Billy Donovan’s inexperience in the NBA is something that many people labeled as a criticism when he was named the new Oklahoma City Thunder head coach. It appears that since Donovan departed the college ranks as the head coach of the Florida Gators and leaped into the NBA as OKC’s new head coach, he’s been trying to bring in some coaches with NBA head coaching experience.
Donovan has added former New Orleans Pelicans coach Monty Williams to his staff and now he looks to add another former head coach and former Thunder assistant to his staff.
Following from ESPN’s Marc Stein.
Hearing Maurice Cheeks has emerged as increasingly serious target for OKC as Thunder seek to put another former HC on Billy Donovan's staff
— Marc Stein (@ESPNSteinLine) June 9, 2015
Maurice Cheeks addendum: Cheeks' good relationship with Russ Westbrook after his first OKC stint would make him handy aide to Billy Donovan
— Marc Stein (@ESPNSteinLine) June 9, 2015
Cheeks’ teams typically have not had a specific style throughout the years. His teams have been really good on one side of the court and other teams have been good on the other side of the court so there’s no real assigned role for Cheeks. What he does bring is coaching experience in the NBA along with a prior relationship with Russell Westbrook, as Stein pointed out.
Cheeks was last with the Thunder in 2013 before taking the head coaching position with the Detroit Pistons, which didn’t last the whole season. He was forced out and now he might be an option to rejoin the Thunder staff.
Donovan is trying to build a ‘whos-who’ staff around him and he’s doing a good at it so far. Hopefully for the fans in Oklahoma City, that also results in wins.
