Derek Parker retweeted
OKC Thunder rookie Aday Mara appears ready to play this NBA season despite contradictory claims from his former Spanish club.
Here's why, based on what I've heard from OKC, Basket Zaragoza and FIBA:
oklahoman.com/story/sports/n…
James Johnson laid Bennett Stirtz out on an illegal offensive screen,
Kenrich Williams took offense and exchanged some words,
Kenrich isolated him on the first play back and canned a three.
Basketball.
Think this has been Aday Mara's most complete defensive game so far,
He's been spectacular at rotating, deterring and communicating. Thunder have been flat-out better with him out there.
Back-to-back impressive rebounds for Josh Dix, who hasn't looked massively out of place among rotational guys,
Guarded Obi Toppin and Pascal Siakam on that last play.
All-Rookie and ROTY predictions up on YouTube machine,
This list was made well before Aday Mara decided to become league MVP.
🔗: bit.ly/4saDiXO
Bennett Stirtz is, somehow quietly, averaging 20.3 points per game on 59% shooting from the field in preseason.
Bennett Stirtz just completely unfazed by defense and distance from the basket.
Just green-lighting everything
If Josh Dix can tighten up the details I really think he's going to have a shot at some playing time in the NBA,
Really great shooter, sneakily scrappy defender. Has been solid for OKC through preseason and seemingly still gaining confidence.
I remember a lot of cautious optimism in the postseason,
Mara shot 16-for-21 (76%) from the line through the Big 10 tourney and March Madness.
It seems Aday Mara, free throw converter, is here to stay.
Replying to @DParkOK
He was ridiculously good from the line at the end of last year, I don’t know the numbers but it felt like he started around 30% then starting in January through the end of the year felt like he was ~75%. He even shot 3s confidently and showed an ability to make them in-game
Not to mention,
He was again one of the most impactful players on the floor — 8 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists, 4 blocks.
Notably, through 2.5 games in preseason, Aday Mara is 10-for-11 (91%) from the free throw line — he went 6-for-6 in the first half against Atlanta.
He shot 59% through his college career.
Back-to-back slams for Aday Mara and he now trails only SGA with 15 points,
Another pretty incredible half of basketball for the No. 12 pick.






