Oklahoma City Thunder general manager Sam Presti has repeatedly cited historian Robert Caro’s research philosophy as an inspiration for building the franchise’s first NBA championship team. Presti referenced Caro’s mantra of “turning every page” several times during his annual preseason press conference in September.
Five days before the Thunder opened training camp following their title win, Presti held his traditional lengthy media session. He discussed the team’s approach to the season, citing Caro’s extensive research methods as a guiding principle.
Presti first publicly mentioned Caro in 2020 while reading “Master of the Senate” during the NBA bubble. In his September 2024 opening statement, he applied Caro’s philosophy to team building and roster management.
“One of my favorite authors, Robert Caro, has a great saying about research where he says, ‘You have to turn every page,’ and I really like that in relation to what we have to do to discover the team,” Presti said.
“We really have to understand and go through each iteration to make sure that we don’t close off potential paths that can really help us or take us to another level, whether it’s now or in the future. … I think you’re giving yourself every opportunity by turning every page.”
The Thunder GM repeated the phrase during the press conference when discussing roster depth, midseason trades and the team’s commitment to staying curious. Presti emphasized that exceptional teams must be prepared to explore every possibility.
Caro, 90, told ESPN he was honored by Presti’s admiration. The two-time Pulitzer Prize winner has been working on a multi-volume biography of President Lyndon Johnson since 1974.
“I’m really moved, if you want to know the truth,” Caro said.
The historian developed his “turn every page” philosophy in 1959 while working at Newsday. His editor-in-chief Alan Hathaway instructed him never to assume anything during investigative reporting. That principle has shaped Caro’s six-decade career.
Caro, a lifelong basketball fan who attended the New York Knicks championship games in 1970 and 1973, said he receives letters from people who have adopted his motto. Regarding the Thunder’s title, he noted that players and coaches win championships, not authors.
“I love basketball,” says Caro. “I’m not very good at it, but I love it.”
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