By Shun Go To PostHe can play with the right coach. He's just a ball dominant PG that needs to rework and regain his confidence.Ellis probably won't be back anyway, so...
Ellis is pretty ball dominant so I don't know if that's a good combo but it could work. I still have faith in Lin.
He doesn't have to be a starter and can work well as a 6th man.
By Shun Go To PostHe can play with the right coach. He's just a ball dominant PG that needs to rework and regain his confidence.Monta does most of his work with the ball in his hands, but he's not as selfish about calling for the ball anymore.
Ellis is pretty ball dominant so I don't know if that's a good combo but it could work. I still have faith in Lin.
He doesn't have to be a starter and can work well as a 6th man.
But if Monta isn't back for the Mavs then they really are just blowing it up and should trade dirk (for dirks sake).
Monta meshed pretty well with Baron Davis. I just assumed his recent stint of hero ball would make it difficult to play alongside Lin, who thrives off the pick and roll and fast pace offense. Ellis and Curry didn't really work out.
By reilo Go To Post
By Forever Go To PostWord is that Bropez will opt out and that he wants to stay. So we'll be giving him the 5 year max.Kind of silly, maybe don't have much of a choice anyways.
By RBK Go To PostKind of silly, maybe don't have much of a choice anyways.If we're going to max him I'd rather do it now than after the cap increase.
RT @SportsCenter: THIS JUST IN: Thunder & Florida coach Billy Donovan formally discussing team's coaching vacancy. (via @ESPNSteinLine) http://t.co/v5feXxmzXj
By Forever Go To PostWord is that Bropez will opt out and that he wants to stay. So we'll be giving him the 5 year max.What the fuck
As in 5/100+?
By psychintellect Go To PostWhat the fuckyeah fuck that lol
As in 5/100+?
It's just the health issues. We all know the talent is there.
They're better off letting him waulk honestly. Sign and trade him even, Brooklyn should just rebuild and fire Billy King.
They're better off letting him waulk honestly. Sign and trade him even, Brooklyn should just rebuild and fire Billy King.
Look, motherfuckers were talking about dumping him for Perkins and Lamb.
If he still wants to retire here after that then pay the man imo.
If he still wants to retire here after that then pay the man imo.
By Forever Go To PostLook, motherfuckers were talking about dumping him for Perkins and Lamb.Uhhh no.
If he still wants to retire here after that then pay the man imo.
I also doubt his contract is even insurable. Which makes it even 10x worse.
Would i pay him 5 x 10M? sure. His talent is worth that risk i guess.
but not 5 x 20M.
I just really like Lopez. He's a great guy, and irrationally loyal. I'm allowed to be irrational too.
By reilo Go To PostRT @SportsCenter: THIS JUST IN: Thunder & Florida coach Billy Donovan formally discussing team's coaching vacancy. (via @ESPNSteinLine) http://t.co/v5feXxmzXjUninspiring hire but he has been considered the favorite for quite some time.
I'd still like us to wait and consider Messina when the Spurs get knocked out, or try to gauge Carlisle's interest.
By Dark PhaZe Go To PostKeikakuWhy?
Donovan just isn't an nba coach
Didn't Billy Donovan take an NBA job and then renege a few years ago?
By RBK Go To PostIt's just the health issues. We all know the talent is there.Rebuild with what? They have no picks for like the next decade.
They're better off letting him waulk honestly. Sign and trade him even, Brooklyn should just rebuild and fire Billy King.
the Nyets are fucked, I guess getting brook makes sense since they will want to have 1 player to try to get FA's with. But if he gets hurt (again) they will be even more fucked
By KingGondo Go To PostWhy?
i think timing matters a lot with college coaches--I liked him years back when he felt like he was coming off of big things at Florida and wanted to take his career to the next level, but when he signed and bailed on Orlando, that told me that he just wasn't about it. Some of that was probably his wife in his ear, but NBA coaches really have to be completely ready to throw family life to the bushes. And his Florida teams have been good since, but there's nothing that he's accomplished that gives his time at Florida any kind of finality.
