Donovan, Coach of the Year

Billy Donovan was voted co-coach of the year by the National Basketball Coaches Association.

Oklahoma City Thunder Head Coach Billy Donovan and Milwaukee Bucks coach Mike Budenholzer were named co-coaches of the year by the National Basketball Coaches Association. 

The Thunder were expected to win 31.5 games this season and Donovan has guided them to a 41-24 record with a chance to finish second in the Western Conference.  Since Thanksgiving, Oklahoma City has gone 35-13 good enough for the league's second-best record in that time span. 

Billy Donovan Named Co-Recipient of 2020 Michael H. Goldberg NBCA Coach of the Year.

🔗 https://t.co/OY3W9QLLtI pic.twitter.com/nVlu1EqvED

— OKC THUNDER (@okcthunder) August 3, 2020

The Thunder are also 25-5 in clutch time since November 25th. Normally Sam Presti won't campaign for awards but during a recent conference call, the Oklahoma City General Manager  said:

"I really think he needs to be heavily considered for coach of the year."..."He's just tried to control the things he can control."

"I think Billy's done a great job relative to letting the guys play, giving them space and freedom."..."I think he's done a good job being creative with the ball-handlers we have and how to put those guys together."

Presti also gives Donovan credit for seeing a player like Steven Adams in a different light. Adams is proving to be one of the league's best passers and can make plays when given the chance. 

@Bucks Head Coach Mike Budenholzer and @OKCThunder Head Coach Billy Donovan have been named the 2020 co-recipients of the Michael H. Goldberg NBCA Coach of the Year Award.

Official Release: https://t.co/LnviOdQwEz pic.twitter.com/IfMcrvmriN

— NBA Coaches Assoc. (@NBA_Coaches) August 3, 2020

Donovan is also the tone-setter for the Thunder's selfish attitude while his peers are honoring for the job he's done, the coach credits his veterans for making the younger players feel a part of the organization. 

 "Those veteran guys have really really invested in the younger guys."..."There's a really positive belief for one another inside the group."

From the Thunder's Press Release:

"During his tenure, the Thunder has made five consecutive playoff appearances, making him one of four active head coaches to guide their teams to the playoffs in each of their first five seasons as a head coach."