OKLAHOMA CITY — Most injury bugs wait until the middle of the season to bother people. Oklahoma City Thunder.
This time it attacked in off-season.
No. 2 overall draft pick Chet Holmgren After sustaining a foot injury in December, he was forced to withdraw from the season. He is now the top returning scorer Shai Gilgeous-Alexander A sprained ligament in his left leg will cause him to miss at most a few weeks.
These injuries received a lot of attention Monday at Oklahoma City’s media conference.
Gilgeous Alexander averaged 24.5 point, 5.0 rebound and 5.9 assist last season before being forced to stop due to a sore right foot. He scored at least 30 percent in 10 games, scoring 30.4 points on 54% shooting after the All Star break.
After recovering from his ankle injury, he was injured during a recent exercise and felt stiff in his knee. An MRI revealed a grade 2-MCL sprain. Although he is expected to miss preseason, it’s possible that he will be available for the season opener.
Gilgeous-Alexander stated Monday that she feels a lot better. “I am sure we are heading in the right direction. We’ll be able to see what the timetable is.
Monday was not just about injured players. Forward Darius BazleyBefore breaking a bone on his right knee, he averaged 10.8 and 6.3 points per game. He also gained 208 and 220 pounds, and his jersey number was changed from 7 to 55.
Guard Tre MannLast season’s average of 10.4 points per contest, he came in with several new tattoos that were spread over a much more muscular arm.
There are also other rookies who are ready to shine.
Frenchman Ousmane DiengThe New Zealand Breakers’ 6-foot-10 forward, averaged 8.9 points per game and 3.2 rebounds last season. Jalen WilliamsA 6-6 guard, he averaged 18 and 4.2 points last season as a Santa Clara junior. Jaylin WilliamsArkansas’ 6-10, 220-pound forward averaged 10.9 rebounds and 9.8 points per game last season.
They will make players like second-year forwards more accountable. Aaron Wiggins Training camp is a time for them to be at their best.
Wiggins stated that “guys will be really gritty and really aggressive with a mindset to kinda prove themselves,” Everyone has something to prove. This calls for a highly competitive training camp. It will be fun. We’ll all get to see each other and find out where we fit in.
GIDDEY UP
Josh Giddey After being named to the All-Rookie Second Team last season, has high hopes.
The Australian guard averaged 12.5 rebounds, 7.8 points and 6.4 assists per games last season. He was named Western Conference rookies of the month four times. Just before he was forced to retire due to a sore right leg, he recorded three straight triple-doubles.
He was aware that he still had work to do this summer. The 19-year old made only 26.3% of his 3 points last season.
“I spent a lot on obviously focusing in areas I need improve at — shooting, in the weigh room a lot,” said he.
DORT RETURNS
After increasing his scoring output from 14.0 to 17.2 points per game two years ago, Guard Lu Dort signed an extension to his contract.
He was able to have surgery in March on the labrum injury in his left shoulder and is now ready to play this season. He expressed his desire to make better decisions when he approaches the basket.
As he enters his fourth year, he wants to be a more effective leader.
“I can play a bigger part, but I just need to be a bit more vocal,” he stated. “Just by the fact that I have been through some the same stuff as the young men, I feel like a helper and can talk to them about all of that.
O, CANADA
Canada’s national team was led by Gilgeous Alexander, who scored 32 points against Dominican Republic.
He said, “I was able to play with some of the guys that I grew up with,” It helped me to be a bit stronger going into the summer. The games are always different.