Thunder Two-Way Guard Adam Flagler will take on a bigger leadership role in year two

The Oklahoma City Blue started their title defense on Tuesday with a big victory over the Texas Legends. Limiting their I-35 rivals, 103-102. In that game, two-way guard Adam Flagler stood out with 18 points, three rebounds, five assists and five steals.

Even in a game where he didn’t shoot well, with the quintessential sharpshooter going 3-for-16 from beyond the arc, his impact was not only felt, but he was the best player on the floor.

After the game, Blue bench boss Kameron Woods praised the Baylor Bears product and credited his leadership qualities as the reason Blue started the season 1-0.

“It’s his second year as a pro, he’s become one of the leaders in this group. Not because of his two-way (contract), but because (because of his experience) he’s a hard-working guy… He’s had an impact game in a lot of ways,” Woods said.

This was not the first time Flagler led his troops. Woods told a story about the 6-foot-1 guard who was an extension of the pacer on the floor during training camp.

“(Adam Flagler) knows me very well, he knows the organization very well, because we spent so much time together,” Woods explained. “The examples for me are in practice, several times during training he will hold the pitch, without telling me, and keep the boys together and hit them on things that I would hit them on. We have a great relationship in terms of how we want the ball.” gym and how we want to work. He sets the tone there.”

Woods, a standout player in his own right with records still hanging at Butler University, knows what a locker room looks like with a respected leader and a leader in name only. This is no small compliment for his head guard.

“I think the most impressive thing about that is if you’re going to do that, the guys have to respect you… These guys dig in more when he communicates with the team, which says a lot about him. They respect him, they respect the way he it works,” Woods continued.

That led this writer to the Thunder locker room ahead of Wednesday’s meeting with the Pelicans to catch up with Flagler and ask him about his second year in the Blue system, which mirrors the varsity club.

“I think I always have been. Vocally, I’ve always been a guy who led by example, but wanted to be more vocal, especially for the team,” Flagler explained to Thunder on SI. “Being here for my second year now, it’s important for me to know what to expect to put guys in their place and let them know they’re not alone.”

Leadership is primarily a skill you are born with or have; few can imitate these efficiently. Flagler is someone who has always possessed this quality, helping the Bears to their first national title in the 2021 NCAA Tournament.

In his second year in the Oklahoma City system, it has increased his ability to speak out to his team, knowing what is expected of the group organizationally.

“We spend so much time on the road. Kameron Woods does a great job of building a relationship off the court, where that trust is palpable from the moment we step on the court,” Flagler told Thunder on SI. “Anytime I can say the things he’s thinking, that coach or leader on the floor is great. He never wants to coach too much, he never wants his voice to be where it’s not as receptive.” .”

Flagler took paths that were under construction during his basketball career. After a successful college career, the guard suffered a devastating knee injury the day before the 2023 NBA Draft that could have derailed his hoops dreams into a nightmare.

However, Oklahoma City still brought him into the fold after the draft, where he immediately earned the organization’s respect.

The way he attacked his rehabilitation process has earned flowers from Thunder bench boss Mark Daigneault in the past. It also saw him recover quickly and marked his return to basketball on December 29 in Maine.

On February 10, 2024, the Thunder signed Flagler to his multi-year two-way pact and the Baylor product helped another team – the OKC Blue – win its first championship.

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