NewsOK article - Oklahoma City Thunder: Becoming a Connecticut hotbed

[Nickle Night]

“We actually attempted to sign Kevin Ollie to a 10-day contract, but he was busy,” Sam Presti joked. Ollie, who was on the Thunder’s first playoff team in 2010, now is the head coach at UConn, having taken over for the iconic Calhoun.

“Funny how some of those things work, how those guys all happened to have lineage,” Presti said. “We talk a lot about the type of character we look for in players. One thing about the players from UConn, generally they’re pretty tough-minded. They’re physical guys. They’ve played in big games. and they’ve played with other elite players.

“We think a lot of that program. We also think a lot about of who’s coaching that program now. Kevin, he’s had a huge impact on the team and remains close to the organization. But it was not a deal breaker if the college experience came from a different school.”

http://newsok.com/oklahoma-city-thunder-becoming-a-connecticut-hotbed/article/3939383

 

[James]

"He's a good coach (referring to JC)" - jeremy lamb is not prone to hyperbole

 

[djct1999]

I love this article. Sam Presti is one of the best GMs in the NBA. It would not surprise me one bit to see him select Bazz to back up Westbrook. If that happens, I may move to OKC.

 

[August_West]

"He's a good coach (referring to JC)" - jeremy lamb is not prone to hyperbole

Well, in fairness to Jeremy, his last season here was probably JC's worst. That team was loaded and lost.

 

[mauconnfan]

Well, in fairness to Jeremy, his last season here was probably JC's worst. That team was loaded and lost.

Not "JC's worst" as a coach but his worst players in regards to chemistry…….was some on him and the staff? Of course but mostly on selfish kids who thought they were bigger than the program…….

 

[tykurez]

Well, in fairness to Jeremy, his last season here was probably JC's worst. That team was loaded and lost.

And also, in anti-fairness to Jeremy, his freshman year was probably one of JC's top 5.

 

[Excalibur]

Not "JC's worst" as a coach but his worst players in regards to chemistry…….was some on him and the staff? Of course but mostly on selfish kids who thought they were bigger than the program…….

The selfish antics of Oriakhi, the complete lack of on-court chemistry between Napier and Lamb, and the failure of JC and staff to manage it led to an underachieving season.

 

[metsfan2323]

and somehow the Knicks have seemed to go out of their way to avoid UCONN players. It all makes sense.

 

[Inyatkin]

Listen, Sam -- Hands off Ollie

 

[mauconnfan]

The selfish antics of Oriakhi, the complete lack of on-court chemistry between Napier and Lamb, and the failure of JC and staff to manage it led to an underachieving season.

Agree on Napier too as there were some things said that separated many……

But let's be honest many here would like to blame JC and the staff for a real bad year handling it, and some has to be on them. But there are also those who would think that JC should have played AO and Roscoe more correct? Maybe by not playing them he WAS trying to handle the situation which was getting out of hand due to lack of focus, lack of hard work, lack of teamwork and most of all the chemistry. Hard for him and the staff to do it all…….these guys were totally out of control in the way they carried themselves on the court and on the bench. Hard to blame the staff when the high percentage of returning players are rebelling!

What an awful year that was!…….


Let's stick to NOW

 

[patrick]

and somehow the Knicks have seemed to go out of their way to avoid UCONN players. It all makes sense.

I was thinking the same thing a couple weeks ago!

 

[James]

Two okc scouts in the building. Bet the house on them stealing him late in the 1st