04/25/24
April 30, 2015
Sources: Billy Donovan will coach the OKC Thunder: The University of Florida men's coach will replace Scott Brooks, who was fired last week after an injury-riddled season that ended without a playoff berth.
posted by Ufez Jones to basketball at 01:36 PM - 8 comments
What's the chance Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook stay after they become free agents in 2016 and 2017, respectively? Donovan's a good coach, but if the stars leave it won't be easy to lure anything to Oklahoma City but tornadoes.
posted by rcade at 04:32 PM on April 30, 2015
I understand the reluctance in trusting college coaches but after witnessing the two year dumpster fire that was Brian Shaw's head coaching debut I don't think hiring assistants is very safe either. What's that leave us with, re-treads and hall of fame point guards with no coaching experience?
posted by tron7 at 04:54 PM on April 30, 2015
Oh man I am old.
You're not that old. I was newly engaged to my wife when Billy's Providence team went to the Final Four, and after seeing me nearly lose control of my bodily functions when the Friars beat Georgetown, she went ahead with the nuptials anyway.
Mel Kiper is pissed. Of all the nerve for Donovan to upstage him on the one day of the year that is the entire basis of his reason for being. It's like upstaging one of those top hatted oafs gathered onstage at Gobbler's Knob on Groundhog Day.
(Whoever named the place "Gobbler's Knob" never rented a limo with tinted windows on prom weekend.)
posted by beaverboard at 04:56 PM on April 30, 2015
tron, you need to listen to more sports talk. What teams should do is pick coaches who know how to win. Duh.
posted by yerfatma at 07:09 PM on April 30, 2015
Not good enough for Denver. In Denver you have to know how to win when it counts. Franchise record 57 win season? GTFO. That's why we hired a winner like Shaw. Dude won three titles and was on the coaching staff for two more.
posted by tron7 at 10:39 AM on May 01, 2015
In the pre-Calipari Kentucky era Donovan won the recruiting battle in the SEC yearly. What I think elevates him above other college coaches and makes him a good fit for the NBA is his ability to get rosters loaded with top talent to play cohesively and unselfishly.
posted by cixelsyd at 10:55 AM on May 01, 2015
How long before he changes his mind again?
posted by skifan at 09:14 AM on May 02, 2015
After 19 years and two national titles at the University of Florida . . .
I saw him in college. As a player. Oh man I am old. So how do you feel about this Ufez? I wouldn't mourn Brooks if it were my team, but I'm leery of college coaches. Except for Brad Stevens who sits at the Left Hand of the Father.