Talk to those who know Billy Donovan well and a word keeps arising -- selfless. He’s about the team, not himself.
Nevertheless, the veteran coach is experiencing an acclimation process -- during a pandemic, no less -- that features him getting to know a new organization, new city, new management team and new players.
Donovan spent 19 seasons at Florida before jumping to the NBA and a five-season run with Oklahoma City. So he’s used to stability.
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By nature, though, a coach’s life can be transient. So Donovan seems unfazed by it all, saying he kept in daily contact with Artūras Karnišovas and Marc Eversley following his hire and before he moved to Chicago.
“Obviously, a lot of time was spent trying to build out a (coaching) staff and work on that,” Donovan said. “I did get a chance to come in while (the Bulls) were in their (September) bubble for a little bit. Obviously, I couldn’t really do anything because of the protocols. But the transition has been great. The people here in the organization have been terrific. I’ve really enjoyed it.
“Obviously, Chicago is a great city. The guys have been terrific to work with. For me, it’s been really, really positive so far.”
Donovan also hired his son -- “I know my wife’s happy about that,” he cracked -- as assistant video coordinator. Billy Donovan III held the same role for Monty Williams with the Phoenix Suns, has worked for the Austin Spurs of the G League and served as head coach for a Florida high school.
NBA
“I really wanted him in coaching to -- and he’s always wanted to do it -- just kind of work his way through,” Donovan said of his son. “He started off as an assistant JV coach, head JV coach, assistant varsity coach. He did that. Then he became a head high school coach and then he went to the G League and was an assistant coach and did video there. Then Monty Williams was kind enough to hire him there in Phoenix. I got the opportunity to coach him while he was in college, and getting the opportunity to work with him has been great.”
Upon his hire, Donovan cited one of the most appealing aspects to this job was Karnišovas pitching a partnership. On Sunday, Garrett Temple revealed that Donovan called to help recruit him in free agency.
So now that Donovan has experienced both a draft and free agency process with his new bosses, is the partnership what he envisioned?
“It’s been really, really good. Those guys really, really kept me informed, wanted my opinion on different things,” Donovan said. “Obviously, I needed to take quite a bit of time to learn our team, try to watch some film. With Patrick’s situation, both Artūras and Marc really had me heavily involved. I say heavily involved -- but, like, sending me film, wanting my opinion on different clips. We sat down and talked a lot about the draft. I appreciated them including me in the process.”