The Oklahoma City Thunder held practice on Monday and it was one of the more eventful ones yet.
Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault, Josh Giddey and newcomer Isaiah Joe spoke with the media following their practice.
On the practice floor, shooting coach Chip Engelland gave Jeremiah Robinson-Earl some pointers and Darius Bazley — who is eligible for a rookie extension until the end of the day — was spotted talking to Thunder general manager Sam Presti.
Let’s take a look at some of the more noteworthy quotes and paraphrases from Monday’s practice as the team prepares to open their 2022-23 regular season against the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Here at the Thunder practice facility pic.twitter.com/IiOnJdWOaN
— Clemente Almanza (@CAlmanza1007) October 17, 2022
SGA putting up some shots pic.twitter.com/TKoOSIdUkc
— Clemente Almanza (@CAlmanza1007) October 17, 2022
Josh Giddey working on his FTs with Chip Engelland pic.twitter.com/4t78AxZXiV
— Clemente Almanza (@CAlmanza1007) October 17, 2022
SGA shooting from outside pic.twitter.com/w8WAsHNddt
— Clemente Almanza (@CAlmanza1007) October 17, 2022
Kenrich Williams & Tre Mann working together pic.twitter.com/ZVe9CEiEFv
— Clemente Almanza (@CAlmanza1007) October 17, 2022
It’s Isaiah Joe pic.twitter.com/tXsVywRXDb
— Clemente Almanza (@CAlmanza1007) October 17, 2022
Chip Engelland giving JRE some shooting lessons pic.twitter.com/dbj1CZxcma
— Clemente Almanza (@CAlmanza1007) October 17, 2022
Sam Presti & Darius Bazley talking after practice
The Thunder have until 5 pm CT to extend Baze pic.twitter.com/vQnPfijrzv
— Clemente Almanza (@CAlmanza1007) October 17, 2022
Isaiah Joe on how much Vince Rozman factored into him signing with the Thunder: “He’s the man… I want to give him a lot of credit because he definitely put in a lot of great words for me.” pic.twitter.com/bzAQeDlweS
— Clemente Almanza (@CAlmanza1007) October 17, 2022
Isaiah Joe on being NBA teammates with his former high school teammate Jaylin Williams: “It’s crazy. It’s a small world, isn’t it?”
Also said J-Will didn’t pick up his phone when he called him 💀
It also sounds like he’s got the JDub & JWill nicknames down pic.twitter.com/KIDkH8yu1P
— Clemente Almanza (@CAlmanza1007) October 17, 2022
Josh Giddey on Sunday’s practice: “Yesterday was pretty competitive. We got up and down a fair bit… We played a pretty long scrimmage. Guys got after it, it was really good.”
— Clemente Almanza (@CAlmanza1007) October 17, 2022
Josh Giddey on SGA practicing: “It’s been great. Obviously, he’s been missed. It’s good to have him back out there practicing with us. Continuing to put that chemistry in the backcourt with him is important for what we’re doing. Love playing with him.”
— Clemente Almanza (@CAlmanza1007) October 17, 2022
Josh Giddey said he was able to catch up with Isaiah Joe yesterday and that he’s somewhat familiar with him due to playing against him in Summer League: “We know what he can do. Shoots the ball really well. Excited to get him on the floor with us.”
— Clemente Almanza (@CAlmanza1007) October 17, 2022
Mark Daigneault on Isaiah Joe: “Excited. He’s a really nice guy. I never met him until yesterday. He’s a guy our scouts and people have liked for some time. He obviously has an elite skill and he’s also on the timeline of the team.”
— Clemente Almanza (@CAlmanza1007) October 17, 2022
Mark Daigneault talks about Jaylin Williams & Isaiah Joe being high school teammates
Said he asked them if they ever lost a high school, which they did in the state championship: “It was a sore subject.” pic.twitter.com/PkoyZRRsu0
— Clemente Almanza (@CAlmanza1007) October 17, 2022
Mark Daigneault said today’s practice was more skill & film after having hard practices the last two days
— Clemente Almanza (@CAlmanza1007) October 17, 2022
