Aday Mara Stays Perfect Against The Bucks

Aday Mara is trying out a new strategy that no NBA rookie has ever had employed before: not missing any shots.

The Oklahoma City Thunder's #12 overall pick is now a perfect 15 of 15 from the field through his first two preseason games.

Even more impressive, all those attempts and makes came within a 26 hour span. On Tuesday night in Tulsa, Mara went 5 of 5 for 12 points against the New Orleans Pelicans starters. On Wednesday night in Oklahoma City, Mara went 10 of 10 for a game high 22 points against the Milwauke Bucks starters.

The narratives swirling around the former Michigan Wolverine after his mixed performances in Salt Lake City and Las Vegas for Summer League skewed heavily negative. Unsurprisingly, hot takes from a small sample size in exhibition contests with a ragtag group of young players may turn out could. Mara's game was always going to look better within the Thunder infrastructure and alongside his OKC teammates. But his conditioning and physicality seem much improved from just a few months ago as well.

As far as Mara's new Thunder teammates, Mark Daigneault has noticed them noticing him.

"It's just interesting to see how the guys have responded to him," Daigneault said after the game against the Bucks. "They've learned that he outlets the ball deep, so they're getting up the floor on outlets. They're looking for him in the rolls. They understand the gravity of somebody that size who has the hands that he does. They even throw the ball to him in the post. There just aren't a lot of rookie bigs who, without prompting, veteran players will throw the ball in to. That's a sign of trust. None of those things are things we've talked about specific to him, and yet the guys are recognizing that. It's encouraging."

It's far too early to make any sort of sweeping statements about a late lottery rookie. But the fact that Mara is playing this well and looking this comfortable against the likes of Yves Missi, Derik Queen, Kel'el Ware and Myles Turner is very encouraging for the young big man's future.

“It’s awesome. It’s awesome. It’s exactly what we need," Jared McCain said of Mara's preseason performances. "And he’s such a good dude. Getting to know him, I’m learning some Spanish from him too. So it’s been pretty good to get to know him and play. He’s a great player out there.”