By reilo Go To PostLook at you spinning like a dreidel.I'm not spinning shit.
Almost any coaching hire is a risk. Donovan carries some risk as well, but his coaching record is pretty damn sparkling up to this point.
By knux-future Go To PostTBF sans Phil Jackson or Pat Riley walking through that door…there weren't many great options…so why not reach for the unknown? Lets not act like Steve Kerr didn't just step into GS and has them contending, he never coached in his life.But he's an NBA-lifer. The jump from college to NBA is exponential. Billy hasn't been part of the modern-day NBA grind, ever.
By KingGondo Go To PostI'm not spinning shit.IN COLLEGE
Almost any coaching hire is a risk. Donovan carries some risk as well, but his coaching record is pretty damn sparkling up to this point.
I understand that but honestly its either some hasbeen that never was or some new dude. Its not that big of a gap IMO.
I really hope Orlando hires brooks and we get some weird sort of Orlando/OKC rivalry for 2 games a season
By psychintellect Go To Posthe literally can't be worse than brooks, good jab okcGet clowned because my coach is Brooks and Perk plays too much.
Brooks gets replaced and Perk is traded... OMG PRESTI IS SUCH AN IDIOT!
See the kind of shit I have to put up with? Y'all are lucky I still grace SLAENT with my presence.
By KingGondo Go To PostGet clowned because my coach is Brooks and Perk plays too much.Not here but on other boards being a Sixers fan is "fun". Turner went from scrub, to potential all star after we traded him. MCW was garbage tier and yet not he's suddenly some uncovered gem that we gave up for free. Goal Posts be moving (this happens on both sides...MCW went from being the future to a scrub who will always be awful and Hinkie is Jesus so fuck you...)
Brooks gets replaced and Perk is traded… OMG PRESTI IS SUCH AN IDIOT!
See the kind of shit I have to put up with? Y'all are lucky I still grace SLAENT with my presence.
By reilo Go To PostThe point in replacing Brooks was to get someone clearly better not someone probably the same.Brooks had never done *anything* before he became the head coach and he turned out pretty good.
Donovan's track record puts Brooks' pre-head coaching record to shame.
By knux-future Go To PostNot here but on other boards being a Sixers fan is "fun". Turner went from scrub, to potential all star after we traded him. MCW was garbage tier and yet not he's suddenly some uncovered gem that we gave up for free. Goal Posts be moving (this happens on both sides…MCW went from being the future to a scrub who will always be awful and Hinkie is Jesus so fuck you…)
to be fair Turner was always pretty good and should have a good career as a roleplayer. The problem was the 76'ers wanted him to be better because of how high they drafted him and they would go to hard defending him which made it easy to say he isn't that nice based on their standards. Add to it he was playing next to iggy who did everything he does well better and yeah he got shitted on.
By KingGondo Go To PostBrooks had never done *anything* before he became the head coach and he turned out pretty good.Brooks was brought in to a 21-win team. You understand this. I don't know why you are ignoring the situation. The context of the hirings here is everything.
Donovan's track record puts Brooks' pre-head coaching record to shame.
By reilo Go To PostBrooks was brought in to a 21-win team. You understand this. I don't know why you are ignoring the situation. The context of the hirings here is everything.There is no such thing as a slam dunk hire unless we brought on Pop or Phil Jax.
I'm not ignoring anything. There's some risk involved, but there are lots of reasons to believe that Donovan can be successful here.
Here's the context of the hire: Brooks was good for us for a time, but he had some glaring deficiencies. I'm sure that Presti had those weaknesses in mind when he brought in Brooks' replacement. Sometimes, a fresh set of eyes and a tweaked approach can make all the difference in the world.
By KingGondo Go To PostOMG PRESTI IS SUCH AN IDIOT!
Some of us have been saying that for years.
I personally don't think Billy D is a bad hire but at the same time firing the coach and hiring someone without talking with the 2 superstars seems like a big (and somewhat unnecessary) gamble.
By jjasper Go To PostSome of us have been saying that for years.There's no way that Presti made such a big move without at least gauging the thoughts of KD and Russ. I'm not saying it was a group decision, but I don't buy it for a second that they were kept in the dark.
I personally don't think Billy D is a bad hire but at the same time firing the coach and hiring someone without talking with the 2 superstars seems like a big (and somewhat unnecessary) gamble.
Also, considering that keeping our superstars is priority #1, I'm sure that Presti prioritized hiring someone whose personality would work with our existing roster.
By @SchultzReportHearing Billy Donovan will want an associate HC or lead assistant who is a former NBA head coach.This is a very good sign.
All indications from all parties is that Presti didn't talk to anyone. That might just be everyone on the same page to make it seem like the stars aren't running the team and Durant and his agent wanting to be able to play that card if he wants out who knows.
Anyway I would say there is probably a 90% chance Nick Calathes is your back up/3rd string PG next year.
Anyway I would say there is probably a 90% chance Nick Calathes is your back up/3rd string PG next year.
