In the nonstop, incessant discussion of Kevin Durant bailing on the Oklahoma City Thunder to gravy-train a championship with the Golden State Warriors, can we please stop this nonsensical side topic about how now, suddenly, Billy Donovan made a mistake by leaving the Florida Gators?
Puh-leeze.
Could Donovan have stayed at Florida for life and gone down as one of the greatest college basketball coaches of all-time? Yes.
But, guess what, he can still go down as one of the greatest college basketball coaches of all-time.
Donovan is a smart man. He knew the deal when he took the Thunder job. He realized there was a chance Durant could leave after one season and the Thunder would go from championship contender to just another mediocre NBA franchise.
Don't feel sorry for Donovan. First of all, he is making $6 million a year to coach the Thunder -- nearly twice what he was making with the Gators. And, secondly, even if he is someday fired, he will parachute back into college basketball with a better job (see North Carolina, Louisville, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky or whatever other big-time job is open at the time) than the one he left at Florida.
I'm still not convinced Donovan will fail, but even if he does he'll follow the same career path as Rick Pitino, John Calipari, Lon Kruger and other elite coaches who made the jump to the NBA and then back to college.
Don't feel bad for Donovan; feel bad for the fans of Oklahoma City.
With Durant announcing that he will sign with the Warriors, Orlando feels your pain, Oklahoma City.
And, sadly, you are about to feel ours.
The Thunder are getting ready to circle the drain and become the post-Dwight Howard Orlando Magic. In a matter of hours, they went from one of the premier franchises in the league to a teetering team staring a massive rebuild in the face.
I hate to say it, but the Thunder have just been sentenced to at least five years of NBA irrelevance.
Actually, OKC is in better shape than the Magic were when Howard left because they still have a superstar remaining on the team in point guard Russell Westbrook. However, a word of advice for Thunder management: Trade Westbrook now while you can still get something for him.
This is the unfortunate and unfair business of the NBA. A franchise drafts a player and develops him into a superstar; and a fan base pours its heart and soul and disposable income into that player -- and, just like that, the player is gone.
At least Magic fans had a chance to prepare for Dwight's departure and Magic management was able to trade him and at least get something in return. Durant leaving Oklahoma City is more like when LeBron James left Cleveland. The decision sent shock waves and sadness throughout the city.
I still remember when Howard departed Orlando and one of my buddies from Ohio tweeted: "Dear Orlando, We Understand. Sincerely, Cleveland."
Except James came back to Cleveland because that's his hometown. Durant will never come back to Oklahoma City.
It just goes to show that if you are lucky enough to acquire one of the elite players in the league, you better win a championship. Cleveland couldn't do it with James -- and he left. Orlando couldn't do it with Howard -- and he left. Oklahoma City couldn't do with Durant -- and now he's gone, too.
How fitting that Golden State executive Jerry West was one of the key figures in persuading Durant to leave OKC for Golden State. Two decades ago, West was the general manager of the Lakers who convinced Shaq to leave Orlando for L.A.
The Magic have never really been the same since then.
And neither will Oklahoma City.
With apologies to Rodgers and Hammerstein:
"OOOOk-lahoma, where the wind comes sweepin' down the plain,
"And the wavin' wheat used to smell so sweet until KD left 'em crying in the rain."
Sports on 07/07/2016