is ‘fairly thrilling’ for Chet Holmgren

Chet Holmgren’s rookie season went in addition to anybody may’ve hoped for.

After lacking all of final season because of a foot harm, the previous No. 2 general decide in 2022 performed all 92 video games this time round. He averaged 16.5 factors and seven.9 rebounds, and he completed second in voting for the NBA’s Rookie of the Yr award.

There’s loads to be enthusiastic about. However as Holmgren talked to the media on Sunday, lower than 24 hours faraway from OKC’s season-ending loss to Dallas, it was too quickly to mirror on his particular person play.

“It is too early,” Holmgren mentioned. “I have never even thought of it.”

It wasn’t too quickly for head coach Mark Daigneault, although, who spoke extremely of Holmgren and his future on Sunday.

“Proper now that is, in my view, the bottom stage of Chet Holmgren we’ll see, which is fairly thrilling,” Daigneault mentioned. “And the rationale I am so assured saying that’s due to his urge for food for enchancment. He is a man that’s extremely targeted.

“Basketball is his primary precedence. He sleeps in his sneakers. He could have an incredible summer season bodily and skill-wise.”

Why Lindy Waters III, OKC carries themselves ‘with class’

Lindy Waters III has solely been with OKC for 3 seasons, and but it feels for much longer than that.

The previous Norman North and Oklahoma State standout has been round basketball in Oklahoma his entire life. He was round when OKC moved from Seattle in 2008. He was round when Kevin Durant bolted for Golden State in 2016. And he was round as a participant when the group went by its rebuild.

Now, Waters is round for the resurgence of Thunder basketball. And his ties to the state solely make it extra significant.

“The satisfaction of Oklahoma, it’s one thing that we attempt to categorical to one another,” Waters mentioned. “We’re seeing Oklahoma develop enormously over the previous decade. … Now, being part of this entire group, it’s simply so skilled, and we stock ourselves with class.

“I feel that speaks to how Oklahoma is generally. We’re a really proud group, and we’ll preserve encouraging one another.”

Aaron Wiggins says OKC’s youth didn’t play ‘any half’ in playoff exit

OKC’s youth obtained talked a few ton this season.

The Thunder entered the season because the second-youngest group within the NBA. It grew to become the youngest No. 1 seed in NBA historical past. It grew to become the youngest group to win a playoff collection.

However the one place OKC’s youth wasn’t talked about was within the locker room, in accordance with Aaron Wiggins.

“I don’t suppose our youth performed any half in our success or our playoff play,” Wiggins mentioned. “I feel our connectedness, togetherness and understanding of what it takes to be a group that will get higher and to be a group that may win video games helped us get to the place we had been.”

OKC has grown up as a group over time, however people have additionally made strides.

That features Wiggins. Regardless of averaging 6.9 factors in a career-low 15.7 minutes this season, the 25-year-old guard shot a career-high 49.2% from deep and offered a set off the bench.

“I’m simply sort of studying the methods of the NBA,” Wiggins mentioned. “I’m studying particular person gamers, how guys play and the way groups play. … After which with our group, chemistry, simply persevering with to develop with all of it. I feel I grew so much in these sides of the sport.”

How Josh Giddey grew to become the ‘greatest teammate’ potential after getting benched within the playoffs

OKC had loads to rejoice following its Sport 1 win over Dallas.

The Thunder earned a dominant 117-95 win in entrance of a packed house crowd, which created an electrical surroundings from the opening tip to the ultimate buzzer.

However one one that didn’t rejoice as a lot was Josh Giddey, who solely performed 17 minutes and struggled to remain on the ground.

“I used to be in all probability in my very own head, and I wasn’t being a very good teammate,” Giddey mentioned. “I simply felt dangerous. … I used to be attempting to be joyful, however I used to be additionally so fearful internally. I couldn’t absolutely get across the guys the best way I needed to.

“From that time on, I made a promise to myself that whether or not I play 5 minutes or 40 minutes, I’m going to be one of the best teammate I will be.”

Giddey continued to battle on the court docket all through the collection.

The third-year guard in the end obtained benched for the primary time of his profession in Sport 5, and he completed with collection averages of 6.2 factors and a pair of.7 rebounds in 12.7 minutes.

Nonetheless, Giddey put his personal pursuits apart for the great of the group.

