Breaking: Thunder hire Billy Donovan as new Coach

[ArbitraryWater]

probasketballtalk.nbcsports.com/2015/04/30/report-thunder-to-announce-hiring-of-billy-donovan/

[Fallen Angel]

No excuses.

OKC doesn't make the WCF then KD is gone.

[Harison]

Both superstars will see how Don's coaching works before deciding IMO.

[Fudge]

[Eric Cartman]

As long as he doesn't run iso's all game long, they'll be fine.

Barring injuries, finals or bust.

[SourSamCassell]

Billy who?

Check.

[ArbitraryWater]

As long as he doesn't run iso's all game long, they'll be fine.

Barring injuries, finals or bust.

I honestly have no clue about him... whats he like? Good? Run plays?

You could tell Brad Stevens was gonna be good... I know Budadiii is hyping him, but they could have hired 'Mama There Goes That Man' and the first thing he would do is hype him, thats his shtick.

[midatlantic09]

Terrible decision.

[Fudge]

I'm ****ing excited for next season already.

Holy shit. A competent coach that has a semblance of a playbook. This is refreshing.



Confirmed 3peat on the way.

[Eric Cartman]

I honestly have no clue about him... whats he like? Good? Run plays?

You could tell Brad Stevens was gonna be good... I know Budadiii is hyping him, but they could have hired 'Mama There Goes That Man' and the first thing he would do is hype him, thats his shtick.

I may be mistaken here, but his specialty is the pick and roll motion offense.

[Hey Yo]

"Here's the roster of men who have gone straight from college head coaches to NBA head coaches since the 1993-94 season (* denotes first head NBA job):

Lon Kruger* (Illinois to Atlanta Hawks): 69-122 from 2000-03, no playoffs
Rick Pitino (Kentucky to Boston Celtics) 102-146 from 1997-2001, no playoffs
John Calipari* (UMass to New Jersey Nets): 72-112 from 1996-99, 0-3 in playoffs
Tim Floyd* (Iowa State to Chicago Bulls): 49-190 from 1998-2002, no playoffs
Mike Montgomery* (Stanford to Golden State Warriors): 68-96 from 2004-06, no playoffs
P.J. Carlesimo* (Seton Hall to Portland Trail Blazers): 136-109 from 1994-97, 3-9 in playoffs
Reggie Theus* (New Mexico State to Sacramento Kings): 44-62 from 2007-09, no playoffs
Leonard Hamilton* (Miami Hurricanes to Washington Wizards): 19-63 in 2000-01, no playoffs
The collective record and winning percentage: 559-900 (.383) with a 3-12 playoff record over 22 seasons.

I should note with Pitino that his first NBA job, with the Knicks in the late 1980s, led to a 90-74 record over two seasons, with two playoff appearances. That tenure ended when the lure of Kentucky pulled him away from Manhattan."

http://www.cbssports.com/collegebask...-past-20-years

[SOD 21]

And how many of those college coaches that struggled took over an elite team with two top six players entering their prime and a stacked roster that should be at least a top three or four team heading into next season?

Most college coaches do not get these type of pristine opportunities with an elite team and elite players, which is why it would be stupid if Billy Donovan somehow turns this opportunity down.

[brandonislegend]

I think this guy is a better recruiter than coach.......

[iamgine]

And how many of those college coaches that struggled took over an elite team with two top six players entering their prime and a stacked roster that should be at least a top three or four team heading into next season?

Most college coaches do not get these type of pristine opportunities with an elite team and elite players, which is why it would be stupid if Billy Donovan somehow turns this opportunity down.

If he sucks he can always go back to coach in college anyways so it's basically risk free for him.

[hawksdogsbraves]

I think this guy is a better recruiter than coach.......

Idk about that, two seasons ago the Gators were ranked number one for most of the year and were the favorites to win it all, and had virtually no NBA talent on the roster.