OKC Thunder: 5 Takeaways From 2016-17 Media Day

OKC Thunder: 5 Takeaways From Media Day 2016-17

By Joshua Lea | Sep 27, 2016

Mar 11, 2016; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder center Steven Adams (12) and center Enes Kanter (11) react to a call in action against the Minnesota Timberwolves during the second quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports /

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Sep 23, 2016; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Victor Oladipo (5), Oklahoma City Thunder head coach Billy Donovan and Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) pose for portraits during Oklahoma City Thunder media day at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports /

5. This season officially begins Billy Donovan’s coaching career

Last season, Billy Donovan began his first full year of coaching in the NBA. This season is a completely new chapter. Billy Donovan went from having Kevin Durant and Serge Ibaka to Victor Oladipo and Ersan Ilyasova.

Instead of coaching a possible big three, Donovan will have to mold a superstar with a variety of role players.

This season will rewrite the short chapter of Donovan’s head coaching job in the NBA. If the OKC Thunder can challenge or even win the west, then Donovan has to be a coach-of-the-year candidate.

The challenge will be getting the lineups and matchups correct game in and game out. The second unit will need someone who can score, as well as a smart defender. The starting five will be a mixture of talent with Westbrook leading the charge.

Donovan will have to out coach night in and night out the way he did during the San Antonio series last year.

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The OKC Thunder will arguably be the most exciting team to watch next season. How well the team gels early in the season will determine if we get a seven-game series between OKC and Golden State.

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