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Who is to blame for the Thunders shortcomings OKC players or Billy Donovan

By Alex Mcewen

OAKLAND, CA - FEBRUARY 06: Head coach Billy Donovan of the Oklahoma City Thunder reacts to the play on the court during the second half of their NBA basketball game against the Golden State Warriors at ORACLE Arena on February 6, 2018 in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CA - FEBRUARY 06: Head coach Billy Donovan of the Oklahoma City Thunder reacts to the play on the court during the second half of their NBA basketball game against the Golden State Warriors at ORACLE Arena on February 6, 2018 in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /
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When discussing the top point guards Westbrook’s name will undoubtedly surface. As will Steph Curry, James Harden, and Damian Lillard‘s.

These three guards all have something in common. Furthermore, they have all played or currently play for well-respected and accomplished head coaches. Westbrook has not. Let’s run down their resumes.

Warriors head coach Steve Kerr

Steve Kerr is a five-time champion as a player, two-time champion as a coach. As a player Kerr had the luxury of playing under Phil Jackson and Gregg Popovich. Consequently, looking back it almost seems like it was guaranteed Kerr was going to be a good coach.

Rocket’s head coach Mike D’Antoni

First of all, in 14 seasons as a head coach Mike D’Antoni has missed the  playoffs only five times. D’Antoni has guided his teams to the number one seed twice as a head coach.

Mike D’Antoni is credited for transforming Steve Nash into a two-time NBA MVP. Was Nash a good player before D’Antoni? Absolutely. Hence, what D’Antoni did was take Nash from very good, to great by fine tuning his game.

Blazers head coach Terry Stotts

Although not as accomplished as D’Antoni and Kerr one can not argue with Terry Stotts experience. Stotts has been an assistant or head coach in the NBA since the 1994-95 season.

A head coaches’ tenure in professional sports is usually short-lived. Consequently coaches don’t stick around long, unless they are good at their job. Stotts holding a coaching job for 24 seasons speaks for itself.

Examining Donovan and Brooks

Now that you have gotten to know the other coaches back to Westbrook. Russ has never had the luxury to play for a coach as accomplished as any of the aforementioned head coaches.

Westbrook has played for three coaches in his career. However P.J. Carlesimo only coached Russ for 12 games.

Brooks, was a former player and an assistant for six seasons before taking over as head coach of the Thunder 13 games into the 2008-09 season.

Brooks was and still is with the Washington Wizards a players coach and has admittedly said he struggles with out-of-bounds plays. Scott Brooks does not excel with his rotation either. In this scribe’s opinion Brooks is overrated as a coach.

Must Read: Injury report heading into the stretch

Onto Billy Donovan. When the Thunder hired Donovan it was a massive risk. Very few college coaches have had success in the NBA. To this point Billy Donovan has been a disappointment.

He is slightly better version of Scott Brooks, yet each day the margin gets smaller. To say Westbrook in uncoachable is an unfair statement because Westbrook has never had a coach that will coach him.

Donovan has openly said he gives Westbrook the freedom to do what he thinks is best. That is not coaching. No matter how great the player, everyone needs guidance. Billy Donovan has not provided any guidance. At least especially not to his starting point guard.

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