OKC Thunder Starting 5 mailbag: The Billy Donovan chronicles

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SALT LAKE CITY, UT – APRIL 27: Steven Adams #12 speaks to Head Coach Billy Donovan of the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game Six of the Western Conference Quarterfinals against the Utah Jazz during the 2018 NBA Playoffs on April 27, 2018 at Vivint Smart Home Arena in Salt Lake City, Utah. Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images) /

The next one?

Everyone knows about the match game Billy Donovan plays on the sidelines. As if he is trying to put together a Rubik’s Cube, Donovan tosses out a ton of different lineups.

Outside of the core who should Billy D ensure gets consistent playing time?
— Thunderous Intentions (@thunderousint) July 25, 2018

The answer to this question is actually the least popular response. Nerlens Noel needs to be granted the most consistent minutes. Dennis Schroder will absolutely get a ton of minutes serving as the primary backup point guard, with an ability to play along side Russell Westbrook. One of Jerami Grant or Patrick Patterson will start for the Oklahoma City Thunder giving them the consistent minutes they need.

Working under the assumption that Patterson starts, Grant will absolutely find his minutes on the floor as versatile as he is. Nerlens Noel finding minutes is huge. The OKC Thunder struggled to find a backup big man all year-long a season ago. Noel could be the answer, but if nothing else it keeps Patrick Patterson out of the five-spot where he is just dreadful, and uncomfortable. Patterson playing the four makes him better, which in turn makes the team better.

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