Inside The Thunder

Sam Presti Says Billy Donovan Should Get Consideration for Coach of the Year

Sam Presti Says Billy Donovan Deserves to be coach of the year.

Erik Gee

Wednesday, Sam Presti said Billy Donovan deserves consideration for NBA Coach of the Year. Nice to see the reserved Presti coming around to our way of thinking. We've been on the Donovan for COY bandwagon since February. 

 Besides Nick Nurse, who has Toronto in position to make a championship run without Kawhi Leonard or Rick Carlisle who's Mavericks' have been surprising at  40-27, it's hard to find anyone who has exceeded expectations the way Donovan has. Presti says the "scorecard that matters the most is the one we're keeping inside." 

But even he acknowledges Donovan deserves to be rewarded for helping the Thunder jell.  

"I really think he needs to be heavily considered for coach of the year."..."He's just tried to control the things he can control."

Presti Praises Donovan for keeping the Thunder "fresh and engaged" during the hiatus; he also gives Donovan credit for not overcoaching considering how much the roster changed last Summer. 

"I think Billy's done a great job relative to letting the guys play, giving them space and freedom."..."I think he's done a good job being creative with the ball-handlers we have and how to put those guys together."

One of Donovan's strengths that goes unnoticed, according to Presti, is his ability to reimagine players. Steven Adams is a perfect example of seeing someone you're familiar with in a different light. 

Adams is proving he can be one of the league's best passers, and Donovan is letting him use that skill to show he can make smart decisions when forced into tough situations. Forward/center Mike Muscala enjoys playing for Donovan because he allows players to voice any concerns they may have. 

"He holds us accountable, but he lets us express ourselves in our best way and our most comfortable way , while also holding us accountable as teammates and competitors."

Donovan credits the Thunder's success to the combination of the younger players and older players bonding. 

"Those veteran guys have really really invested in the younger guys."..."There's a really positive belief for one another inside the group." 

Donovan is in the last year of his contract and has not been extended. Presti says all conversations about Donovan's future will come at the end of the season.    

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With more than 20 years of experience hosting local and national radio shows, Erik Gee is a fixture of Oklahoma sports media. He has covered the Oklahoma City Thunder for the past six seasons. He is also the co-host of the Pat Jones show on 97.1 The Sports Animal in Tulsa.

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Erik Gee
ERIK GEE

With more than 20 years of experience hosting local and national radio shows, Erik Gee is a fixture of Oklahoma sports media. He has covered the Oklahoma City Thunder for the past six seasons. He is also the co-host of the Pat Jones show on 97.1 The Sports Animal in Tulsa. 

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