Tag: Mark Daigneault

Mark Daigneault discusses Josh Giddey’s first 2 playoff games, what he’s liked from him

Mark Daigneault discusses Josh Giddey’s first 2 playoff games, what he’s liked from him.

Through two playoff games, it’s been a mixed bag of results for Josh Giddey — which is also an accurate way to describe his third season overall.

After struggling for most of the season with consistency, he had a strong finish with some of the best basketball of his career during the last month-plus of his campaign. The 21-year-old pointed to a switch of mindset for the turnaround.

In Game 1 against the New Orleans Pelicans, he was limited to two points on 1-of-6 shooting in 20 minutes. He subbed out with 10 minutes left in the contest and didn’t check back into the tight back-and-forth game.

In the Thunder’s Game 2 blowout win, Giddey was much better. He finished with 13 points, six rebounds and three assists. He was a plus-28 in 26 minutes.

Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault talked about Giddey’s first two playoff games and noted how well he’s graded out as a defender along with the playmaking he provides.

“He’s played really hard defensively. We’ve moved him around. We had him on Murphy in Game 1,” Daigneault said. “Last night he was on Murphy and a mix of Herb Jones and other guys.

“I felt last night offensively, he did a good job of helping us initiate the blender with early passes. The possession that ended with a Wiggins cut that forced the timeout for them — that possession started with him moving it out of a pick-and-roll with Chet.

“That kinda got us going. That’s what he needs to do for us. That’s really helpful for us. When he’s advancing the ball up the floor and when he’s getting the thing started for us.”

If the Thunder are going to make a deep playoff run, they’ll need the version of Giddey from Game 2 rather than Game 1 more often.

It’s been an odd fit at times, but when the third-year guard has it going, he adds another advantage for OKC as a playmaker who can finish around the rim.

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Mark Daigneault believes lengthy playoff rotation could be advantage for Thunder

Mark Daigneault believes lengthy playoffs rotation could be advantage for Thunder.

Through one playoff game, Oklahoma City Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault has stuck to his guns. The probable Coach of the Year winner spoke several times in preparation for the playoffs about not changing the team’s identity in the postseason.

Daigneault believes the regular season is meant to build a team’s identity. To drastically change that in the playoffs is a sign of wasted opportunity in the 82-game campaign.

The 39-year-old went 11 players deep in the Thunder’s close Game 1 win over the New Orleans Pelicans on Sunday. Every player played at least seven minutes in the 94-92 victory.

Daigneault talked about the unconventional approach on Monday after the playoff win. He said it allows rotation players to get game reps and stay warm in case they are needed to step up in their roles due to injuries or adjustments.

“There’s advantages to having depth,” Daigneault said. “There’s probably like a subtle pressure to cut it down arbitrarily but they all played well last night. … You never know what a series is gonna deal you in terms of the hand you have to play.

“If we (played) eight guys last night, and we had to pivot to one of the other three or four that didn’t play. Now you’re like dusting them off. They haven’t gotten in a game yet. They haven’t touched the floor yet. They haven’t gotten a taste yet. And now you’re going to them and it’s somewhat reactive.”

Daigneault also added none of the 11 players who checked into the playoff contest for the Thunder was an obvious weakness, saying all contributed in their ways.

“I didn’t think there was a guy in the game that was like red alarm,” Daigneault said. “I understand there’s norms but we want to expose ourselves to being the best team we can be. We’re willing to do things a little differently.”

As the Thunder go deeper into the playoffs, Daigneault’s approach could be tested. Playoff rotations usually shorten the more wins teams collect. Through the first game, his philosophy has paid off.

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Mark Daigneault named a finalist for 2023-24 Coach of the Year award

Mark Daigneault nominated for 2023-24 Coach of the Year award.

The NBA announced its award finalists for the 2023-24 season on Sunday. The Oklahoma City Thunder had several representatives among the groups.

Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault was named a finalist for the Coach of the Year award. This shouldn’t be surprising: The 39-year-old won the NBCA’s version of the award voted among his peers.

In his fourth season as the head coach, Daigneault led OKC as it became the youngest top seed in league history. The Thunder finished 57-25, a 17-win jump from last season’s 40-42 record.

Other finalists are Chris Finch and Jamahl Mosley. The 2023-24 Coach of the Year award will be announced during the 2024 NBA playoffs.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Chet Holmgren were named finalists for MVP and Rookie of the Year honors, respectively.

