Billy Donovan didn’t take long to find a job, as he shouldn’t. Donovan will be the coach of the Chicago Bulls. Billy inherits the young core of Coby White, Lauri Markkanen, and Zach Lavine. Billy Donovan coming over from OKC will provide some new life to this Bulls team that has gone three years without a playoff visit. The job Donovan did in OKC was nothing short of miraculous, as Russel Westbrook was traded before the season for an aging Chris Paul.
Billy Donovan Did All He Could With The Thunder
Paul had a great season, and the Thunder made the playoffs as the fifth seed. The Thunder and Donovan made it to Game 7 against the Rockets. BPI (Basketball Power Index) gave the Thunder a 0.2% chance of making the playoffs. No question that Donovan had a lot to do with that.
The Thunder played hard for Donovan even after Westbrook and Kevin Durant both left town. His tenure in OKC turned sour, and he rejected a two-year extension before the NBA restart, knowing the bubble would be the last time he would be coaching the Thunder. Donovan is a good head coach. That’s hard to come by these days in the NBA. Just ask the Knicks.
Chicago Got A Good One
Now for Donovan’s new team, the Chicago Bulls. Donovan gets the chance to coach up a young team without the pressure of winning with superstars. He’ll do a great job in Chicago, and young players like Coby White and Lauri Markkanen will flourish with Donovan at the helm. Without the headache of having Westbrook shoot you out of games. Donovan is right for Chicago and works well with players that have a smart basketball mind. The Bulls have good young talent that Donovan can mold into great NBA stars.
