The brotherhood displayed by the Oklahoma City Thunder was very present throughout the year. It’s clear how close-knit this group was, from postgame barks to arguing with one another during their media opportunities.
Sam Presti, the Thunder’s general manager, rated OKC’s science in a similar way. In his analysis, he compared the science of this squad to that of earlier periods like “Thunder U” and “Stache Bros.”
Presti actually made an intriguing story about Russell Westbrook that he felt compelled to share with him a few years later.
“I’ll give you a humorous account on this. The Statute of Limitations has been passed. It’s truly my personal Statute of Limitations,” Presti joked. “We were playing San Antonio in the playoffs, and it was at this incredibly odd moment when the NBA started regulating the attire, and they were even beginning to market the clothes.”
So it seemed like they were calling us and threatening to great us, but the advertising team was showing photographs of Russell entering.
Westbrook is regarded as one of the most well-known fashion icons of the most recent NBA period. He’s garnered a lot of attention for just his game’s attire.
They seemed to be trying to help us, I thought. They called me the day of a playoff game in San Antonio, which was either the second round or the Western Conference Finals, and I was told,” You need to talk to Westbrook about what he’s wearing, “Presti said. I go, ‘It’s the day of a playoff activity. I’m not sure what the person is wearing, but he might have some cowboy hats and lads. But we’re on the road … He’s certainly never walking in in trousers. I can tell you that. He may never perform.”‘
“So I waited. They really made us feel uncomfortable when they said, “We’re going to fine you guys if he doesn’t do this.” — I thought it was kind crazy.”
Presti came up with a brilliant idea to humorously express the team’s message to Westbrook while he was waiting.
“So I called Ray Westbrook, his nephew. I said, ‘I need you to get me an dress of Russell’s,'” Presti said. “So I dressed up in one of Russell’s — a strapless veiled sweater, leather pants, and a golden — he had this metal bear necklace, which when I picked it up, it was so low — I was like, ‘Russ, come on, man. I know what you make.'”
Presti described it as a wonderful change from a long postseason run. He noted that the Thunder were a major team in the final game that year.
Because the staff was so focused and focused, the party is focused. This was Adams, Derek Fisher, Durant, Westbrook, Ibaka. “It’s never a bowl of strawberries in there every day, and that’s why this particular group was nice,” Presti said. “But I walked in wearing Russell’s clothes and didn’t really break character and was just like, ‘Guys, we’ve got to talk about the dress code.'”
Presti’s are generally much — this year’s lasted over 2.5 hours— but they’re for the listen to just for the odd interesting story like this. In a results-focused industry, it exhibits a relevant quality to Presti and the people.