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Mark Daigneault discusses playoff series against Pelicans, Zion Williamson’s absence

Mark Daigneault discusses playoff series against Pelicans, Zion Williamson’s absence.

After nearly a week of waiting, the Oklahoma City Thunder finally learned their first-round opponent will be the New Orleans Pelicans following the play-in tournament.

Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault talked about the matchup following Saturday’s practice. It was the final practice before the start of the playoffs for the first-seeded Thunder.

“They’ve strung together a really good year again. A team we have our respect for,” Daigneault said on the Pelicans. “I’m expecting a huge challenge for this series,”

The short-handed Pelicans will likely play the first round without Zion Williamson. The two-time All-Star suffered a hamstring strain in their play-in tournament loss to the Los Angeles Lakers.

It’s a massive blow that can alter the series. After battling health issues the last two years, Williamson has enjoyed a career season. He’ll miss at least two weeks.

Against the Lakers, Williamson scored a season-high 40 points before his leg injury. Without him, the Pelicans will rely on Brandon Ingram and C.J. McCollum to make up for their best player’s absence.

“It changes them significantly. He’s just such a unique player,” Daigneault said about Wiliamson’s absence.” There’s a really good version of them without him and there’s a really good version with him.

“I think they become a little bit more space-oriented, pick-and-roll oriented on offense. Defensively, they’re more light-sized and they do a lot more switching.”

The Thunder will enter the series fully healthy and rested. Meanwhile, the short-handed Pelicans are fresh off two highly intense postseason matchups.

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Jamahl Mosley praises Mark Daigneault for NBCA Coach of the Year award

Jamahl Mosley praises Mark Daigneault for NBCA Coach of the Year award.

After winning the NBCA’s Coach of the Year, Oklahoma City Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault was prideful of the award. It was a sign of respect from his peers: The 30 NBA head coaches voted on the award.

Daigneault also will likely receive the wider known Coach of the Year award bestowed by the NBA. The 39-year-old helped the young Thunder become one of the best teams in the league. OKC finished as the youngest first seed in league history this season.

Orlando Magic head coach Jamahl Mosley experienced similar success with his young squad. The Magic finished 47-35 and with the fifth seed.

Mosley, who signed an extension this season, will likely finish as a runner-up for the award. He offered Daigneault praise on the NBCA award.

“I think he’s done a phenomenal, phenomenal job down there with those guys,” Mosley said. “The way in which they play, the style that they play won. How they execute, how they’re detailed, how they’re prepared for every single game. He’s done such a fantastic job for them.”

Both the Thunder and Magic hope to make noise in the playoffs. They’ve been two of the best young squads in the league and have broken out this season.

Editor’s note: RookieWire’s Cody Taylor contributed to this article.

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Mark Daigneault addresses winning NBCA’s 2023-24 Coach of the Year award

Mark Daigneault addresses winning NBCA’s 2023-24 Coach of the Year award.

Oklahoma City Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault was announced as the NBCA’s winner for 2023-24 Coach of the Year.

In his fourth season as the head coach, Daigneault led OKC to the youngest top seed in league history. The Thunder finished with a 57-25 record, a 17-win jump from last season’s 40-42 record.

The traditional Coach of the Year honor has not been announced, but Daigneault is likely the favorite to win that award. Following the Thunder’s practice on Wednesday, the 39-year-old talked about the achievement.

“I’m humbled. Great respect and admiration for other coaches. Any time you’re recognized by your peers, there’s something meaningful about that,” Daigneault said. “… (It) starts with the players but then all of the people in the organization. All the invisible work that gets done the team benefits from. In this case, I get singled out for it.

“Certainly humbled and grateful for the recognition but at the same time wanting to make sure I spread that back out.”

Daigneault has always been passive about receiving credit for the job he’s done since being promoted to Thunder head coach in 2020. As OKC ascends to one of the best squads in the league, it was only fair to assume he’d also get recognized for the job he’s done to turn around the franchise.

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Report: Mark Daigneault named NBCA’s 2023-24 Coach of the Year

Report: Mark Daigneault named NBCA’s 2023-24 Coach of the Year.