TLDR; Wishy washy, not sure whats motivating him to make the leap now, you want a super commited guy coaching your team. Basketball wise he's good, great eye for talent too, but I think a lot of his strengths are suited for the college game. Connecting with kids, being a leader in his community, big on academics. Nothing screams "pros" to me with him. I think he's gonna get chewed alive in an NBA locker room the second shit goes south.
By rodeoclown Go To PostRebuild with what? They have no picks for like the next decade.I don't know man.
I feel bad for them honestly.
By Dark PhaZe Go To Posti think timing matters a lot with college coaches–I liked him years back when he felt like he was coming off of big things at Florida and wanted to take his career to the next level, but when he signed and bailed on Orlando, that told me that he just wasn't about it. Some of that was probably his wife in his ear, but NBA coaches really have to be completely ready to throw family life to the bushes. And his Florida teams have been good since, but there's nothing that he's accomplished that gives his time at Florida any kind of finality.I like how your TL;DR was almost as long as the original paragraph. Lulz.
TLDR; Wishy washy, not sure whats motivating him to make the leap now, you want a super commited guy coaching your team. Basketball wise he's good, great eye for talent too, but I think a lot of his strengths are suited for the college game. Connecting with kids, being a leader in his community, big on academics. Nothing screams "pros" to me with him. I think he's gonna get chewed alive in an NBA locker room the second shit goes south.
I agree that he wouldn't work with a lot of NBA teams, but the Thunder have already established kind of a college culture with the team and with the fanbase. It isn't a tumultuous, ego-filled locker room.
All that really matters is that he's able to connect with KD, Westbrook and Ibaka and everyone else will fall in line. As long as his in-game decision making and tactics translate, he'll be a solid hire.
Plus this puts us in pole position for Noah/Horford/Brad Beal.
KEIKAKU.
You want Noah at current form?
Ayyyyy
Wouldn't even mind if you trade him straight for Morrow+Waiters at offsseason
Ayyyyy
Wouldn't even mind if you trade him straight for Morrow+Waiters at offsseason
Damn, I didn't realize opinion had soured on him that much.
I suppose I'll try to stay happy with Adams.
I suppose I'll try to stay happy with Adams.
By reilo Go To PostDonovan, lol Presti.Is he a bad coach?
By reilo Go To PostDonovan, lol Presti.What's wrong with Donovan?
By KingGondo Go To PostWhat's wrong with Donovan?The problem with Brooks was that he was limited in his execution of the team's plan. By all accounts, he was a decent if not really good motivator but his Xs and Os lacked, and his schemes were predictable. Like Zach Lowe said, the reasons you fire Brooks today are exactly the same as the ones you fire him for 2 or 3 years ago. The Thunder really needed someone that wasn't just good at developing talent but also great at executing every detail it in a 100+ game season, which Brooks clearly lacked.
Now, in order to upgrade the coaching position, Presti goes after... a college coach? One with zero NBA experience? One that hasn't been in the NBA, that hasn't dealt with the grueling schedule, players in contract years, with the pressure and with how really fucking good teams are becoming in utilizing every weapon at their disposal (stats, videos, scouting) that he probably didn't have access to in college because money and resource for that stuff pale in comparison to the NBA.
So you hire this guy in the most obvious win-now window of all fucking time to put you over the hump? Okay.
By reilo Go To PostThe problem with Brooks was that he was limited in his execution of the team's plan. By all accounts, he was a decent if not really good motivator but his Xs and Os lacked, and his schemes were predictable. Like Zach Lowe said, the reasons you fire Brooks today are exactly the same as the ones you fire him for 2 or 3 years ago. The Thunder really needed someone that wasn't just good at developing talent but also great at executing every detail it in a 100+ game season, which Brooks clearly lacked.He briefly played in the NBA, but that's a fair point. I can't claim to know that much about him, but I also think you're giving far too little credit to a guy who has made FLORIDA a perennial power with lots of NBA talent produced.
Now, in order to upgrade the coaching position, Presti goes after… a college coach? One with zero NBA experience? One that hasn't been in the NBA, that hasn't dealt with the grueling schedule, players in contract years, with the pressure and with how really fucking good teams are becoming in utilizing every weapon at their disposal (stats, videos, scouting) that he probably didn't have access to in college because money and resource for that stuff pale in comparison to the NBA.
