The Thunder’s Success: Construction, Humility, and a Historic Title
The photograph in the office of Sam Presti, executive of the Oklahoma City Thunder, is a constant reminder. In it, Bill Walsh, legendary American football coach, lies on the ground, seemingly at peace, preparing for a Super Bowl. This image has served as an inspiration for Presti during his management of the Thunder, but at the crucial moment, prior to the seventh game of the NBA Finals against the Indiana Pacers, Presti opted for a different approach: playing the drums. In music, Presti found the essence of what he had built: the learning from the era of Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook, and James Harden, and the rebuilding around Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams, and Chet Holmgren. Presti’s mind is always focused on building, except when he immerses himself in music, a space where he accesses a different part of his brain, crucial for the team’s success. The similarity between the two teams is notable: young, with a dominant point guard and a skilled power forward. However, Presti sought humility instead of ego. The first three superstars eventually needed more space to grow, while the Thunder’s current three stars enjoy sharing the spotlight, involving the whole team in celebrations and interviews.This philosophy of unity extends on and off the court, creating an environment of fun and camaraderie. This team is young, but has achieved the unthinkable: winning an NBA championship in less than 50 years. Williams, at 23 years old, and the rest of the team showed that youth is not an impediment to success. Presti remembers the 2012 Finals, and everything he has learned from them. In his office, phrases such as “CHARACTER IS DESTINY”, “TO BUILD IS IMMORTAL” and “AGILITY IS THE QUALITY OF AN OPTIMIST” stand out. These phrases, inspired by various sources, reflect his philosophy of construction. Presti seeks to understand how things are created and focuses on the people who make them possible. The key is in the preparation, and in the belief in youth and maturity. In the past, Presti focused on maximizing the performance of his stars, but this time, he realized the maturity and potential of the team. “They are young, but their maturity, altruism and true mutual love are truly unique and special,” Presti stated. In Presti’s office, there is a picture of Jalen Williams. Mark Daigneault, the coach, has been key in this process. Presti prepared him to lead the reconstruction, drawing inspiration from the way RC Buford and Gregg Popovich prepared Presti at the San Antonio Spurs. Daigneault valued the importance of the team’s origins, taking the players to the place where they began training, as an exercise in motivation and recognition. Daigneault recalls a line from Christopher Walken in the movie “Poolhall Junkies”: “SOMETIMES THE LION HAS TO SHOW THE JACKALS WHO’S BOSS.” The summer of 2019 marked the end of an era and the beginning of another. Presti, after trading Westbrook and George, obtained Gilgeous-Alexander and a series of draft picks that fueled the reconstruction. Presti didn’t imagine that Gilgeous-Alexander would become MVP. He remembered the first day he saw him training, without team equipment. That image, along with Gilgeous-Alexander’s perseverance, is a symbol of his success. Gilgeous-Alexander, known for his style, learned from his mother the importance of image and representation. In the decisive game, he prioritized victory over appearance, demonstrating his total commitment. Presti’s office, inspired by Henry David Thoreau’s cabin, is a space for reflection and simplicity. A place to think without overthinking, a refuge from lessons learned and a space to build differently, with the aim of enduring.“Jalen Williams… is a once-in-a-lifetime player. Without him, without his performances, without his great moments, without his shot, his defense, everything he brings to this team, we don’t win this championship without him. This is as much my MVP as it is his.”
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
