On his assessment of training camp:
“I have been extremely pleased with our effort and energy. As a coach, you always want practice to be good. There are times that aren’t so pretty but guys are fighting through that. Two-a-days are tough on your mind and on your body. Overall, I have no complaints. Guys are trying to do what we are asking them to do. Everyone is buying into ‘us.’ It is not about individuals but about the Tulsa 66ers. I think guys are doing that. We have planned to go a little longer in a couple of practices but have cut them a little short because of energy and focus has been so good. Conditioning wise, I think we are pretty good. I think a couple guys need to work on that, but that is part of it.”

On his expectations of the 66ers preseason games this Friday and Saturday in Texas:
“Our only expectations are to play hard and have the players do what we ask them to do. It is not about wins and losses for us. I haven’t thought much about this weekend because we are just trying to get better each practice. We are just focusing on teaching these guys what we are all about. We will be ready, our guys will be excited to play. As a coach, I want us to be ready and take advantage of those opportunities to get better. Our team will compete and we are looking forward to it.”

On how Tweety Carter, Elijah Millsap and Jerome Dyson are benefiting from attending Oklahoma City Thunder training camp:
“Those guys all have a presence out there. Any play we put in defensively so far they are very familiar with. Those guys really know what our expectations are here in Tulsa after being in Oklahoma City. That is huge. Those three being able to tell others how we do things and explain the drills is big. That is what it is about.

On the returners setting a good example for the new additions to the roster:
“They have been good. Marcus Lewis has been extremely good. He is a guy that is about ‘us.’ Latavious (Williams) is also a guy that has come a long ways. He has gotten better and his habits are a lot better. Zabian (Dowdell) is a returner but he is still new. I think he only played nine or 10 games with us last year. Larry Owens is a guy that needs to bring veteran leadership and the past couple of days he has been really good. That is what we need from him. He spoke up and talked to the guys before practice about expectations of the coaching staff which was great to see.”

On his team partnering with the Salvation Army on Wednesday afternoon and the importance of the team being involved in the community:
“I think it gives the players a sense of reality. We have got a great job here. It doesn’t even feel like a job. There are a lot of people out there that are in tough situations. I know our guys really enjoy getting out in the community and helping people. It is a great opportunity for us to give back to the people of Tulsa because they give so much to us. I think it is fun because you get to see our guys as people and not just as players. You get to see them smile and work with others and give back. It is always very rewarding.”