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Mark Diagneault went from the G League to teach Oklahoma City, and in solely 5 years on the helm, he rebuild the squad by taking them to their best-ever file because the Russell Westbrook period. As they’re presently main their collection towards the Pelicans 3-0, the younger tactician has simply been named the NBA’s Coach of the Yr.
Not solely did he conquer the West Convention this common season, however he did it with the youngest No. 1 seed in league historical past. Nevertheless, the shortage of playoff expertise hasn’t been affecting his squad’s performances up to now, as they appear set for the postseason’s semifinals.
On Saturday afternoon, they confirmed their dominance towards New Orleans, as they rolled one other dominant triumph by successful 106 to 85. “We simply attempt to clear the hurdle in entrance of us,” stated the Thunder coach. “That’s how we’ve been via time, not simply this season.”
The 2023-24 NBA Coach of the Yr is… Mark Daigneault!#NBAAwards pic.twitter.com/qrzWjP1WCI
— NBA (@NBA) April 28, 2024
“And the phrase I’ve used with the workforce is ‘unusual’ all 12 months. I believe they only have an unusual maturity and unusual poise, unusual competitiveness and togetherness. And with that competitiveness, they’re not simply siloed opponents. They compete collectively. And I believe that offers you confidence in aggravating conditions or on the street whenever you’re doing it as a part of a unit, and I actually assume they really feel like that,” he insisted.
Oklahoma Metropolis has proved to have this “unusual’ maturity”, particularly throughout Sport 2 and three of the postseason, as all their workforce’s factors have come from gamers below 25 years outdated. These are the one two occasions in historical past that this has ever occurred.
Out of the 13 gamers utilized by the Thunder up to now these playoffs, 9 of them are enjoying within the huge levels for the primary time. Three of their 4 gamers with most expertise, have mixed for zero factors in these first three contests towards the Pelicans. “Each expertise you reside via and also you be taught.
“That’s what we did via that have with all 82 video games this season. We discovered from each expertise and we tried to get higher from it to get higher for this second,” stated Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
The workforce has additionally confirmed to have the flexibility to bounce again, simply as Jalen Williams did within the final sport when he needed to go away early within the sport, however finally returned and ended with 21 factors, 9 rebounds and 5 assists. “I imply that’s an indication of a extremely good workforce,” expressed guard Josh Giddey. “One among your most important guys goes down, and also you usher in Cason and it feels the identical.”
Rival coach Willie Inexperienced believes that one of many Thunder’s greatest virtues comes from the defensive facet of the ground
Although the New Orleans coach has instructed his workforce that the collection wasn’t over regardless of trailing 3-0 up to now, he made positive his gamers knew that rather a lot nonetheless needed to change in the event that they hoped to win. In response to Willie Inexperienced, Oklahoma’s protection is likely one of the greatest within the league.
“They’re a great protection for a cause, and to beat this workforce we’ve got to be actually sound in our execution and after we’re not and we’re stepping into the paint and attempting to throw inside passes they’re actually good,” stated the Pelicans tactician. “They’re handsy. All of their guys, that is what they do, they’ve carried out all of it season and it harm us.”
Staff star Gilgeous-Alexander, who’s presently racing for the MVP award, believes that the Thunder’s very best quality comes from their capability to react when wanted. For instance, after trailing by 14 at halftime this weekend, they recovered rapidly.
“Basketball is a sport of runs, we all know that,” Shai stated. “We at all times say it’s a 48-minute sport and to only fear about stacking possessions. And we did so, and due to it, we received the previous few video games.”
