Monday Bolts – 5.4.15

Norman Chad of the Washington Post: “Somewhere in an Oklahoma City saloon, Scott Brooks just spit out a gin and tonic that lost its flavor and is pondering his NBA mortality, postmortem. But we’ll get back to Brooks in a moment. There are only 30 NBA head coaches, making that fraternity a more exclusive club than, say, the 100-member U.S. Senate. In addition, U.S. senators get a six-year term and often can buy their way into multiple six-year terms; NBA coaches are more season-to-season and, with the exception of Gregg Popovich, generally are ex-coaches working on ESPN within three years.”

Brad Stevens advised Billy Donovan on the NBA jump: “I hope for his sake they’re healthy and ready to roll,” Stevens said. “He’s good. I’ve always described Billy when friends have asked me what Billy Donovan is like; he’s a normal guy trying to get better at his job.”

Klay Thompson’s dad says the Warriors want to sign Kevin Durant in 2016.

Berry Tramel with a look into the history of Billy the Kid: “The Florida Times-Union later asked Donovan about the Billy the Kid campaign. ‘I did not want to do that,’ Donovan said. ‘Getting me to do that was a way to probably boost my self-esteem, my confidence. And that media guide, I hope that’s no longer able to be found.’ Alas, the media guide image lives. So does the legend of Billy Donovan, not to mention quite a basketball career. All because Northeastern and Fairfield turned down a shooting guard who led a team to the Final Four.”

Steph Curry is the 2014-15 MVP. Russell Westbrook finished fourth.

Darnell Mayberry: “Donovan’s description sounds exactly like the system the Thunder tried to implement at the start of this season. Only the team’s efforts were derailed by a season-long rash of injuries. Still, that enhanced tactical component is one Oklahoma City has looked to improve for years so that the offense wouldn’t be a glorified two-man game that was overly reliant on the superb talents of Russell Westbrook and Kevin Durant.”

I wrote a thing about Billy Donovan’s big challenge ahead.

Tony Dungy is close with Billy Donovan and praised his hire.

Tramel on Donovan: “Billy the Kid started talking, and you knew for sure a new sheriff was in town. When you heard Billy Donovan tawk about the Thunda, the Long Island accent jumped across the table, into the bowels of Chesapeake Arena and all throughout not just Boomtown but to everyone who holds the Thunder dear. Most of which talks a little funny ourself. But strange thing Friday. The longer Donovan talked, the less you noticed the Long Island and the more you noticed the leadership. The less you noticed the sound and the more you noticed the substance.”

A big list of college coaches making the jump to the NBA. One thing to note about that: If you look at who’s won NBA titles the last 30 years, it’s only a handful of coaches. So it’s kind of hard to draw a fine line on that and make a firm determination.