[jwplayer enNwCkTN]
Name: Kenny Atkinson
Age: 55
Experience: Four years as head coach with Oklahoma City, 2 years at Marshall University, 19 years at University of Florida
Coaching record: 243-157 in regular season, 18-23 in postseason
Overview
If the Pelicans are looking for a blend of a coach with a track record of developing youth and a track record of success, Billy Donovan fits the calling. In five seasons in Oklahoma City, he’s shown an ability to bring along prospects – Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Hamidou Diallo, Luguentz Dort – while also making the playoffs in all five seasons with the Thunder.
There are catches, though. Donovan has made it past the opening round of the playoffs once. And while he made have a resume full of developed young players, he didn’t exactly sign up to stay in Oklahoma City as they look set for a rebuild. New Orleans is exiting a rebuild but isn’t a true contender yet. Is that something he’s open to?
How the Pelicans weigh those two factors will determine whether the franchise seriously considers him for the role.
Coaching style
Nailing down Donovan’s offensive gameplan is difficult because it changed based on the players he had. That’s certainly a good sign for a new team looking to hire Donovan this summer. In fact, in five years, Donovan went from coaching Russell Westbrook and Kevin Durant to just Westbrook to Westbrook and Paul George to Chris Paul, Dennis Schroder and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. In each of those seasons, Oklahoma City finished with a winning record and a playoff berth.
One consistent calling card for his teams was their strong defenses. Here’s a look at where the defensive ratings of each of his teams ranked in the NBA from season to season.
2015-16: 11th
2016-17: 10th
2017-18: 9th
2018-19: 4th
2019-20: 7th
For a Pelicans team that struggled mightily on the defensive end last season, having a defensive-minded coach come in would be a welcome sight.
How he’d fit with Lonzo Ball
Donovan has largely shaped his offenses around his point guard, though that comes with the caveat that he has coached two of the best point guards in the league during his five years in the league.
Building around Ball likely wouldn’t be the choice in New Orleans as he’s well down the totem pole for the Pelicans offensively. But he had a ton of success in point guards, including a young one in Gilgeous-Alexander.
But building a strong defense that Ball can help anchor on the perimeter? That is a very enticing prospect.
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