Barry Tramel wrote a big story on this topic on Monday. Tramel maintains it makes no sense changing a coach before the All-Star break and I agree. Just firing Billy Donovan by itself isn’t going to change the culture of this team 44 games into an NBA season.
Who knows, it might not change the culture 82 games in or however long it takes the Thunder to be eliminated in the Western Conference Playoffs.
So what is the Thunder culture heading into tonight’s home game versus the Lakers?
If I were a scout this is what I would write about OKC: ‘Potentially a championship contending team with interesting pieces. The team appears to be mentally lazy and unable to focus for significant stretches during a game. As a team, the team is not a good shooting team from either the field, from beyond the arc, nor at the free throw line. The team, especially Westbrook and George, usually can be expected to commit anywhere from 6 to 12 bad turnovers on a given night. Perimeter defense is predicated on Andre Roberson and what kind of mood Westbrook, Paul, and Anthony find themselves in on a given night.
Highly inconsistent team which at times appears to be halfway coaching itself rather than the other way around. On a good night—they can beat anybody. On a bad night they are literally unwatchable and you want to set them on fire.
Long term take on the season-Thunder should continue along this path and maybe finish somewhere in the 46-48 win range as the schedule gets markedly tougher entering February. First or second round exit probable.’
So…. that’s what I would write.
It makes no sense to fire Billy Donovan right now. This is as much Sam Presti and the three stars’ fault as it is Billy Donovan’s.
As I’ve stated before–there are three basic rules of coaching.
1 Players make the coach.
2 Good coaches coach through their unique character and personality.
3 From Day 1 you’re hired to at some point be fired.
There is a fourth rule and I’m invoking it right now.
4 All good teams, to varying degrees, coach themselves from within.
So, tonight, as the Thunder start to make a turn towards the All-Star break and the trade deadline…my take is firing Billy Donovan right now makes no sense. What makes more sense is for Russell Westbrook, Paul George, and Carmelo Anthony to start leading this team not by their postgame words, but by their play on the floor for all 48 minutes in a game.
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Between Caligula and this god forsaken basketball team, I could use some Tom Petty on this very cold morning in Deer Creek.