It’s time OKC Thunder make a change – Top 5 reasons to fire Billy Donovan
Has Donovan lost the locker room?
Above all, when a team is suddenly discussing their coach openly even without encouragement it speaks to an underlying issue. While Dennis Schroder cited Donovan as being someone who he had no problem with he also brought insight into what is potentially wrong with the team.
“It can go either way, to be honest, I never had that before. I’ve been with Coach Budenholzer in Atlanta and he’s got a strong opinion about what he wants to do.—- He’s a good coach and I like that he keeps everyone accountable, and he’s got his own way. Billy is kind of rare. I never had it before and it can go either way I think. When it goes too much and he listens too much to the players then it can go bad as well.” – Dennis Schroder’
Really interesting insight from Dennis Schröder about Billy Donovan. Talked about how much he likes Billy’s willingness to listen to players but says “when he listens too much to the players it can go bad.”
— Brett Dawson (@BDawsonWrites) April 25, 2019
There is no possible way to read that quote and not take away the players have too great of a say in the system. Lots of squads will take input from the team, but this statement is implying the players are making the calls or more concerning, generally have the last say.
Does this further speak to the fact the system isn’t there to fall back upon? Or perhaps too rudimentary for Donovan to offer options?
New voice needed:
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Again, Schroder’s quote serves up more hidden answers in that the coach isn’t demanding respect. The old adage – would you rather be liked or respected may apply here. Do you think for one second Gregg Popovich or Doc Rivers don’t listen to their players?
No — but they sure as heck aren’t letting them run roughshod on the court doing what they want because there is a system in place. The players’ input would be more about something they are seeing in terms of how the opponent is defending them or where they see openings which the coach can then tweak his system to take advantage of.
At no time this season did it ever feel like that was the case with Donovan and the Thunder which lends itself to one of two thoughts. Either the team doesn’t have a specific system with enough variables in place or if they do the team simply aren’t listening to their coach. And if the latter is the case then it’s definitely time for a new head coach that demands respect just by their very presence.
In a recent article in the paid for subscription, The Athletic Darnell Mayberry implied there are rumblings Donovan has lost the locker room and more importantly lost Westbrook. If that, in fact, is the case then this article may be moot as Presti no doubt will already be leaning in the fire Donovan camp.
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The definition of insanity is to keep repeating the same action with the expectation of a different result. Ultimately, the OKC Thunder are running an insane offensive system – and it’s time for a change which means it’s also time for a new head coach!