Thunder Hope to Avoid the Miami Trap
Thunder guard Daequan Cook, who played for the Heat from 2007-10, says he has talked to teammates about the allure of South Beach. Some Thunder players, he said, have told him it would be difficult to play in Miami because of it.
“It could be a trap if you’re not smart,” Cook said. “I can actually talk to them and let them know what [South Beach is] capable of doing. Not that I ever got [in trouble], but it can be to a lot of guys. It’s important that you separate and manage your time while you’re out here. There is so much out here.”
OKC’s veteran point guard, Derek Fisher, has won five NBA championships and is playing in his eighth Finals. Fisher, 37, said his younger teammates can block out the distractions.
“The Finals is an event of its own,” Fisher said. “Often times you feel like you can do the same things that got you here. Being in the Finals, when you’re one of two teams left, it merits another level of mental preparation. So even if you’re going to a road city or home for five or six days, free time can’t necessarily be filled with free-time activities.
“You need to watch film, you need to make sure you get your recovery, your rest – everything that you can possibly do to make sure that when that game starts that next day or two days later, you’re ready to go.
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