After the Oklahoma City Thunder finished with a 57-25 record and first place in the Western Conference standings, head coach Mark Daigneault has won the NBCA’s Coach of the Year award, per ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.

In his fourth season as the head coach, Daigneault led OKC to the youngest first seed in league history. An impressive jump from last season where they fell a win shy of making the playoffs.

It’s important to note that this is the Coaches Association’s award. The traditional Coach of the Year has not been announced yet, but odds are Daigneault will also be the winner.

Each NBA head coach votes for a single winner for the NBCA’s award named for the late Michael Goldberg.

The Thunder will enter the playoffs with the young core of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren headlining the young roster. It’ll be the first of presumably many playoff runs with this trio.

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LeBron James praises Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault

LeBron James praises Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault.

For the second straight week, Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James praised the Oklahoma City Thunder.

In a teaser for the second episode of his “Mind the Game” podcast, James talked highly of Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault with co-host JJ Redick.

Redick asked James if he had spent time with Daigneault, which he said he hasn’t but that didn’t stop the future Hall-of-Famer from recognizing how special of an upcoming head coach he is.

“He’s on his s–t,” James said. “He’s young, too.”

This comes a week after James spoke highly of the Thunder’s ability to draft, mentioning how he’ll want a talented front office with an eye to scout if his aspirations of being an NBA owner materialize in his post-playing career.

“I tell you what, when I get my (NBA) team, the teams that draft well, those guys will be working for me for sure,” James said. “OKC does an unbelievable job.”

The Thunder were a constant title threat in the 2010s due to Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook being homegrown superstars. It looks like another lengthy window of contention has opened for OKC with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Chet Holmgren and Jalen Williams.

Daigneault has grown with this current core. After being hired in 2020, the 39-year-old has blossomed into one of the best coaches in the league and has a real shot at winning Coach of the Year this season.

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Mark Daigneault praises Josh Giddey for recent string of games

Mark Daigneault praises Josh Giddey for recent string of games.

One of the biggest storylines involving the Oklahoma City Thunder this season has been the inconsistency of Josh Giddey. Throughout the season, he’s had rough stretches that have shortened his playing time.

The 21-year-old has been asked to make arguably the biggest role adjustment among the starters with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams blossoming into OKC’s top ballhandlers.

This has caused Giddey to have awkward stretches though he has found his stride these past four games. He’s averaged 13.3 points on 62.2% shooting, 5.3 rebounds and 4.8 assists. He’s shot 45.5% from 3 on 2.8 attempts and is a plus-3.5 on his time on the court.

These are much better averages compared to his season stats, which have been among the lowest of his three-year career in most categories.

When asked about Giddey’s recent play, Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault praised his string of games and cautioned it’s part of the ebbs and flows of a long regular season.

“He’s has had a great week. He’s really competing at a high level. I think his floor game has had great balance, he’s obviously playing with a lot of aggressiveness and confidence,” Daigneault said. “Players are in different seasons in their career.

“He’s having a small breakthrough right now with the way he is playing. Obviously, he’s had an up-and-down season, which is normal for any professional, especially one that is 21 years old and in his third year.

“I think some of the pop you are seeing right now is a result of some of the adversity or plateau that he’s had to overcome. I think it’s important to keep in mind with all of our players. They’re not going to be a perpetual linear ascent. It’s the NBA, it’s really hard and he’s the latest example of that.”

With a little over a month left before the regular season ends, the Thunder hope Giddey can keep this momentum going. Especially in the playoffs where opposing teams will likely target him on both ends of the floor.

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Mark Daigneault nominated for February’s Western Conference Coach of the Month

Mark Daigneault nominated for February’s Western Conference Coach of the Month.

The NBA announced its recipients for February’s Coach of the Month awards, and Oklahoma City Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault was nominated. This is the fourth straight month he’s been nominated for the award.

The Thunder are 42-18 and in first place in the Western Conference standings. After finishing second in Coach of the Year voting last season, Daigneault continues his ascension as one of the best head coaches in the league.

Daigneault helped lead the Thunder to an 8-3 record in February. Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr won the award. Other nominees were Chris Finch, Darvin Ham, Jason Kidd and Michael Malone. The East winner was Miami Heat’s Erik Spoelstra.

The Thunder had two other nominees for the league’s monthly awards: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander for Player of the Month and Chet Holmgren for Rookie of the Month.

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