On Sunday, the 127-101 victory over the Brooklyn Nets was the final calling card for OKC’s head coach, Mark Daigneault, to receive All-Star coaching duties. The Thunder hold the best record (35-7) in the West as they continue to run away with it. The Cleveland Cavaliers are replicating their own dominance over in the East. With Daigneault’s newest coaching honor, he’ll be OKC’s first All-Star head coach since Scott Brooks was in 2014.
OKC’s Mark Daigneault Earns First-Time All-Star Coaching Honor
OKC’s 35-7 Record Awards Mark Daigneault Chance to Coach the Leagues’ Best
Sure, many believe the NBA All-Star game to be a joke these days, and that’s hard to argue against. That’s why the NBA decided to change things up this year: to elevate the competition and create a better basketball game. Unfortunately, the new format has drawn just about as much ire and grief as previous years, most importantly, from several superstar players. Anthony Davis and Kevin Durant are among those who have come out and stated disappointment with the league’s proposed updated version of the All-Star game.
Nevertheless, being named an All-Star carries different value than playing in the game today. As for coaching, being named an All-Star coach is an honor and privilege. Today, that honor and privilege belong to Daigneault, thanks to his outstanding job with the Thunder. He expressed gratitude for his first-ever, and likely not his final, All-Star head coaching responsibilities.
“An honor. A huge thank you to all the people that are behind the scenes in the organization that work with the players, not only this season, but in previous seasons,” Daigneault told Oklahoma City’s sideline reporter Nick Gallo. “This has been a build, and a lot of people have their fingerprints on that.”
Daigneult will be coaching some of the league’s most talented players and possibly one or two of history’s best. Depending on how the rosters flesh out, he could coach Lebron James, Steph Curry, or Durant—an opportunity of that magnitude that has to make the gig even better.
How It All Works
While the second head coach has yet to be officially named, it will be Kenny Atkinson. He’s led the Cavaliers to a remarkable 35-6 record, bettering the Boston Celtics. As for Daigneault, his coaching staff will also reap the benefits of the Thunders’ exceptional regular season so far. Assistant coaches Dave Bliss, Mike Wilkes, David Akinyooye, and the rest of OKC’s coaching ranks will lead a second All-Star squad, with one of them taking on bench boss duties.
Daigneault will be one of two head coaches to lead in the NBA’s revamped version. The new format will feature a mini-tournament with four teams and three games. Three teams will consist of NBA players. The fourth team will be the champion of the Castrol Rising Stars competition. That contest takes place on February 14th, the Friday of the All-Star weekend.
Previewing the Future
Who knows whether this new format changes the perspective of the NBA All-Star game. The game will have to play out for a verdict to drop. Nevertheless, Daigneault should be congratulated, and considering the trajectory of his Thunder team, we will likely see him coach in a few more All-Star games later on.
