OKC Thunder mailbag: How can you make a 57-win team even better to contend for NBA title? oklahoman.com/story/sports/n…

I’m more of a reader than a pod person, but I got a long drive. What pods y’all listening to?

Rewatching the Last Dance and they’re at the part where Mike drops 63 on the Cs. Bird says the gameplan was to limit MJ as much as possible. I wasn’t around then to know the evolution of help, but I’m seeing nonstop 1-on-1 and Boston going under screens on middys. Nasty stuff.

The comments were fs something, and perhaps an extension of his own thoughts. At worst, he’d only ever been a decent player with starter minutes. That’s part of what I imagine both sides miscalculated/the push to incorporate him was wishful thinking. Both seemed amicable abt it.

Feels like the Gordon Hayward stuff is being blown out of proportion, maybe by everybody but him and the team.

His stint in OKC was forgettable. He voiced that the role was unlike any he’d had. Presti admitted he misread the situation. Somehow everything is being lit aflame.

What is Josh Giddey's future with OKC Thunder? GM Sam Presti remains patient oklahoman.com/story/sports/n…

'I missed on that. That's on me, but I'm learning.”

- Sam Presti discussing how while the Gordon Hayward trade was multidimensional (freed up roster spots & Cap), he feels that he misread it & talked about how it’s a learning experience.

Found the self-awareness cool.

Prefaced this by talking about Jerry Krause, who was painted as this sort of lonely but dedicated scout who was obsessed with the chase to discover new players leading up to when he passed. Asked Presti if he shares that same chase/feeling:

Presti: “We understand there’s no silver platters in Oklahoma City. We’re gonna have to take it.”

Presti says he didn't know Bill Walton, but was thinking about him this morning.
'I've never heard anybody articulate their passion for basketball better than this person. His ability to articulate his love for the game, that so many others loved, is unmatched.'

Presti referring to his old arrival vs appearance theme: “What we have is an appearance. We have shown up to the postseason. We’ll arrive if we can replicate that.

'You can pick the lock or crack the code.'

Presti:

'I love watching the development of players. I love watching players achieve their goals. I'm fascinated by basketball in general, but especially these guys who are so good at it... I have admiration for the sacrifices these guys make. They keep the lights on here.'

Presti: 'Cason’s a no-agenda player. He’s making the play that’s in front of him. So much is made of “make a play.” Cason is serving the game.”

Presti on Jalen Williams: “Dub is not a numbers guy. If there’s one thing I could say to him, it would be “be yourself.” He’s a unique guy, he’s traveled a different path. I want to make sure he maintains that.”

Presti says the trade was instructive in that he saw the effects of adding someone midseason but not fully considering how much it might take away from some of what was working. “I don’t think I read that perfect,' he says, acknowledging he'll be better for it.

Presti on the draft: “I like the draft. I think it’s pretty good.'

Says whoever they draft should have an understanding of what they're working toward, while 'seeing if they can find self satisfaction in being part of that.'

Had a pretty long rant about the midseason officiating change, the in-season tournament, and all the components that tied into stars playing less and teams receiving less free throws.

Presti: “We had games this year where we didn’t get free throws. That’s not a basketball game. Basketball games have free throws.”