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'I think everyone loves Mike Wilks': How the Thunder is embracing Wilks as interim head coach
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- 'I think everyone loves Mike Wilks': How the Thunder is embracing Wilks as interim head coach
PHOENIX — Mike Wilks didn't have time to take it all in.
The Thunder assistant learned Tuesday morning, hours before a game at the Kings, that he was going to step in as the Thunder's acting head coach. Then the Thunder flew to Phoenix, where Wilks, on the second night of a back-to-back, coached his second NBA game.
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"This situation has come pretty fast," Wilks said, "to the point where I haven't really even had time to get nervous."
Wilks handled the opportunity well, especially considering the circumstances. The 42-year-old former point guard was temporarily promoted to the head job as Thunder coach Mark Daigneault and top assistant Dave Bliss were in COVID protocols.
Wilks, who's from Milwaukee and who played college basketball at Rice, was an NBA journeyman for eight seasons. He played for the Hawks, Timberwolves, Rockets, Spurs (where he won a title), Cavaliers, SuperSonics, Nuggets and Wizards. He played four games for the Thunder in 2009-10 before he was waived.
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He averaged 2.5 points and 1.2 assists in his 233-game career.
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Wilks spent seven seasons as a scout in the Thunder's front office, and now he's in his third season as an assistant coach.
"It's still surreal for me, coming from the inner city of Milwaukee — 5-11, undrafted guy," Wilks said. "I can't even say it's a dream come true, because it's exceeding my dreams. To be a part of this organization for as long as I have, in different roles, it's been truly a blessing."
Wilks is well-respected in the Thunder's locker room.
"I think everyone loves Mike Wilks," Thunder guard Ty Jerome said. "He just has the perfect balance of when to talk to you, when to leave you alone. He's always encouraging people.
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"If you need something, you ask Mike Wilks."
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Wilks knows what it's like to be an NBA player — a perspective Daigneault, Bliss and assistants David Akinyooye and Kameron Woods don't have.
"He understands the players because he's played the game before at this level," Thunder wing Kenrich Williams said. "He's very cool, calm and collected, and that rubs off on us as well, especially in the heat of the moment or when teams make runs."
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Wilks still has the eyes of a point guard.
"You can tell he sees a lot out there on the floor," Thunder center Mike Muscala said.
The Thunder's recent road trip wasn't easy to navigate.
Daigneault was out. Several players were out. A handful of staff members who operate behind the scenes were out. All due to COVID protocols.
Wilks wasn't the only one trying to cover for someone else.
"We're all pulling and rowing in the same direction, and that's what I love about the organization," Wilks said. "It's an adverse time, an unfortunate time in terms of the virus, but one of the silver linings is that you see some of the love that people display for one another."
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Another silver lining is the chance Wilks received to coach an NBA team.
"I don't take it lightly," Wilks said, "because there's a lot of deserving people that don't get this opportunity, and so I'm just trying to make the most of it, and make my mom proud."
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: OKC Thunder embracing Mike Wilks as interim head coach
