Billy Donovan’s Addition Is a Huge Benefit
19 years of head coaching experience and two national championships are a nice addition to Donovan’s résumé. Some would say it’s all that really matters in evaluating how he’ll impact the Thunder during his first season at the helm.
But aside from developing a system that routinely maximizes a player’s skills, there are decades worth of relationships that will undoubtedly benefit the team during his tenure.
Donovan was a regular presence during the Thunder games and at practices. He was doing what he does best during these moments – evaluating players and providing hands-on instruction. But in between those moments of on-court action, he was doing something just as important, regularly connecting with players that were in Orlando. Not just Thunder players (although that was certainly encouraging) but rookies and other prospects that Donovan had previously interacted with during his time with the University of Florida.
Lottery prospects like Justise Winslow and Stanley Johnson and countless others all took time during their busy days in Orlando to talk with Donovan, who carries himself with a congenial-yet-authoritative air. And with teams always looking for an edge during free agency, you can bet these connections will certainly come into play.
The impact of these relationships might not be felt immediately as the team’s roster is practically set. But it could be a huge factor in the future, proving once again that the decision to hire Donovan to replace respected coach Scott Brooks was about both the short- and long-term growth of the Oklahoma City Thunder.