Ferguson and Schroder Have Support of the Thunder

Thunder players had some tough decisions to make when deciding to play or not during the NBA restart.

Anyone who has spent extended time away from home for work understands the tremendous burden it can be on families. You couldn't have blamed Dennis Schroder and Terrance Ferguson had they chosen to stay home vs. join their teammates in Orlando. 

Ferguson is the father of a young daughter while Schroder has a 17-month-old son and a wife about to give birth. Both men feel an obligation to the Thunder's success, however, they also understand that family comes first. 

Schroder will leave the bubble to be with his wife when she is in labor. 

"For me, it's tough. I love my teammates. I love basketball, but the family comes first."..."I tried to make something happen with the organization, I sacrificed a lot for my team, but like I said we still got to get on the same page, then I can see my family when the baby is coming, and we going to make it work."

Billy Donovan says Schroder has the full support of the orgization.

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He's going to do and make decisions that are best for his family."...."And whatever those decisions are, as a coach, I'm going to support them, and I know our team will support them.

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"A normal season, this would've taken place in the offseason, so this is unique."..."And then you're talking about having to be quarantined and separated from your son and from your wife, there's a lot on these guys' plates."... "And the best thing we can do for Dennis is support him when that time comes for him to make a decision." 

Ferguson wanted to be back with his teammates but is missing his daughter's growth while he is on the road. Ferguson tries to call her at least three times a day but says both are "blowing each other's phones up" to stay in touch. "That girl she's something special."

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With more than 20 years of experience hosting local and national radio shows, Erik Gee is a fixture of Oklahoma sports media. He has covered the Oklahoma City Thunder for the past six seasons. He is also the co-host of the Pat Jones show on 97.1 The Sports Animal in Tulsa.