There were high expectations from Billy Donovan when he took over from former coach Scott Brook in the offseason. But seeing a team that has been performing credibly until last season, the stakes were obviously made higher and the Oklahoma City Thunder management wants something better than a plain National Basketball Association (NBA) Finals appearance.
To date, the Thunder are in an unsurprising position with a 15–8 card. The current position they are in hardly shows any difference. So if that is the case, what does Donovan really bring to the table?
Donovan's difference is expected to take shape once the post season comes around. With Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook healthy, no less than an improvement of the Thunder's 2011–12 appearance which they lost (4–1) to the Miami Heat.
The former Gators coach has been trying to get himself accustomed to the Thunder's lineup, experimenting on player combinations as of late until he find the proper mix that he will regularly use.
Some have shown promise, while others have not but with plenty of games to go, Donovan is expected to eventually turn to a regular starting unit that will likely carry the team in the coming NBA playoffs.
The road ahead in the Western Conference, of course, will not be that easy. Aside from the spotless Golden State Warriors, the Thunder will have to get through the San Antonio Spurs or maybe even the Los Angeles Clippers at some point in the future.
With that said, the road to improve on having just an NBA finals appearance seems to be a tall order but then again, that was all part of what was expected when the Thunder got him in the first place.
Will Donovan rise to the challenge and give the franchise something better? For now, it is all about planting the seeds to success. On whether that blossoms in 2016 remains to be seen.
