Opinion: The Thunder’s culture is paying dividends

Culture is a phrase that can be tossed around without much thought; it is a cliche that all teams pride themselves on. However, a good culture and approach to work is the bedrock that Sam Presti has built the Thunder on. He has assembled OKC to be professional, player-friendly and respectful over the course of the last 14 years.

For franchises in big markets, culture can be acquired and discarded in one single moment. By sheer stroke of fortune, the Los Angeles Lakers acquired a winning culture when LeBron James decided to move to California to pursue interests outside of basketball.

It is not so easy for small markets that do not have the glamour of New York, Los Angeles or Miami. The…