OKC Thunder: Donovan Impresses In Introductory Press Conference

Billy Donovan was very impressive during his introduction Friday, but once the season starts, it's about wins and losses. 

Friday, May 1st 2015, 4:36 pm

By: News 9


Billy Donovan has his first victory in Oklahoma City before he has even coached a game for the Thunder.

Friday afternoon's introductory press conference was as impressive as anyone in the Thunder organization could have hoped. If there are still doubters about Donovan's hiring, they probably won't be appeased until Kevin Durant raises the Larry O'Brien Trophy next June and then re-signs a few weeks later.

It's easy to see why Sam Presti was so high on Donovan from the start. The former Florida head coach said everything you'd expect a Presti employee to say, right down to the emphasis on community involvement and using the term “process” about 20 times.

But where Presti answers questions by using a lot of big words to disguise and dodge, Donovan did no such thing on Friday. He answered questions thoughtfully and honestly with a side of humor (Donovan said he didn't recruit Durant to Florida because he “didn't think he was good enough” and also claimed to be more athletic in his playing days than Russell Westbrook).

Donovan even told a moving story of the last time he was in Oklahoma City—a week after the OKC bombing, attending an AAU tournament. It seems wrong to say Donovan is a perfect fit for the Thunder because he has a small window into what the city went through that day 20 years ago, but love for community is the cornerstone of this franchise and in that regard, Donovan is perfect.

Some may take all his talk about community and team as a sign he's already in the Thunder's suppressive clutches, but Donovan and his family were very active in the Gainesville community in their 19 years there, so Donovan's passion for community involvement isn't anything new; it's part of who he is.

Donovan didn't dodge any questions, although he was wise in not tipping his hand on several things, including apprehensions about transitioning to the NBA from college (although he acknowledged it would be a learning process) and whether or not he'll bring his staff from Florida to Oklahoma City (“The important thing is getting people who fit the culture as well as people who are skilled,” Donovan said.)

When asked about Durant's pending free agency next summer, Donovan was fairly forthright, saying he felt Durant and the Thunder organization were a great fit. Donovan said he will be spending a lot of time with Durant in the next few weeks as Durant rehabs from his latest surgery.

Despite the impressive showing on Friday, Donovan will still be judged by wins and losses, not by how involved he is in the community. And it will be more difficult to do that without Durant sticking around for years to come.

Donovan winning the press conference may have convinced everyone the Thunder hired the right coach to replace Scott Brooks, but when the season starts in November, this press conference will be a distant memory.

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