After facing their pre-game warm-ups, talking about the game plan in the locker room and curled up in the hallway, the Thunder players in the Orlando bubble get stuck, as usual. Muscle memory is so familiar: it’s the same routine at home and on the go.
As the confusion stops, they rush into a single line of files. A couple of basketballs are bounced with push dribbles, the heads emerge from the tunnel and the bright lights that flood the arena flash in their eyes. The sound they hear, however, is deafening silence.
“I’m so used to getting out of that tunnel and then if we’re at home, to see all the fans,” said striker Darius Bazley.
“The hard part, I think, was running out,” said Thunder Point guard and NBPA president Chris Paul. “It’s one of those things that many guys on the team say,” bring your energy. “
Even before the Thunder started playing scrimmages in Orlando, point guard Dennis Schröder said the team will miss Thunder fans in the bubble, calling the OKC faithful the best in the league. For a team that has one of the most distinct advantages of the home field and historically it was also a huge attraction for the street crowds, the background music and the light talk in the bubble at the beginning were a little out of tune.
It even prompted Steven Adams to insolently consider keeping his thoughts to himself when he’s on the ground, noting that players who often manage to get away by letting off steam behind a referee’s back don’t have that luxury now.
“You could see a sharper and more technical foul because they can hear what the players say,” smiled Adams.
Just like the rest of their time in Orlando, however, Thunder took all potential obstacles and dealt with them with grace and opportunism. Gratitude flowed from Thunder players, acknowledging the manual labor of the workers and the decision-making by the leadership that was needed to put the bubble together. When challenges arose, Thunder exploited them as opportunities to simply recognize them as reality and improve them.
As a result, the lack of ambient sound on the floor was a push for Thunder players to step forward and be loud, and to feel mutually responsible with their communications on the floor.
“When you don’t speak, you can hear silence on the pitch,” said Bazley.
Whether it’s defense and Thunder is trying to get the right cover or attack and players are getting into the correct position with the ideal spacing, being able to talk about it makes a big difference. Indeed, in Thunder’s first scrimmage game against Boston, a 98-84 win, an OKC player dictated the flow of action completely.
“There’s nobody else here and Chris Paul has dominated the game with his voice,” said Celtics coach Brad Stevens.
“One of (Paul) ‘s greatest strengths is that he is an incredible communicator,” said Billy Donovan, Head Coach Thunder. “And he has many years of experience behind him and the fact that you keep talking, I think it gives confidence to the other guys to keep talking. So in this type of location, where there won’t necessarily be a lot of crowd noise, communication is really very critical. “
PLAY HARD.
STAY TOGETHER. pic.twitter.com/eCqSp5K5SV
– OKC THUNDER (@okcthunder) July 25, 2020
During the three Thunder scrimmages that preceded Saturday’s seeding game against Utah Jazz, the Thunder prioritized their chatter on the floor. He spoke through every possession to help produce stops on defense and generate the best attack shot possible.
“Communication, especially on a defensive level, will be fundamental especially considering the fact that everyone will hear us in the gym,” said Danilo Gallinari. “So the strongest team will have an advantage.”
“Everyone has done a great job of adapting to that new environment,” said guard Andre Roberson, who had even more to adapt to than the rest of his teammates as he returned to gameplay for the first time in two years and half.
It’s nice to be back !! # AllPraiseToTheMostHigh # OnlyTheBeginning https://t.co/pxjCZZVS7N
– Andre Roberson (@ FlyDre21) July 30, 2020
Equally vital as direction and strategic communication is the enthusiasm and support that flowed from the bench. It started in that game of Celtics with the hoarse ovation that the bench gave Roberson when he checked in for the first time, continued through the Thunder’s 24-point scrimmage victory over Philadelphia and in a Blazer bombing Tuesday which featured 20 three-point pointers and 85 bench points.
“Our group is really good at supporting each other,” said Donovan. “The involvement on the bench is important for us because I think it raises the spirits of the boys, especially if things don’t go well.”
The energy that comes out of the seats next to the courtyard has been a hallmark of this team of thunder since October and despite a four month hiatus, that connection and camaraderie are still there.
“This is the secret of chemistry and the secret of success for this regular season,” said Gallinari.
Mike Muscala joins the pod and talks about hitting links with Steven Adams.
Podcast of Thunder Basketball Universe
| https://t.co/uSxiIxhvsY pic.twitter.com/kLvxiFzYCs– OKC THUNDER (@okcthunder) July 30, 2020
