For the OKC Thunder the Russell Westbrook Triple-Double Show has been a perfect distraction for their lack of coaching. Aside from rolling the ball to Westbrook and a few lineup changes, Billy Donovan’s impact has been minimal.
Where OKC Thunder Would be Without Donovan:
Before even considering the need for a new coach, one question is paramount: Where would the OKC Thunder be without Billy Donovan? The fact is that the Thunder would have essentially the same record no matter who the coach was. That is assuming the unknown Coach would let Mr Triple Double do whatever he wants, as he does now.
Westbrook has earned the right to be who he is but his Coach has done very little to help him. As a manager of talent, Donovan takes care of his stars. However, with only one star on this team the OKC Thunder need a strategist; not a manager. Donovan’s strategy of riding the Westbrook train isn’t a strategy; it’s a cop-out.
Related: Where OKC Thunder Biggest Issues Lie
Russell Westbrook‘s pursuit of Oscar Robertson has made the OKC Thunder a popular team to watch but not a team to take seriously. If Sam Presti were to replace Donovan with a Veteran coach who has vision, Westbrook would not be averaging a Triple-Double. Without Donovan, an experienced coach would rein in Russell Westbrook in lieu of team basketball.
Russell Westbrook’s pursuit of Oscar Robertson has made the OKC Thunder a popular team to watch but not a team to take seriously.
Consequently, the interior fortress of Steven Adams, Enes Kanter and Taj Gibson would all average double-digits in rebounds (as they should). This added team dynamic provides less flash but more substance.
The only substantial feature of this Thunder team is the flash of Westbrook going past his teammates and into history. Unfortunately for OKC Thunder fans, this season will most likely be history after the first round of the playoffs.