The next OKC Thunder head coach is already in Oklahoma City and it’s not Mo Cheeks

Calling Games to Calling Plays

Fans have gotten to know AD over the past few seasons through his work on the pre and post-game editions of Thunder Live on the Thunder’s home network of Fox Sports Oklahoma. Daniels has developed a following due to his brutally honest and strikingly accurate takes regarding the Thunder.

Being a phenomenal analyst does not automatically guarantee AD will be a good coach. However, it has worked out in the past. Look at Pat Riley for example. Riley worked in the booth as a broadcaster for the Lakers, when LAL’s head coach was involved in a severe bicycle accident.

In an instant, Riley was promoted from the booth to the bench. Within three seasons; Riley became the Lakers head man, and the rest is history. Another facet that Riley and Daniels have in common is they are both former players.

Perhaps, it’s a bit premature, or even unfair to compare AD to one of the greatest coaches and executives in NBA history. Maybe, current Warriors, HC Steve Kerr is a better comparison.

Prior to taking over for the Dubs in 2013, Kerr was an analyst/broadcaster for Turner Sports, calling NBA games on TNT. Before that, Kerr was an NBA guard for 15 seasons. But, the similarities do not stop there. Kerr is also a product of the San Antonio system having spent a total of four seasons with the Spurs in two separate stints.

Strangely enough, for the first three years of their Spurs tenure, Kerr and AD played for San Antonio at the same time; playing under Pop, as he won his first title in 1999. Hence, the journey from the booth to the bench has worked out swellingly in the past.