Billy Donovan to NBA: What They Are Writing
Friday, May 1, 2015 | Men's Basketball, Cross Country, Scott Carter
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Former Gators coach Billy Donovan – yes, a little strange to see that description in front of his name – just wrapped up his introductory press conference in Oklahoma City.
Donovan answered questions for nearly 40 minutes with Thunder star Kevin Durant and some of his teammates in attendance.
Donovan said he woke up Thursday morning feeling really good about the situation and that's when he made up his mind to leave Florida after 19 seasons, six SEC titles and two national championships.
Colleague Chris Harry will have a story later today off Donovan's press conference.
For now, here are some columns from around the Internet discussing Donovan's move to the NBA:
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Billy Donovan listened to every pitch a year ago – the Cleveland Cavaliers, the Minnesota Timberwolves, the Detroit Pistons – and forever found a reason to turn jobs down. From rosters to geography to ownership styles, Donovan passed with an understanding that Oklahoma City loomed in the distance.
--More from Adrian Wojnarowksi of Yahoo! Sports
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Donovan doesn't do this unless he knows that his GM is one of the best roster-builders in the executive game, and his willingness to leave the Florida job that included 19 years, two national championships and four Final Four appearances to partner with Sam Presti shows the kind of faith that they can only hope Durant and Westbrook still have by this time next year.
--More from Sam Amick of USA Today
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Sitting at his kitchen table eating pasta on a summer night in 2007, Billy Donovan didn't sound like a man who would ever leave Florida for the NBA. He had tried to bolt. He had signed a contract with the Orlando Magic that June. He had held a press conference. But he just couldn't go.
--More from Andy Staples of SportsIllustrated.com
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By making a bold and somewhat outside-the-box hire with Donovan, Presti chose someone whom he hopes can challenge the Thunder's superstar tandem and shake up an offensive system that had become stilted and stale.
--More from Michael Lee of The Washington Post
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He's theirs now, the only basketball coach that a lot of young Gator fans have known. He's the Thunder's. He's Kevin Durant's. He's the NBA's. He's not ours anymore.
--More from Gainesville Sun columnist Pat Dooley
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Donovan on Thursday agreed to a five-year deal to become the head coach of the Oklahoma City Thunder, league sources told Yahoo Sports. This is a huge loss to a fragile game. It's an understandable move for the man, but a detrimental outcome for the wobbly sport he's leaving behind.
--More from Yahoo! Sports columnist Pat Forde
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Donovan, deep down, has always had a desire to give the NBA a try. Who could blame him? Donovan accomplished more than anyone in Gainesville could have ever hoped. He needs to take on that one last challenge. And UF? He's paid in full.
--More from Florida Today columnist David Jones
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Hiring a coach who's unproven in the NBA might make hearts drop in Thunder Nation. This team has championship-caliber talent. It also has a superstar going into the final year of his contract. Why would the Thunder pick Billy Donovan?
--More from Jenni Carlson of The Oklahoman
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