OKC Thunder: Billy Donovan offers insights day after win over Jazz

With the OKC Thunder on an off day the head coach Billy Donovan met with media to answer questions.

Now that seeding games have begun teams will play every other day. Following the big win over the Utah Jazz, the OKC Thunder had a day to practice and prepare for the Nuggets on Monday. Billy Donovan as per typical spoke to the media to answer questions leading into the match

Here’s a compilation of the high points he touched on in response to media questions pulled from the NBA.com replay.

Billy Donovan answers media questions.

Diallo development:

Asked about Hamidou Diallo‘s development and 20 minutes played in the first seeding game the coach noted how injuries played such a pivotal role in his time in the league. Donovan stated each time Diallo was making strides he was thrown back due to injuries with the elbow injury this season really taking a toll.

Donovan feels Diallo made strides during the hiatus and believes the game has slowed down for the sophomore. Given that growth, he’s been able to find a spot in Donovan’s rotation and is perhaps carving out his spot within the rotation.

What he liked about the win over Jazz:

Donovan loved the pace and tempo the team played with during the first half of the game versus the Jazz.

He cited the defensive effort and help the players provided was stellar. How the team pursued and chased the Jazz guards was completed well and resulted in the Thunder limiting their pick and roll offense.

He also liked the thrust and force OKC played with offensively with a specific nod to good ball movement generating good shots.

The other game plan specific he was happy with was how the club made good choices on Gobert at the basket to limit his effectiveness.

The unsaid part of the equation is the coach clearly wasn’t as happy with the second half. Granted the Thunder allowed the Jazz back in the match a little although they still hung on for the win with a substantial win margin.

Timing and execution growth after scrimmages:

Moving forward, the coach is still very focused on the players’ stamina and building the squad to a point where they can sustain their effort through 48 minutes. At the same time, he recognizes he needs to balance how many minutes he plays everyone so he ensures their health.

In spite of the win, Donovan noted if the Jazz hadn’t missed three wide-open 3-pointers the game could’ve had a different result, hence why he keeps returning to stamina and how they can’t afford to have longer lapses.

How the team has developed over the course of the season:

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Donovan was asked if this phase in Orlando has any similarities to the start of the season and how the club has grown. The coach notes how many new players were getting used to each other, implementing new systems, and developing chemistry.

He also cited the need to constantly tweak and how they have addressed each issue as it arises citing how the team used to have a terrible habit of starting every third quarter flat.

In spite of these constantly arising issues to fix or tweak he believes they are doing a great job considering they had over four months off.

The bench boss sees significant growth not just since season start but even in the time since they’ve arrived in Orlando.

He’s being humble, but this is the clutch time crew are the only team who is yet to lose between the scrimmages and the seeding games. Let’s hope that remains the case after the game today!