RealGM

So for a couple of seasons before mutual parting of the ways, many fans here wanted to get rid of Donovan.

His first season coaching the Bulls, he's got them at #10 in the EC, probably exceeding expectations. Obviously the second half of the season could turn out different but they stand a good chance of making the playoffs or at least the play-in game.

Of course the Thunder exceeded expectations last season in the Bubble too.

Lavine has taken a big jump this season. His trajectory was on the rise the last couple of seasons but a bigger jump in efficiency. Does Donovan get credit, are they running a different offense?

Even if you disregard Donovan having a role in Lavine's success, he seems to be getting good performances out of two younger players as well, Coby White and rookie Patrick Williams.

Maybe the Bulls fall apart in the second half or they don't sustain any improvement next season either.

Or maybe Donovan has more of a clue than some Thunder fans gave him credit for?

wco81 wrote:So for a couple of seasons before mutual parting of the ways, many fans here wanted to get rid of Donovan.

His first season coaching the Bulls, he's got them at #10 in the EC, probably exceeding expectations. Obviously the second half of the season could turn out different but they stand a good chance of making the playoffs or at least the play-in game.

Of course the Thunder exceeded expectations last season in the Bubble too.

Lavine has taken a big jump this season. His trajectory was on the rise the last couple of seasons but a bigger jump in efficiency. Does Donovan get credit, are they running a different offense?

Even if you disregard Donovan having a role in Lavine's success, he seems to be getting good performances out of two younger players as well, Coby White and rookie Patrick Williams.

Maybe the Bulls fall apart in the second half or they don't sustain any improvement next season either.

Or maybe Donovan has more of a clue than some Thunder fans gave him credit for?

Or maybe its too early to declare the tenth seed in the east as anything other than a probable upgrade over the worst coach in the league, Boylen? Really not sure what your point is with this thread other than possibly get under people's skin. Most thunder fans are very happy with what Daignault has been able to get from the current roster.

Donovan lead Bulls are 15-17... playing 4th easiest schedule to date by Sagarin ratings. 2-7 against top 10 (25th best), 4-12 against 16 playoff seeded teams (26th best). Bulls where they are by going 11-5 against lottery teams. That is a mix of not impressive and somewhat impressive.

Thunder slightly worse against top 10 and slightly better against top 16. Modestly worse against lottery teams. Much of the difference in overall records is related to schedule. Thunder's being rated 3rd toughest to date.

Best Bulls wins in February were against Knicks, Pelicans and Pacers.

I'd say he's kind of a mixed bag, for me and for most OKC fans.

On the positive side, he's affable, decent X's & O's guy, solid rep with players, and avoided roster blow ups in his years here. He did make it to the playoffs, and used talent pretty well (overall).

On the negative side, he never made it out of 1st round with Russ/Oladipo, Russ/Melo/PG & CP3/Gallo/Shai. Lots of star power and few series wins. Playoff losses were seemingly because he was out-coached in strategy, especially how the team directed PnR defense.

Inaccuracies on these statements are
1 - major star leaving team after WCF appearance (KD)
2 - injuries to certain players throwing defense off when team was balling (Roberson, PG the next year

6/10 overall for me, slightly better than Brooks who was pretty stuck to playing Perkins and wore on me with that decision alone.