“With regards to the playoffs, it turns into kind of that chess match,” Giddey mentioned when requested about getting benched. “It’s simply a part of the sport, and I took it on the chin. I saved transferring ahead and tried to be one of the best teammate I might be from the position I used to be enjoying on the bench.”

Why it was a ‘big honor’ for Isaiah Joe to get playoff begins

Isaiah Joe obtained inserted into the beginning lineup for the ultimate two video games of the Western Convention semifinals.

The fourth-year professional solely made one begin within the common season, however he welcomed the chance. Joe averaged 8.5 factors and shot 41.7% from deep throughout his two playoff begins.

“It’s a chance that I’ll by no means take without any consideration,” Joe mentioned. “It’s actually intense on the market. The fan reactions on each side are all the time superb. … It’s simply an enormous honor to have the ability to be in these positions.”

Joe continues to carve out a job within the NBA after he obtained chosen by Philadelphia within the second spherical (No. 49 general) of the 2020 draft.

The 24-year-old guard averaged 8.2 factors and a pair of.3 rebounds in 18.5 minutes this season. And he hasn’t forgotten how far he has come.

“You’ll be able to always remember the place you got here from,” Joe mentioned. “The journey. The grind. That’s what it’s about, simply flattening boundaries all over the place you go.”

Lu Dort appears to be like to ‘sharpen my recreation’ this offseason

Lu Dort says his recreation hasn’t modified since he obtained into the NBA in 2019.

He’s nonetheless a hard-nosed guard who prides himself on his protection. He’s nonetheless a hustle man who’s the primary one to dive on the ground for a free ball. None of that modified as he went from an undrafted participant to a key contributor for OKC.

“I have been having the identical recreation for the previous 5 seasons,” Dort mentioned. “It will be the identical. I will not flip to Shai (Gilgeous-Alexander) in a single offseason.”

Dort remains to be the identical participant at his core, however he did add to his recreation this season.

The fifth-year professional solidified himself as a 3-and-D menace by capturing a career-high 39.4% from deep. And although he will not change into Gilgeous-Alexander this offseason, he does hope to change into a extra polished participant.

“Every thing,” “Dort mentioned when requested what he needs to enhance. “After I’m going within the offseason, I’m simply engaged on every little thing and simply attempting to sharpen my recreation.”

Kenrich Williams is ‘grateful’ for his journey with OKC

Kenrich Williams nonetheless remembers the early years of OKC’s rebuild.

He was on the group in 2020 when it went 22-50. It marked the fewest wins ever for the franchise, which had grown accustomed to being aggressive through the days of Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook.

These had been powerful instances. However they made Williams admire OKC’s current success much more.

“It’s been a journey that I’m extraordinarily grateful for,” Williams mentioned. “Being right here in (2020) and going by that, it sort of makes you grateful for the place you had been. It does make you grateful for the place you’re at.”

Williams can be grateful for his position with OKC, regardless of how a lot it varies on a day-to-day foundation.

The sixth-year professional solely averaged 4.7 factors and three rebounds in a career-low 14.9 minutes this season. However he by no means obtained discouraged.

“That’s my job as knowledgeable,” Williams mentioned. “You simply must be prepared. Your quantity might be referred to as at any minute.”

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander says OKC will ‘study and get higher’ from playoff exit

As Shai Gilgeous-Alexander walked off the ground of American Airways Heart on Saturday, recent off OKC’s season-ending loss to Dallas, he felt a rush of feelings.

A few of that was ache from a heartbreaking defeat. A few of that was frustration with himself for a late foul on P.J. Washington, who then sank the game-winning free throws.

However a few of it was readability.

“I felt like, ‘Wow, we’re right here,’” Gilgeous-Alexander mentioned. “We’ve misplaced. We’ve misplaced for a purpose. All you are able to do is study and get higher from that. That’s the way you in the end get to the place you need to go.”

It’s no secret the place OKC needs to go.

The Thunder remains to be trying to find its first championship in franchise historical past. And although it fell wanting that aim this season, Gilgeous-Alexander and firm are devoted to enjoying the lengthy recreation.

“As a rule, you don’t get (your targets) whenever you need them,” Gilgeous-Alexander mentioned. “You get them whenever you deserve them. … You simply must put the work in. And in the event you put the work in and deserve it, you’ll get it.”

How OKC reminded Bismack Biyombo to ‘get pleasure from life’

Bismack Biyombo is a seasoned veteran.

