Donovan’s Dishes: Breaking down Billy’s comments from Week Two

This week in Donovan’s Dishes – Billy Donovan is focused on defense first for the OKC Thunder.

Head coach Billy Donovan has remained positive in the midst of an inconsistent start of the season for the Oklahoma City Thunder. In a week where Donovan watched his team dominate two Eastern Conference teams, he also witnessed them lose their second game of the season to the Minnesota Timberwolves.

OKC Thunder rookie Terrance Ferguson rested this week and Paul George had foul trouble, meaning third year forward Josh Huestis got to see quality minutes. Donovan is a strong believer in hard work and Huestis has been putting this in since the preseason. The head coach is now rewarding that work with minutes.

On Steven Adams

One of my favorite topics of OKC Thunder conversation is Steven Adams. There is something about watching him set a screen which is simply satisfying. What most people fail to realize is the complexity of screen setting.

Adams understands how each player wants space created for them. He is able to set a screen that benefits his teammate, creating them ample space to create. This also creates roll opportunities for the Big Kiwi on offense. This makes the 24-year old a menace for opposing defenses.

What on earth was that?

Nothing ever comes easily for the OKC Thunder. Even taking an hour long flight to Chicago, the plane managed to hit something during the flight. Adams asked NASA what hit the plane while Donovan was very matter-of-fact about his description of events.

Taming of the Bulls

The video below has a bonus Russell Westbrook interview. However, about halfway through it cuts to Donovan. What I love about this is they had a meeting in the morning – if this video is any indicator the team played according to how Donovan wanted them to play.

Related Story: Player grades from Thunder’s win in Chicago

This tells me George, Carmelo Anthony and all the other new players are buying into Donovan’s defense. Active hands are slowing down passes. This allows players to recover their defender better, causing more contested shots. This explains how the Bulls only scored 69 points in the game.

Three wins – three triple doubles.

Tell me, how easy is it to collect a triple double? If your name is Russell Westbrook they seem to come quite regularly. However, they are not easy to accomplish. It may look effortless for the OKC Thunder superstar but we all know they are not.

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• Damian Lillard does not fit with the OKC Thunder

Watching away games last season I heard opposition commentators say Westbrook was stat padding and looking for the triple doubles before helping the team win. I just wish they could hear themselves. Stat padding to get a triple double? Billy Donovan understands just how tough it is to get one triple double.

Who would not want a player who impacts the game in so many like Russell Westbrook does? I would love to see him be the first player to average a triple double in two seasons. He will get there in points and will lead the NBA in assists; a double-double is almost definite.

Can he help fix the rebounding issues for the OKC Thunder? Donovan certainly believes in his hard work.

Come back same time for more Donovan’s Dishes where we serve up the best of the OKC Thunder coach from the previous week.