It’s time OKC Thunder make a change – Top 5 reasons to fire Billy Donovan

The vaudevillian hook:

While Terrance Ferguson got the nod to play the two guard starting spot this season, it’s not like the team had a ton of options. Whether they knew at that time there were already issues with Alex Abrines or not isn’t known. But, TFerg’s insertion came about more because of circumstance rather than choice.

Take a look at the Kings, Spurs, and Nuggets as examples of teams where the head coaches rewarded their players (especially the youth) for performance. The Spurs Derrick Williams got the tap over Patty Mills, Denver’s Torrey Craig‘s consistent production resulted in him moving into the starting rotation in the playoffs no less. And, all three Clippers rookies were given the chance to succeed which gave them confidence and more importantly experience.

But not in Billy Donovan’s world. Repeatedly, a player would come out on the court and spark a comeback or hit some shots and like clockwork, Donovan is standing there with the vaudevillian hook at the ready to pull that player out simply because it’s “time” for someone to return. Look, I”m not saying the stars shouldn’t get their minutes. But, when the Thunder are behind and a specific player is a key reason why things improved why pull them at that very moment?

Patrick Patterson, Nerlens Noel, Abdel Nader, Hamidou Diallo, and Deonte Burton all suffered this fate at different times this season.

It does nothing to instill confidence that playing consistently well will keep them on the floor. Moreover, it leads to players looking over their shoulders in fear of making any mistakes since that will most surely lead to another quick hook. Nor does it do anything for the healthy competition which can be generated when a coach rewards performance.