By jjasper Go To PostAll indications from all parties is that Presti didn't talk to anyone. That might just be everyone on the same page to make it seem like the stars aren't running the team and Durant and his agent wanting to be able to play that card if he wants out who knows.I agree that it'll be interesting to see if we go after former Gators.
Anyway I would say there is probably a 90% chance Nick Calathes is your back up/3rd string PG next year.
We already know that Presti loved Bradley Beal and he seems to be stagnating somewhat with the Wiz...
Y'all act as if Thunder will get a chip. Based God Curse is real. My only true regret for wishing the Pelicans got in over the Thunder is that Lil B doesn't get to buy every Courtside Thunder game to rap his Fuck KD diss.
Still unproven is unproven. There are plenty of Phil Jackson and Gregg Popovich spawn who have become head coaches, crashed, and failed. Donovan can pan out fine like Kerr, but he really has to be patient and change the team culture and instill confidence back into the players.
We'll see though. If Donovan runs KD and YN into the ground with a fuck ton of minutes, I don't see this team going in deep if the bench doesn't step up and if KD/YN holds as big of a burden as they have in the past years.
Still unproven is unproven. There are plenty of Phil Jackson and Gregg Popovich spawn who have become head coaches, crashed, and failed. Donovan can pan out fine like Kerr, but he really has to be patient and change the team culture and instill confidence back into the players.
We'll see though. If Donovan runs KD and YN into the ground with a fuck ton of minutes, I don't see this team going in deep if the bench doesn't step up and if KD/YN holds as big of a burden as they have in the past years.
By Shun Go To PostDonovan can pan out fine like Kerr, but he really has to be patient and change the team culture and instill confidence back into the players.It sounds like a big reason he was hired was because he can continue the team culture.
Team culture wasn't the problem anyways. The problem was the head coach's rigidity.
By Moris Go To PostI hope the Billy D name sticks cause then I could get a lot use outta this:We're already using Billy Dee references on other Thunder sites.
By KingGondo Go To PostI agree that it'll be interesting to see if we go after former Gators.KD is far more likely to go to the Wiz than Beal is to go to OKC, be realistic here.
We already know that Presti loved Bradley Beal and he seems to be stagnating somewhat with the Wiz…
By Forever Go To PostKD is far more likely to go to the Wiz than Beal is to go to OKC, be realistic here.Neither is very likely at all, so you might be right.
At least there's confirmed interest in Beal from Presti and Donovan's side, instead of the facile speculation that KD will go to the Wiz because LeBron went back to the Cavs.
By KingGondo Go To PostNeither is very likely at all, so you might be right.Let's make another bet then.
At least there's confirmed interest in Beal from Presti and Donovan's side, instead of the facile speculation that KD will go to the Wiz because LeBron went back to the Cavs.
I win if KD goes to Washington.
You win if Beal goes to OKC.
Bet is off if neither happens by the time they sign their new contracts.
By Moris Go To PostKnicks have 1.Towns 2.Okafor 3.Mudiay 4.Russell 5.Winslow supposedlyHow the hell would their draft board leak?
By Forever Go To PostHow the hell would their draft board leak?because knicks.
By Forever Go To PostLet's make another bet then.Seems stacked in your favor tbh because KD will be a free agent next summer and good players rarely ever pass on their first post-rookie deal.
I win if KD goes to Washington.
You win if Beal goes to OKC.
Bet is off if neither happens by the time they sign their new contracts.
Not sure how a fair bet would work.
By Forever Go To PostHow the hell would their draft board leak?
By h3ro Go To Postbecause knicks.
Its sad because its true. Guess Towns is going first regardless if they get the 1st pick now. When there was a chance a team could take okafor 1st....
I am surprised at the mudiay at 3 though....
By psychintellect Go To PostIs Gerald Green worth the MLE?Will he get an offer higher than the MLE?he will almost definitely get higher than the MLE
By DY_nasty Go To Posthe will almost definitely get higher than the MLEI figured, we need a backup 2/shooters. Maybe Tyler Johnson or Dragic's bro(he actually plays just like Goran, shooting form and all)will pan out.
fuck
By psychintellect Go To PostI figured, we need a backup 2/shooters. Maybe Tyler Johnson or Dragic's bro(he actually plays just like Goran, shooting form and all)will pan out.Is Dragic staying confirmed?
fuck
But IWMTB said...
By Forever Go To PostIs Dragic staying confirmed?Pat Riley 'bet' his job on resigning Dragic so yeah, he's getting paid.
Also by all indications Dragic likes Miami and the organization is sucking his dick pretty harder than supahead
By Shun Go To PostSo who do you think's gonna foster Orlando's talent since Billy D is gone.The only guys they've been linked to so far are like Mike Malone and Scott Skiles. Malone would be a good hire, probably.
If Alvin Gentry wanted to coach, that would be a real good option for them.
By blackace Go To PostKevin Ollie might have been a better choice.They asked and he declined.
Maybe KD told him he's gone already.
Reading last offseason thread. People really got upset when I said LA would be one of the worst teams in the NBA in 14/15.
Giri, Psy eat your crow ya bishes.
Giri, Psy eat your crow ya bishes.