In the NBA, coaches – especially assistant coaches – usually do not receive much of the acclaim and credit for their team's success. However, the Oklahoma City Thunder media day proved the value of coaches, as assistant coach Chip Engelland was highly touted by a few of its players.
Engelland was signed by the Thunder before the start of the 2022-23 season, after spending time with Greg Popovich in San Antonio for 17 years. He was credited with a significant impact on the development of the likes of Kawhi Leonard and Tony Parker's 3-point shooting, becoming known as one of the league's shooting masterminds.
It was a significant hire for the young Oklahoma City team, as many of its players needed help with developing their shooting forms, including Josh Giddey.
On his 3-point shooting, "I think it's good. The big thing for me is confidence," Giddey said. He then mentioned Engelland, saying that the two have worked together pretty much every day over the offseason, which has helped the guard in improving his jumper.
Another young Thunder player – in the form of Ousmane Dieng – also worked with Engelland all summer. The sophomore forward worked to improve his physicality and 3-point shot that left much to be desired, shooting just 26.5% from deep on 2.5 attempts a game.
Dieng showed promising signs during his rookie season, but has a large amount of room in his game to improve. Through his work in the offseason, the French prospect could be much improved in the 2023-24 and potentially be an important player off the bench.
Unlike Giddey and Deing, newly-acquired Davis Bertans is a longtime veteran known for his knockdown 3-point shooting. While he hasn't reached the heights he once had in Washington – scoring over 15 points a game on 42% from 3-point range – he still shot 39% in Dallas last season.
When you are in the NBA you constantly have to improve, so Bertans will continue to work with Engelland extensively. The forward began his career in San Antonio, so the two have history together.
"I'm glad to be on the same team with [Engelland] again," Bertans said. "[He is] definitely one of the top shooting coaches in the world."
Bertans added that Engelland is the only coach that has ever allowed him to adjust or change things about his shot, which "should say a lot" about the type of coach Engelland is.
Due to Engelland's extensive history and recognition for developing players 3-point shots, he has garnered a lot of respect and trust from the league. Players can feel comfortable working with him because of his reputation, which many other coaches in the NBA don't have built.
Engelland was an important hire for Oklahoma City to make at the time, and it's now paying off in dividends for its players.
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