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Wednesday, Oct. 26, 2016 THE NORMAN TRANSCRIPT B3 THUNDER State of CABINET OKC Where the Thunder stand in the West By Fred Katz #8 Alex ABRINES (Guard/Forward) Transcript Sports Writer Ambassador to the UN Abraham Lincoln is credited with saying “I walk slowly, but I never walk backward.” hat concept of con- stant forward momentum may seem foreign to OKC fans after an ofseason where franchise founders Kevin Durant and Serge Ibaka left. But that doesn’t mean there isn’t a bright #12 Steven ADAMS (Center) future for this hunder squad. Secretary of Defense hat’s not to say the 2016-17 season isn’t go- ing to be a struggle. Rus- sell Westbrook is one of the NBA’s ive or six best players. But Westbrook and Durant were two of the league’s best. Remov- Kyle Phillips / The Transcript ing one from the equa- Andre Roberson guards DeMar DeRozan last season. Roberson is one of the holdovers from last season that will need to tion, of course, afects the step up in Durant’s absence. potency of the team. For the irst time in #6 Semaj CHRISTON the hunder’s history, (Guard) Oklahoma City fans will Secretary of Education be rooting for a team that Putting the pieces together is neither new nor a title contender. he passion By Fred Katz preseason games. Ersan minutes in coach Billy His shooting gluttony will have to stem from a Transcript Sports Writer Ilyasova, who can provide Donovan’s regular rotation. was historic. And in the diferent place than from the hunder with some And it’s Westbrook who process, he made as many where championship Presidential elections outside shooting, was in will have to smoothen the points as a loquacious aspirations come. dominate headlines. But the deal, too. transition process. ilibusterer. But a president hat doesn’t mean it’s a he, or she, is just one per- he Ibaka trade wasn’t Regardless of his local is the ultimate manager, lost year, though. Most of son. When new adminis- the only move the hunder popularity, Westbrook has someone whose greatest the OKC core is between trations take power, there’s made this summer, either. a more vital on-court job trait should be an ability to the ages of 20 and 24. plenty of important cabinet hey signed Alex this season than in any delegate. Westbrook is one of the #4 Nick COLLISON grizzled vets. (Forward) positions that change as Abrines, who they drafted other before: He has to “We obviously have some in the second round of the keep others involved. He new players,” Donovan He is, after all, the Secretary of well. Veteran’s Affairs For the hunder, Kevin 2013 NBA Draft and who knows that, too. said. “And with those leader of the (Oklahoma) Durant isn’t the only man spent the previous three “Russell is all about the new players, that kind of free world. And he’s only gone. And while Russell seasons playing profession- team,” Donovan said. “And chemistry playing together, 27 years old. Even if the Westbrook isn’t the only ally in Spain. hey brought I think his role in terms some of those things will hunder dropped a tier constant, he’s not sur- in Ronnie Price to be the of not just about him take time. But we’ve got a this summer, they’re not rounded by a group of third-string point guard, but everybody, our team great group of guys that re- hopeless in a quest to familiar advisors, either. and then subsequently re- collectively working and ally enjoy being around the climb back to the elite. Trusted cabinet member leased him. Back-up point trying to build an identity, guys that were not here last he Western Confer- Serge Ibaka, an ally of both guard Cameron Payne frac- working and building on year and getting some time ence has a clear top shelf, Westbrook and Durant, left tured a bone in his right our system, and I think he to spend with them during one the hunder were a when the hunder traded foot during training camp. obviously takes great pride the of-season. I think they part of as recently as this him to the Orlando Magic hey conducted a swap for in being a leader to help are high-quality character past June. It’s the Golden #34 Josh HUESTIS State Warriors, San (Forward) on NBA Draft night back former Denver Nuggets facilitate that.” people, and I think going in June. Victor Oladipo big man Jofrey Lauvergne, When Durant was hurt forward will give us an Antonio Spurs, and L.A. Administrator of Clippers. he rest of the Small Business and Domantas Sabonis too. a couple of seasons ago, opportunity to build their were the keys to the pack- hat’s