It might just be because the Thunder and Spurs are two different franchises that have blazed two totally different paths. They just happen to share a few obvious similarities and pivotal organizational philosophies.

The Thunder is off to a good start. But to get here, to establish the “Thunder Way,” the ownership group, Presti and players had to undergo relocation, being an upstart franchise in an untapped market and building an identity, on the court and in the community, from scratch. All are things the Spurs haven’t known since their ABA roots in the ’70s.

Popovich is king in San Antonio. What he says goes. He’s a coach Brooks admittedly aims to learn from, and rightfully so given Popovich’s four championships.

“Pop is one of the coaches that all coaches look at because he does it in the right way,” Brooks said. “He respects the game and he respects his opponent, and they demand great effort every night and we do the same thing.”

“They’re one of the best teams in this league for the last 15 years or so,” he said. “They play hard. They play together. They play smart. They have great experience.”

via Darnell Mayberry and John Rohde and Berry Tramel of The Oklahoman