Six summers ago, members of the Oklahoma City Thunder spent a portion of the
2011 NBA lockout together in Lexington, Ky.,doing their best to prepare for a
66-game regular season that wouldn’t begin until Christmas. The following June,
the Kevin Durant- and Russell Westbrook-led Thunder reached the 2012 NBA Finals,
still the only title-round appearance for the franchise since it moved to the
Sooner State.
When a large contingent of New Orleans Pelicans players held a similar offseason
gathering recently on the campus of the University of Kentucky, it reminded
Wildcats Coach John Calipari of OKC’s successful approach.
“I’m sitting here saying I’ve seen this act before when I saw the Thunder come
in,” Kentucky’s accomplished sideline leader said of the Black and Blue Report
last week. “It’s kind of like they’re slowly changing the culture. They want to
put winning first (and are saying), ‘We’re all willing to do this to win. We do
not want to lose.’ That’s the first step to winning.”
This fall, New Orleans (34-48) will try to return to the Western Conference
playoffs after a two-year hiatus. With a handful of new players acquired through
free agency or the draft, the Pelicans used their Lexington trip as a way to
bond and improve chemistry and familiarity.
“You’ve got a bunch of guys that are established pros. You have some young guys
who are going to have to learn,” Calipari said of the composition of the
Pelicans’ roster. “But when they make a commitment to doing what I’m seeing
here, wow. It’s a great first step.”
Pelicans All-Stars Anthony Davis and DeMarcus Cousins played for Calipari in
college, as did forward Darius Miller. New Orleans’ new starting point guard,
Rajon Rondo, also played at Kentucky, but prior to Calipari taking over as head
coach of the Wildcats. Davis and Miller helped UK win a national championship in
2012, a few months before both were drafted by the Pelicans.
Hear University of Kentucky’s John Calipari on the Black & Blue Report
Player: DeMarcus Cousins
Player: Anthony Davis
Player: Darius Miller
Player: Rajon Rondo
Media Content:
http://www.nba.com/pelicans/news/john-calipari-sees-pelicans-voluntary-workouts-l
exington-great-first-step
Media Keywords: NBA, Sports, New Orleans Pelicans, DeMarcus Cousins, Anthony
Davis, Darius Miller, Rajon Rondo, New Orleans Pelicans
Media Thumbnail:
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Taxonomy: John Calipari, NBA, pelicans, kentucky, BBN
Story Link:
http://www.nba.com/pelicans/news/john-calipari-sees-pelicans-voluntary-workouts-l
exington-great-first-step
