Hoops Habit
Fansided

NBA: The Big Question Facing Every Team In 2015-16

By Gerald Bourguet

Oct 20, 2015; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant (35) dribbles the ball as Utah Jazz forward Gordon Hayward (20) defends during the first quarter at EnergySolutions Arena. Mandatory Credit: Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 20, 2015; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant (35) dribbles the ball as Utah Jazz forward Gordon Hayward (20) defends during the first quarter at EnergySolutions Arena. Mandatory Credit: Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
22 of 31
Next
NBA
Sep 28, 2015; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder forward Nick Collison (4), Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant (35) Oklahoma City Thunder head coach Billy Donovan, Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) and Oklahoma City Thunder forward Serge Ibaka (9) pose for photos during media day at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports /

Oklahoma City Thunder

Can A New Head Coach Nip KD’s Free Agency In The Bud?

Scott Brooks was an underrated developer of young talent in this league, but with the arrival of Billy Donovan, the Oklahoma City Thunder finally have a head coach capable of drawing up a play beyond that of “Give the ball to Kevin Durant or Russell Westbrook.” It’s a good thing too, since another year of disappointment could easily close OKC’s title window even sooner than expected.

In just a few months, Kevin Durant will headline the summer’s list of top free agents. The entire league will be dissecting his every word about free agency until then, quietly praying the Thunder’s season implodes and he seriously considers greener pastures. It’s Billy Donovan’s job to make sure that doesn’t happen.

There is no NBA coach under more pressure — first year or not — than Donovan in 2015-16. It might not take a championship to re-sign Durant next summer, but at the very least, the Thunder have to re-stake their claim for supremacy in the West. If it doesn’t all come together this season, OKC has to make KD feel good about his ability to win a title there in the future.

With Donovan keeping Steven Adams as the starter, bringing Enes Kanter’s scoring off the bench, implementing a new offense and hopefully benefitting from improved health, the Thunder can be a bonafide title contender in 2015-16. They just have to finally catch all the right breaks.

Next: Orlando Magic