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OKC Thunder: 2015-16 Roundtable Discussion

By Austin Denean

Mar 18, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) reacts to his dunk against the Philadelphia 76ers during the third quarter at Wells Fargo Center. The Oklahoma City Thunder won 111-97.Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 18, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) reacts to his dunk against the Philadelphia 76ers during the third quarter at Wells Fargo Center. The Oklahoma City Thunder won 111-97.Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /
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March 2, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder head coach Billy Donovan watches game action against Los Angeles Clippers during the first half at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
March 2, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder head coach Billy Donovan watches game action against Los Angeles Clippers during the first half at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /

7. The Thunder decided to part ways with Scott Brooks before this season and brought in Billy Donovan. Was that a good move or should they have brought in someone else?

Eberley: They traded a cupcake coach who let his team do whatever they wanted, for a cupcake coach who lets him do whatever they want. Many Thunder fans will claim they see changes but I sure haven’t. The Thunder still play junk ball far too often, their defense still plays lackluster in big moments. There were and are better options available.

Bourguet: I’m not sure if there’s anyone specific who would’ve been a better fit. I like Donovan and I believed that the Thunder were going to outgrow Scott Brooks, but I was more inclined to give Brooks one more year to make things work. Bringing in Donovan for the final year of Durant’s contract put an inordinate amount of pressure on the new head coach to succeed, even if it showed a commitment to putting a championship product on the court.

Unfortunately, the same issues that plagued Brooks are now plaguing Donovan, and a second round exit is hardly the best way to prove to your franchise player that things are moving in the right direction.

Hanneke: It wasn’t a smart move because Scott Brooks was a good coach that people liked to complain about. He had a top-five offense every season except his last (because everyone was injured, like EVERYONE), and his defenses were usually top-tier as well (top-five in 2012-13 and 2013-14.) He reached the conference finals three times and the Finals once. The team was really, really good, save for those nagging injuries.

You could have hired a monkey and a healthy Thunder team would have at least made the playoffs this year, but I guess Donovan is a slight upgrade over that? I really don’t see any glaring differences between his system and Brooks’, and the only thing he has done differently is stagger Durant and Westbrook’s minutes, but I don’t even think he’s doing that correctly. So, they’re fine with him and they have great assistants (if they come back this season), so it wasn’t a bad move. It just wasn’t a necessary one.

Woods: I think the Thunder’s issues were always less about coaching and more about the personnel, but it was probably time for Brooks to go when he did. I think it’s too early to determine whether or not Donovan is a good hire, although I’ve written many words on how Donovan hasn’t been the savior Oklahoma City was hoping for.

Next: Have they reached the ceiling?

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