Oklahoma Columnist, by Clay Horning

Oklahoma Columnist, by Clay Horning

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Oklahoma Columnist, by Clay Horning
Oklahoma Columnist, by Clay Horning
For OKC, SGA makes all things possible
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For OKC, SGA makes all things possible

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Clay Horning
Oct 06, 2024
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Oklahoma Columnist, by Clay Horning
Oklahoma Columnist, by Clay Horning
For OKC, SGA makes all things possible
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Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander poses for a photo during the NBA basketball team's media day, Monday, Sept. 30, 2024, in Oklahoima City (AP Photo / Kyle Phillips)

I think I could write a thousand words reasonably quickly about Sam Presti’s confounding nature.

The Thunder general manager will answer every question, go deep with every answer and yet, in the end, though you may have learned how he thinks, you’ve still learned nothing about what he thinks.

Like, right now, Oklahoma City’s the preseason pick to win the Western Conference, to represent it in the NBA Finals, yet the shock will be if Presti ever uses the phrase “championship window” or acknowledges the Thunder to be in the midst of one.

“As far as this season goes, I think the longer I do this, I realize that if we’re doing it well, we begin the season essentially staring at a blank canvas and basically starting over with a beginner’s mindset,” Presti said. “No rigid rules, not tied to certain assumptions, willing to be open and curious about whatever it is the team is going to signal to us over the course of time.”

All process.

No conclusions.

Never, EVER, expectations.

Even for a GM whose team won 57 games last season, secured the West’s No. 1 seed and figures to be still better this year.

Nonetheless, feel free to have all the expectations you might possibly risk on this team, which opens the season Oct. 24 in Denver.

Not because its time is now, but for the primary reason that it is: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.


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