NBA Finals: Q&A with Thunder reserve — and former Heat player — Daequan Cook

When the Heat traded you two summers ago to free up cap space to sign LeBron James and Chris Bosh, were you angry at the time?

“Not really. Not angry, not confused at all. After it happened, I talked to (president) Pat Riley and said it was the best decision not just for the team but for myself. He just put me in a better situation.”

The Thunder had a tough first year here with 23 wins. You had an even worse first year with the Heat (2007-08) winning just 15 games. Do you ever bring that up with any of your current teammates?

“Oh, yeah. Yeah. Me and KD (Kevin Durant) talk about it because we came in the league together. Both our teams made quick turnarounds and made it to the playoffs the following year.”

You and Heat rookie point guard Norris Cole were teammates growing up in Dayton, Ohio.

“We were teammates from seventh grade all the way through high school. We were one year apart. Same middle school (Fairview), same high school (Dunbar). He played varsity from 10th grade through the 12th. I played ninth grade through 12th. We played together two years in high school. He actually was a really good quarterback, then he switched it over and started playing basketball. He started at point guard the year we won the state title.”