The 31-year-old heart has performed for six completely different groups all through his 14 seasons within the NBA. He has gone by the grind of an 82-game marketing campaign. He has weathered slumps, shedding streaks and accidents.

That may take a toll. However when Biyombo signed with OKC on February 10, the younger and energetic group reminded him why he performs the sport.

“It was nice,” Biyombo mentioned. “As a participant, you’ve performed for thus lengthy within the league that you just lose sight of issues like being children. I feel it was a very good reminder to all the time be children, be curious and revel in life slightly bit.”

From barking like a canine with followers to celebrating as a bunch throughout postgame interviews with Bally Sports activities Oklahoma’s Nick Gallo, OKC is aware of how one can have enjoyable.

However the younger group additionally is aware of how one can give attention to the duty at hand, and that stage of maturity wasn’t misplaced on Biyombo.

“Simply from watching them and competing towards them, I knew they had been mature sufficient,” Biyombo mentioned. “I feel the maturity stage of every considered one of them within the locker room helps the coach to educate them. Helps the entrance workplace to maintain including.”

Gordon Hayward says time, position with OKC was ‘disappointing’

When Gordon Hayward obtained traded from Charlotte to OKC on February 8, he was seen as a possible recreation changer.

The 14-year-pro was anticipated to supply a veteran presence, particularly within the postseason, for a group that was the youngest No. 1 seed in NBA historical past. However issues didn’t go as deliberate.

Hayward didn’t rating within the playoffs, and he solely averaged 6.6 minutes in seven appearances.

“Clearly, disappointing with sort of the way it all labored out,” Hayward mentioned. “It’s not what I believed it could be, and it’s definitely irritating. I really feel like as a participant I’ve so much to supply, and I simply wasn’t given a lot of a chance to do this.

“I feel the minutes had been definitely down and sporadic to some extent the place they had been nonexistent. Simply after I was on the market, it was restricted touches, I might say.”

Hayward might be an unrestricted free agent this offseason.

When requested what his future holds, the 34-year-old ahead didn’t look too far forward.

“I really feel prefer it’s sort of been one lengthy highway journey for me right here,” Hayward mentioned. “I’m excited to get again to my household. … I’ll take a deep breath and work out what’ll be subsequent.”

Why it ‘meant so much’ for Mike Muscala to return to OKC

Mike Muscala by no means stopped watching Thunder video games.

He saved tabs on OKC even after it traded him to Boston in February 2023, ending a four-year stretch with the franchise. Muscala then bounced across the league, making stops at Washington and Detroit within the span of about 13 months.

However when Muscala signed with OKC on March 2, he returned simply in time to be part of a historic season.

“It was superior,” Muscala mentioned. “I clearly have loads of reminiscences right here and years spent right here. To simply be capable to come again and be part of the group, it meant so much to me.”

Muscala says he was meditating in a park in Detroit when he heard from his agent, who instructed him a mid-season return to OKC might be within the playing cards.

It was too good of a chance to go up on. And whereas Muscala might be an unrestricted free agent this offseason, he gained’t cease supporting OKC even when he finally ends up signing with a unique group.

“I am going to all the time be a Thunder fan it doesn’t matter what occurs in my life,” Muscala mentioned.

Mark Daigneault says OKC constructed ‘deliberate construct over 4 years’

For these outdoors the group, OKC may seem as an in a single day success.

It went 57-25, and it grew to become the youngest No. 1 seed in NBA historical past for both convention. The Thunder took the league by storm, however its whirlwind of a season has been brewing for fairly a while.

“This has been a deliberate construct over 4 years,” head coach Mark Daigneault mentioned. “It’s been incremental. I might say we’ve had a really constant surroundings. We’ve had very excessive requirements that our gamers have met and exceeded. That has put us in positions to develop and proceed to progress.”

Daigneault has been round for the complete course of.

OKC employed him as his head coach in November 2020, lower than a 12 months after the group traded away Russell Westbrook and Paul George.

The Thunder went 46-108 all through Daigneault’s first two seasons, but it surely made strides final season when it reached the play-in match. OKC then adopted that up with a visit to the Western Convention semifinals.

And whereas the Thunder in the end fell two wins wanting advancing, the playoff run is only one extra step in its ongoing construct.

“You’ve obtained to make use of each single expertise for ahead momentum,” Daigneault mentioned. “Our group ought to use being the No. 1 seed in a tricky Western Convention, profitable nevertheless many video games we gained, as motivation to grasp what we’re able to.”