ive new players, Westbrook packed the box connection as it relates to Western Conference pic- age. Both started all six all of whom stand to get score. playing with each other.” ture is jumbled, as teams struggle to put together healthy, competitive and complete teams. he Portland Trail Blaz- ers and Houston Rockets Thunder ‘chief of staff ’ grows in role will have two of the NBA’s most eicient ofenses, but could both inish near By Fred Katz impact on the other end. the bottom of the league #7 Ersan ILYASOVA Transcript Sports Writer Dominates Sabonis is just in defense. (Forward) a rookie, and though he he Utah Jazz could Department of As the Oklahoma City impressed during the pre- make “the leap” this Justice hunder got younger, season, unrealistic expecta- year. Utah, who won 40 coach Billy Donovan tions for a player entering games last year amidst gained experience. his irst season can leave an injury-plagued season It didn’t feel quite this evaluators disappointed. and strengthened its way when Donovan was Eyes Kanter, Ersan Ilyaso- two weakest spots, point Chief of Staf for a Western va, and Jofrey Lauvergne guard and the bench, this Conference Finalist just can provide some scoring, summer. But the Jazz’s last year, but the former but will give back points on best players have to stay Florida coach was in the the other end. on the court for that to midst of his irst NBA It’s up to Donovan to happen. Same goes for season. And he’s admitted discover balanced lineups the Memphis Grizzlies, evolution since the start of Kyle Phillips / The Transcript inside a roster that could who are loaded with tal- #11 Enes KANTER (Center) last year. Still, that doesn’t Billy Donovan grew into his role last season as a rookie easily sway one way or ent in the starting lineup, coach, pushing the Thunder deep into the playoffs. but who employ players Secretary of mean he’s changing things another. with disturbing medi- the Interior up from a season that got staf makes sure the whole this summer.” “Collectively as a coach- cal histories. he Dallas him into the inal four. thing runs smoothly. Scan the roster past ing staf we can help those Mavericks should have “Last year, everything Westbrook is respon- Steven Adams and Victor guys to continue to grow injury concerns with an was new for the irst time,” sible for moving the team Oladipo, and there’s a com- and develop and evolve,” older roster, too. Donovan said. “But I have forward. Donovan’s duty mon theme. Inside a league Donovan said. “We can put hat more than likely always been convicted on is to put the squad in the those guys in positions, where two-way players brings the hunder, a beliefs about how I think best position to make that because that’s the most rule, the hunder are stuck more defense-oriented our team needs to play and move. with plenty of ofense- or important things is putting things we’re gonna need those guys, all of our guys, team, into the middle of “I do think our roster has defense-irst threats. the mosh pit. to do well. I haven’t really in positions where they a lot of lexibility and I like Westbrook has his A win total in the mid- necessarily come with a can take their skill set and our guys a lot,” Donovan struggles guarding. Andre 40s and a seed falling #77 Jofrey LAUVERGNE diferent approach.” said. “I like their disposi- Roberson is one of the utilize their skill set and be (Center/Forward) anywhere from No. 4 or 5 he president may have tion and attitude and I like NBA’s best wing defend- efective and be produc- Secretary of to No. 7 or 8 seems most Labor to delegate, but the chief of the way they have worked ers, but he won’t make an tive.” likely. #2 Anthony MORROW #5 Victor OLADIPO #22 Cameron PAYNE #21 Andre ROBERSON #3 Domantas SABONIS #34 Kyle SINGLER (Guard) (Guard) (Guard) (Guard/Forward) (Forward) (Forward) Secretary of Secretary of Campaign Secretary of Secretary of Secretary of Commerce Energy Manager Homeland Security State the Treasury State Question State Question State Question State Question State Question State Question # 11 #12 #15 #21 #22 #34 Did Enes Kanter Can Steven What does Kyle Was all the Can Cameron Is Josh Huestis improve on Adams make the Singler have to ball-handling Payne stay healthy inally about to defense over the All-Star team? do to recover Andre Roberson and contribute on get playing time? summer? from the worst showed in the a team that needs year of his career? preseason a real him? development?.

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