Thunderous Intentions
Fansided

OKC Thunder coaching decision: Billy Donovan in jeopardy

By Jordan Buckamneer

SALT LAKE CITY, UT - APRIL 27: Head coach Billy Donovan of the Oklahoma City Thunder gestures from the sideline during Game Six of Round One of the 2018 NBA Playoffs against the Utah Jazz at Vivint Smart Home Arena on April 27, 2018 in Salt Lake City, Utah. 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 Gene Sweeney Jr./Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, UT - APRIL 27: Head coach Billy Donovan of the Oklahoma City Thunder gestures from the sideline during Game Six of Round One of the 2018 NBA Playoffs against the Utah Jazz at Vivint Smart Home Arena on April 27, 2018 in Salt Lake City, Utah. 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 Gene Sweeney Jr./Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 5
Next
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK – APRIL 25: Russell Westbrook
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK – APRIL 25: Russell Westbrook /

Maurice Cheeks

Hall of Fame member Maurice Cheeks has spent seven seasons as an assistant coach in OKC. He originally joined the Thunder in 2009 after serving as the head coach in Portland for two seasons and in Philadelphia for three. Cheeks went on to be the assistant coach for the Thunder from 2009-13. He then rejoined in 2015 after a year as the head coach of the Detroit Pistons.

As a player, Cheeks was an NBA Finals champion in 1983 as the point guard for the Philadelphia 76ers. During his 11-year career, Cheeks scored over 12,000 points and averaged 6.7 assists per game. His jersey now hangs in the rafters in Philadelphia as one of their best players at that position in the history of the franchise.

Simply put, Cheeks has been in the league a long time. He’s a player’s coach who has the respect of everyone in the league. His time as a head coach may not have panned out with other teams, but given that he’s been with Oklahoma City for seven seasons, he’s a great choice.

Home/Thunder News