OKC Thunder Star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Praises Head Coach at NBA All-Star Weekend
The Oklahoma City Thunder have shocked much of the NBA this season, exceeding expectations even after a decent performance in 2022-23.
After going from one of the worst teams in the NBA to a Play In participant in just one offseason, many OKC observers thought that the team would take another small step forward in 2023-24.
So far, however, the Thunder have taken a huge leap, amassing a 37-17 record and sitting at second place in the Western Conference at the All-Star break. After winning 40 games last season, Oklahoma City has a solid chance to hit the same win total before the month of February ends.
While the team's "big three" of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren deservedly receive much of the attention and praise for OKC's success this season, head coach Mark Daigneault has been a huge part of the team's rise to the top.
"As far as on the court... he always understands what the right thing to say is. And the things that matter, he always emphasizes. When he speaks, guys listen and guys understand that it's something that is going to make or break our team," Gilgeous-Alexander said when asked about his head coach at All-Star Weekend.
"I think that over time we've seen... not only his development, but we've seen kind of his schemes and his work coming to life and really lead this pack and steer us in the right way. We all have his respect and appreciate him."
Just 38-years-old, Daigneault has been the Thunder's head coach since the 2020-21 season, serving as an assistant coach before being promoted.
After Sam Presti and company devoted Daigneault's first two years as the team's head coach to rebuilding efforts, the former OKC Blue head coach has shown over the past two seasons that he can successfully lead a team in the regular season.
Daigneault's coaching job this year has helped vault him atop the NBA Coach of the Year betting odds, according to FanDuel. With the Thunder maintaining one of the top five offenses in the NBA and a competitive defense, it is easy to see that Daigneault has helped Oklahoma City become a competitor in the Western Conference once again.
Additionally, Gilgeous-Alexander, Williams and Holmgren are all in the running for major awards, which illustrates how Daigneault's scheme maximizes the skill sets of his best players.
If the Thunder can maintain their spot near the top of the West, it seems likely that Daigneault will bring home NBA Coach of the Year at the end of the season.
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