So you hire this guy in the most obvious win-now window of all fucking time to put you over the hump? Okay.
P.S. The rumblings are getting louder: http://sports.yahoo.com/news/sources--thunder-preparing-offer--pushing-to-hire-florida-coach-billy-donovan-145628237.html
Guess we'll find out what he's made of sooner rather than later.
That's just good fucking recruiting, man. If that was the test of a college coach's NBA potential, then you'd hire Calipari.
By reilo Go To PostThat's just good fucking recruiting, man. If that was the test of a college coach's NBA potential, then you'd hire Calipari.He isn't even close to Cal from a recruiting perspective though. In spite of back to back national titles and a stellar record of producing successful pros (seriously, the list is ridiculous) they've only had 4 top-10 recruiting classes since 2007 according to 24/7.
I put a lot of stock in the fact that he's consistently produced quality professional players.
Bradley Beal
Matt Bonner
Corey Brewer
Nick Calathes
Udonis Haslem
Al Horford
Joakim Noah
David Lee
Mike Miller
Chandler Parsons
Marreese Speights
Jason Williams
I mean, sure, but none of those guys are the best player on a team caliber. Maybe Horford? Otherwise that's a giant list of role players.
By reilo Go To PostI mean, sure, but none of those guys are the best player on a team caliber. Maybe Horford? Otherwise that's a giant list of role players.They're guys who have consistently played well and stuck around for a long time in the NBA. Being an NBA role player is a pretty damn good accomplishment, and it's rare (especially for a program like Florida) to produce guys like that consistently.
To me that means that he teaches skills and habits that translate to the next level.
/shrug
You don't need a teacher, you need someone that can execute at a championship level. If it was about developing talent or whatnot, Brooks would've been just fine.
And I mean, all of those players stuck around for what? A season? Maybe two? What can you really evaluate from less than a full seasons worth of NBA games?
You don't need a teacher, you need someone that can execute at a championship level. If it was about developing talent or whatnot, Brooks would've been just fine.
And I mean, all of those players stuck around for what? A season? Maybe two? What can you really evaluate from less than a full seasons worth of NBA games?
By reilo Go To Post/shrugHe can execute on a championship level. 6 SEC titles, 4 final fours, 2 national titles.
You don't need a teacher, you need someone that can execute at a championship level. If it was about developing talent or whatnot, Brooks would've been just fine.
And I mean, all of those players stuck around for what? A season? Maybe two? What can you really evaluate from less than a full seasons worth of NBA games?
Actually, I believe Horford and Noah stayed at UF for 3 seasons. To me that's encouraging that they were able to be good NBA players immediately, since a lot of upperclassmen underperform when they get to the league.
From what I hear his offense is very PnR heavy as well, which should suit the NBA just fine.
I'm not ecstatic with the hire or anything, but considering our current roster he'd have to be pretty bad to fuck things up.
By KingGondo Go To PostHe can execute on a championship level. 6 SEC titles, 4 final fours, 2 national titles.But you're missing my point... He's being brought in because they didn't think Brooks could lead them to a championship. The fuckup would be not accomplishing that goal. That's literally what is at stake here.
Actually, I believe Horford and Noah stayed at UF for 3 seasons. To me that's encouraging that they were able to be good NBA players immediately, since a lot of upperclassmen underperform when they get to the league.
From what I hear his offense is very PnR heavy as well, which should suit the NBA just fine.
I'm not ecstatic with the hire or anything, but considering our current roster he'd have to be pretty bad to fuck things up.
It's unfair but it is what it is.
:-\
It's risky as hell cause OKC needs a win-now coach and a lot of college ball coaches probably couldn't win at all let alone at the championship level.
This is a hire you make when your roster is young or has low expectations. Not like there's an amazing coach available, but thats another reason Brooks shoulda been gone after YN and KD became who they are.
This is a hire you make when your roster is young or has low expectations. Not like there's an amazing coach available, but thats another reason Brooks shoulda been gone after YN and KD became who they are.
