How Can OKC Remain Front Runners for Kevin Durant in 2016?

May 1, 2015; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder new head coach Billy Donovan speaks to the media at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports

Billy Donovan Must Ease Load On Durant And Westbrook

Oklahoma City has been an offensive force year-in and year-out, ranking in the top five in offensive efficiency in three of the past 5 seasons. However, you could tell that Brooks’ schemes were starting to become a bit more predictable and, as a result, more physically taxing on Durant and Westbrook. Plays like “Horns”, elevator doors, and pin-down sets – which used to be highly effective – are being prepared for extensively in opposing film rooms.

From a fan’s standpoint, you could see that the offense lacked precision and creativity. The hope was that Brooks’ new “motion” offense would have solved some of these but he never got the chance to fully implement it due to injuries to key cogs. The next head coach would have to continue the successful track record of development established by Scott Brooks while bringing a refreshing tactical edge to the position.

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Enter Billy Donovan. Before accepting one of the few can’t-miss head coaching opportunities in the NBA, Donovan was busy compiling a career 502-206 (0.709) heading coaching record at Marshall and Florida. The Gainesville legend, who’s .745 career win percentage in the NCAA tournament ranks 5^th all-time, will be tasked with leading a championship-or-bust team to the promised land in just his first season at the helm of an NBA team. That’s a whole new definition of pressure.

Donovan’s offenses have been known to be quick and deadly with a heavy emphasis being placed on spacing and screens.

"[via BBall Breakdown’s Randy Sherman] Donovan loves to find opponents with bad feet and weak lateral movement and involve them in these flat screens. The guard has the option to choose which side of the ball screen to go off of and getting into the lane and making a play is always the first read. The post player along the baseline must read the guard. As the guard comes off the flat screen, the low post player slides to opposite side of the lane. This leaves the guard a path to the rim and forces the post defender to decide to help up on the drive or sit back on his man. Again, Donovan wants the low post player to play behind the defense along the baseline. This forces his defender to help up. To cover down, opponents must use a corner defender. Many teams flat hedge the ball screen preventing the ball handler from getting into the lane. When Florida is defended in this manner, the pick-and-pop throwback is an automatic. Once the throwback is completed, the screener has the option to attack the off the dribble or reverse to the guard. When the ball is reversed the big follows and sets the second of Donovan’s spread pick-and-roll ball screens – the wing screen."

It seems like a typical Donovan offense involves fluidity and gives each player multiple options of attack. This is great news for Durant and Westbrook, who usually resorted to heroics when the offense stagnated after a single set. Billy Donovan’s mantra since taking the reigns in Oklahoma City has been easing the load for everyone on the roster.

"“How can I help them play to the best of their ability? How can I make the game easier for Kevin and for Russell and some of those guys, and what can we do offensively and defensively to help each other?,” Donovan told ESPN.com, “You’re always thinking about those things on a regular basis.”"

For me it’s quite simple. KD won’t want to have to run through walls to get his buckets for the next five years and implementing a better, more efficient offense that gives him many options will be extremely appealing when the two sides meet next summer.

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