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Billy Donovan has come out swinging like a champ in pursuit of capping off the final chapter of his career with an NBA crown to go with those accomplishments in the NCAA .

He has hit the ground running. Donovan appears to be putting the pieces in place while doing valuable PR work with Durant, Westbrook & Ibaka.

https://sp.yimg.com/ib/th?id=JN.aUe6GoukTMlC85DUY7YyhQ&pid=15.1&P=0

Monty Williams? This guy could be a great hire.

Thunder coach Billy Donovan targeting Monty Williams, top assistants for staff


After locking in three members of his new coaching staff, Oklahoma City Thunder coach Billy Donovan is pursuing an ambitious list of ex-NBA head coaches and assistant coaches for the two most prominent roles on his bench, league sources told Yahoo Sports

http://sports.yahoo.com/news/sources--thunder-coach-billy-donovan-targeting-monty-williams--top-assistants-214127454-nba.html;_ylt=AwrBT7S_ClpV38AAYFJXNyoA;_ylu=X3oDMT EzN2Y5OXA2BGNvbG8DYmYxBHBvcwMxBHZ0aWQDVklQNTgyXzEE c2VjA3Ny

How Billy Donovan Can Maximize Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook Next Season



With Kevin Durant's free-agency foray looming in the summer of 2016, he may as well have a one-year window. Win a title—or at least get very close to doing so—and he could help the Thunder remain together for years. Flop massively and risk sending OKC into an uncertain rebuilding era.

How Billy Donovan Can Maximize Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook Next Season | Bleacher Report (http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2453193-how-billy-donovan-can-maximize-kevin-durant-and-russell-westbrook-next-season)

Report: Maurice Cheeks a possible Thunder assistant coach candidate



Westbrook's pacifier?

https://sp.yimg.com/ib/th?id=JN.cN9yVqf1957536rFT0nK%2fQ&pid=15.1&P=0


A former Oklahoma City Thunder assistant could be in the mix to return to the Thunder bench under Billy Donovan.

Report: Maurice Cheeks a possible Thunder assistant coach candidate | News OK (http://newsok.com/report-maurice-cheeks-a-possible-thunder-assistant-coach-candidate/article/5420214)

To help ease his transition from college to the pros, Donovan is following a similar blueprint. Mark Bryant and Darko Rajakovic, who served under ex-Thunder coach Scott Brooks, are expected to be retained. Former Alabama head coach Anthony Grant, who worked under Donovan at both Marshall and Florida, will also join his former mentor in Oklahoma City, per Anthony Slater of The Oklahoman.

Williams' biggest strength during his run in the Big Easy was player development. He helped Anthony Davis emerge from a raw 19-year-old rookie to an MVP candidate and one of the NBA's best players in just three seasons. He also had a hand in turning afterthoughts like Alexis Ajinca and Norris Cole into serviceable role players.

"About three hours before every game, long before most other players have arrived at the arena, Westbrook goes through a meticulous individual workout on the court. He’s been doing it for years. Cheeks used to run the workout, showing up early and navigating Westbrook through the different drills and shooting routines. It helped them form a bond.
”

Small forward Kyle Singler, who is a restricted free agent and may not even be on the roster next season, told ESPN.com's Michael Rothstein that the Thunder had every player meet with Donovan personally. The Duke product said he walked away from his brief meeting impressed with OKC's new sultan of the sidelines.

Billy Donovan Setting Table for Epic First Season with OKC Thunder | Bleacher Report (http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2499807-billy-donovan-setting-table-for-epic-success-in-first-season-with-okc-thunder)