By reilo Go To PostBut you're missing my point… He's being brought in because they didn't think Brooks could lead them to a championship. The fuckup would be not accomplishing that goal. That's literally what is at stake here.Eh, I don't think it's chip or bust. I think it's contend or bust.
It's unfair but it is what it is.
:-\
My anxiety about KD leaving is actually at an all-time low. The only way that'll change is if next season is disastrous.
By Moris Go To PostIt's risky as hell cause OKC needs a win-now coach and a lot of college ball coaches probably couldn't win at all let alone at the championship level.To be fair, Donovan is not a typical college coach. He's a consensus top-10, maybe even a top-5 guy. Winning big at a place like Florida is impressive as hell, especially since he doesn't have any pre-existing ties to the region.
This is a hire you make when your roster is young or has low expectations. Not like there's an amazing coach available, but thats another reason Brooks shoulda been gone after YN and KD became who they are.
This roster is built to win now, and as long as Donovan isn't an assclown (he isn't) and we stay healthy (fingers crossed) then we'll be right there in contention again.
I agree that we should have parted ways with Brooks after the 2012 Finals, but KD wanted him back. Just think, in an alternate reality it could be reilo complaining about Brooks' rotations.
But healthy OKC team contends regardless, so I don't know how you can think WCF-ceiling is what they're going for in a coach.
By reilo Go To PostBut healthy OKC team contends regardless, so I don't know how you can think WCF-ceiling is what they're going for in a coach.I'm personally going to judge Donovan on how he evaluates players, manages lineups, institutes a system on both offense and defense, and draws up crucial plays in crunch time. Good signs would include:
- Benching Dion Waiters
- Improving ball movement
- Increasing Ibaka's role in the offense, especially late in games
- A defensive system that limits shots at the rim and three-point attempts instead of relying on our athleticism and Ibaka to contest them
- One of either KD or Westbrook on the floor AT ALL TIMES
If he's better than Brooks in those areas then I'll be happy because we're going to have a much better chance of getting over the hump late in the playoffs.
But you can get all of that from Mike Malone or similar, without the steep steep steeeeeep learning curve.
Billy Donovan is over-coaching personified. His track record shows he'd be a terrible fit at OKC.
He might change his coaching style overnight, but I'm not optimistic.
EDIT: It took Brad Stevens, who by all accounts, is a brilliant college coach, at least a season and a half to adjust to the pros. You put Donovan in that situation and it's got disaster written all over it.
He might change his coaching style overnight, but I'm not optimistic.
EDIT: It took Brad Stevens, who by all accounts, is a brilliant college coach, at least a season and a half to adjust to the pros. You put Donovan in that situation and it's got disaster written all over it.
By HasphatsAnts Go To PostBilly Donovan is over-coaching personified. His track record shows he'd be a terrible fit at OKC.Stevens also came in with no expectations and a super young roster in turmoil and growth.
He might change his coaching style overnight, but I'm not optimistic.
EDIT: It took Brad Stevens, who by all accounts, is a brilliant college coach, at least a season and a half to adjust to the pros. You put Donovan in that situation and it's got disaster written all over it.
By HasphatsAnts Go To PostBilly Donovan is over-coaching personified. His track record shows he'd be a terrible fit at OKC.What do you mean specifically? Examples?
He might change his coaching style overnight, but I'm not optimistic.
By KingGondo Go To PostWhat do you mean specifically? Examples?
Watch his meltdown against Michigan in the 2013 Elite 8, or the lack of adjustments in the 2014 Final 4, or his loss against Butler in the Elite 8 in 2011.
Particularly that Butler game because he was going up against Stevens, and Stevens coached circles around him.
He's not a good in-game coach.
By HasphatsAnts Go To PostWatch his meltdown against Michigan in the 2013 Elite 8, or the lack of adjustments in the 2014 Final 4, or his loss against Butler in the Elite 8 in 2011.Thanks for the info. I'll check those games out.
Particularly that Butler game because he was going up against Stevens, and Stevens coached circles around him.
He's not a good in-game coach.