re: OKC coach receives Coach of Year award

I think Presti was learning the ropes when NBA changed the tax structure. He assumed if they dipped into tax too early he’d lose top players - this was back when he made the Harden trade.

He miscalculated and that trade upset KD which I think was why KD left when they were ahead of GS 3-1 and blew it.

Another early mistake he made was keeping Scotty Brooks too long. I think he found it hard to fire him because they were winning more games each year. But I contend they won so much in spite of coach not because of him - they had the talent. By the time he brought Billy in those players had their bad habits - one was RW needing to take less shots. Scotty had no system it was just get it to his stars.

Then Billy had to come in and try and win with a system which was hard to break old habits. That caught up vs GS.

So Billy was asked to stay but said he didn’t want to be part of a rebuild. I think that was a mistake because again, Presti is genius at finding talent. Now look at where they are and where Billy is.

But Mark is different because he grew up in the Thunder system. He bid his time but knows all the players. He coached them and worked on systems and plays from day 1 which is different than Scotty at same point in time. He benched them early in career if needed. He’s young and players relate to him, they listen and learn and respond.

Mark earned this award. He really does have all of them sharing and caring about the system. Gets them to make the extra pass for good of team over self. As a group they are close. They play team ball

The challenge Presti will have is what to do next year. Of course if they win it all it matters less but thats not likely to happen. So, who does he trade? Giddy? To bring in a top player he’ll need to give up a good player plus pick/s. Can’t draft all he has theres not room. So this off season will be interesting as to get a good player to round out the team he’ll have to give up something.

I wonder if he’s learned that your window is only open so long. When he unloaded Harden he did it with intent to protect the team long term but learned that was a mistake. So will he pounce on a high level trade to get to the next level? And whoever he brings in will have to mesh with young players.

He is in a better spot with his HC in place, and so many young players. But he’ll need to act to get to that next level. Thats going to make off season interesting