Q: Which player currently in the NBA reminds you of yourself when you played? - Chris McAfee, Edmond. A: It's obviously not LeBron (James). That's a hard question, but I would maybe say Derek Fisher. I like the way he brings toughness. He believes in team. I've never coached him or played alongside him, but he seems to bring energy and respects the game on and off the court. Q: Besides Kevin Durant or Jeff Green, who would you feel comfortable taking a last-second, game-winning shot? - Titus, Lawton.
A: I don't care who makes it. I just want a player to make the right decision. If Kevin has the ball and drives it hard and has an open shot, the game tells you he has to take it. But if he's covered the game tells you to pass it. Michael Jordan was one of the best ever in that situation. There were many times he kicked it off to Steve Kerr or John Paxson. What's most important is to make the right play.
Q: How much input do you have into personnel decisions that GM Sam Presti makes? - Anthony Francisco, Oklahoma City.
A: Sam and I have conversations daily about everything. We're on the same page as to what type of player we like to have. Those are the type of players we talk about and try to bring in here with the draft or free agency. We stress being good teammates. That's very important to our organization. I love the fact Sam has given me this opportunity.
Q: What is your reaction that many analysts say the Thunder is a team on the rise? - Mike Johnson, Tulsa.
A: I'm proud of how we do things. I'm not saying every team should do it this way, but Clay (Bennett) and our ownership group is committed to having a first-class organization. Sam is one of the best at what he does. We love to be in the gym with our players that are committed to working hard. They want to get better.
Q: What has been the biggest surprise to you and your team about the city of Oklahoma City or Oklahoma in general? - Jason Forrest, Oklahoma City.
A: The excitement of the fans. Everybody in the country knows this is a football state, but the fans love Basketball. It's a big sports state. They love competition. They love the Thunder . You could see that when most every game was close to a sellout and the support they gave us all season.
