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OKLAHOMA CITY – Thunder General Manager Sam Presti said on Monday "we are anticipating Billy [Donovan] be back, "referring to whether the team's head coach will be back next season.
Presti said that he had not yet met Donovan officially, but that he plans to do so in the coming days, leaving the door closed for something to change. Asked if "anticipate" means that Donovan will coach next season, Presti has responded to this expectation.
"I would not expect anything to change," he said. "I have not yet had the opportunity to sit down with him, I think it's important to have his point of view on things because he does not have a chance to sit down with him." There is someone who works harder than him, I think he should take the time to think about the season itself. " and have a very good conversation. "
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Donovan is entering the final year of a five-year contract that he signed when he was hired by the Thunder in 2015 after the franchise was fired by Scott Brooks. The Thunder exercised a team option for the 2019-2020 season on the Donovan contract last December.
The Thunder had a "disappointing" and "frustrating" season, said Presti, who was eliminated in the first round in five games. Portland Trail Blazers. The Thunder was 37-19 at one point in the season, but stumbled into the stretch, finishing 49-33. Presti said that he considered the season as good at 70% and bad at 30%, but it's also the third straight out of the first round for the Thunder.
"I do not think you can ignore the fact that we were screwed in the playoffs," Presti said. "There is no way around that, but I think that any objective and anyone who is more than a momentary problem solver would probably take a step back and look at the problem in his or her mind." To try to answer your question, that is to say to have this answer, and I would think that if I did, you should not listen to me because I would come here with an emotional perspective, what I can not do as a leader. "
Donovan guided the Thunder to the playoffs over the four seasons at the helm, including the Western Conference finals and a 3-1 lead over the Warriors' 73 wins in 2016 (the Thunder lost the series in seven games, then Kevin Durant joined the warriors in free agency). The Thunder then won 47 games, 48 games and 49 games.
"When we attended the Western Conference playoffs in 2016, in the two minutes following the final, I thought he had done a great job," Presti said. "I do not think it's different from what he was there."
Presti noted the defensive improvements of the Thunder this season (fourth in the defensive rankings), a stated goal for the offseason, and Donovan's mastery in the games after the match ends.
"I think he's doing a really good job," Presti said about Donovan. "But these jobs are really difficult, you can create the best games or create what you think is a very good team, and sometimes it does not happen because there are so many other factors and forces competing. finally, it's about whether each of us – when I say that, I mean every member of the organization – can we try to make the most of what we have. unified thing. "
Donovan would maintain a strong relationship with his players, especially with Russell Westbrook and Paul George, who both commented positively on their coach last week.
"I've never had a problem with coach Donovan," said Westbrook. "We have always been direct with each other and we have always shown good communication for the respect of each other's tasks and for the fact that we are both working hard for what we wish for better. for this team. "
George said, "I think the best thing about Billy is that he takes our advice in hand and that it's always an open dialogue.It's open with his coaching and his adjustments." Is an excellent communication with Billy. "
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