Oklahoma City Thunder star Kevin Durant has approved the appointment of Billy Donovan as the team’s new head coach ahead of next season.
READ MORE:
Thunder hire Donovan: Gators coach leaves college basketball behind.
Donovan in formal talks with OKC: Set to be announced as Brooks’ successor.
Ollie turns down Thunder: UConn coach won’t be leaving this summer.
Durant was speaking on the phone and addressed the news that OKC had hired the former Florida Gators coach, and he stressed that his lack of experience in the NBA wasn’t a concern for him.
The Thunder had been looking for a new coach after opting to fire Scott Brooks at the end of the regular season after he failed to deliver a championship to the organisation in his seven years in charge.
OKC missed out on the playoffs this year, but injuries were an issue throughout the season with Durant sidelined for a lengthy period due to a foot problem.
However, that didn’t save Brooks from being sent packing, and so Donovan will now be tasked with leading the team. It appears as though he has a supporter in Durant for now.
“When you don’t have a coach, it’s a lot of uncertainty in the building,” Durant said by phone, as reported by ESPN.
“But coming into the practice facility today, I felt like it was a next step for us. It was an exciting feeling for everybody that was there at the gym today to learn that we got Billy as our coach. We’re excited, so we’re looking forward to it.”
The reigning league MVP insisted that as long as he knows how to coach a team, experience matters little in the NBA. It is also worth noting that the former Gators coach won two NCAA titles during his stint in Florida, and does in fact bring a wealth of experience with him.
However, it remains to be seen how he can translate that into life in the NBA, and the Thunder will want immediate results given Durant’s upcoming free agency decision next summer.
COMMENTS