The Oklahoma City Thunder shocked the NBA world announcing Tuesday the firing of head
coach Billy Donovan.
According to ESPN, “the mutual parting of ways,” or firing in my book, comes on the eve of Donovan’s contact being up this year with the sides deciding against pursuing a possible extension.
Donovan has been nothing short of exception since joining the Thunder five years ago going 243-157 with records that far exceeded the talent on the roster each season.
The former Florida Gator coach reached the playoffs each season but never advanced past the first round where the coaching and talent superseded them.
This season, the Thunder had under a 1% chance of making the playoffs after trading star forward Paul George and Thunder legendary guard Russell Westbrook but with veteran Chris Paul at the helm and Donovan’s consistent approach Oklahoma City went 44-28 securing the number five seed in the Western Conference playoffs and taking a far superior (Talent-wise) Houston Rockets seven games.
Donovan will surely have many suitors this off-season including the Pacers, Bulls, 76ers and Pelicans.
Since beginning coaching, Donovan is a two-time National Champion and a coach of the year both in college and the pro’s.
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