The Thunder have been somewhat under the radar all season long. When the franchise traded Paul George and Russell Westbrook to the Los Angeles Clippers and Houston Rockets, most assumed the franchise was heading to the lottery and beginning a lengthy rebuild.
Instead, and perhaps improbably, they’re in Orlando.
All reports indicate that the squad is getting after it in practice with both head coach Billy Donovan and reserve guard Dennis Schroder among those having positive sentiments about the first week in Florida.
Count Danilo Gallinari among them, as well.
On Wednesday, after practice, Gallinari addressed reporters from Orlando and, per Nick Gallo of OKCThunder.com, let it be known that the Thunder are in Walt Disney World with their minds set on doing something special. In some ways, his words are reminiscent of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s bringing a three-month supply of clothes with him to Central Florida.
From Gallinari:
“We are we are hungry. We want to get to work. We’re here for basketball and also for many, many other reasons that of course everybody knows. So we have a lot of goals, being here.”
In other words, the club hasn’t gone through the trouble of leaving their families behind simply for an extended vacation.
Danilo Gallinari after practice today: "We are we are hungry. We want to get to work. We're here for basketball and also for many, many other reasons that of course everybody knows. So we have a lot of goals, being here."
— Nick Gallo (@nickgallo22) July 16, 2020
The comments from Gallinari are consistent with remarks he made a few weeks ago. The soon-to-be 32-year-old will be a free agent after the season concludes and many others in his situation would have possibly considered sitting of Orlando competition.
Gallinari, though, believes the Thunder have a shot at winning the whole thing. So he never considered not showing up.
“Every time we step on the court and we know that we have those three hours in the gym, we just want to get better. We love playing with each other spending time with each other in the gym.”
Gallinari continued: "Every time we step on the court and we know that we have those three hours in the gym, we just want to get better. We love playing with each other spending time with each other in the gym."
— Nick Gallo (@nickgallo22) July 16, 2020
The team — Gallinari included — seems to be counting down the days until they begin exhibition play on July 24.