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Durant 'can't wait' to be coached by Donovan

Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports

Kevin Durant was on board 100 percent with the Oklahoma City Thunder's decision to fire Scott Brooks, and he's equally on board with the hiring of Billy Donovan.

"I felt like it was the next step for us," Durant told Darnell Mayberry of The Oklahoman. "It was an exciting feeling for everybody that was there at the gym today to learn that we got Billy as our coach."

Durant said he has only met Donovan once, but he did admit he reached out to the coach's former players at the University of Florida to get a feel for his style. "I reached out to Chandler Parsons and Mike Miller," Durant said. "And they just told me great things. Mike told me that he's real detailed and prepared."

Durant dismissed questions about Donovan's lack of NBA experience, saying it is essentially the same game. "The only thing that will be different, to be honest, is just the schedule and the amount of practice time you may have and the travel," Durant said. "But other than that, I think he'll adapt pretty quickly. ... His attention to detail is one of the best and everybody's been telling me he's an NBA coach coaching in college."

The Donovan hire is a huge one for the Thunder, with Durant staring at unrestricted free agency next summer. For the moment however, Durant is strictly looking at next season.

"I'm very excited to learn from him and get better from him and try my best to do whatever he tells me to do," he said.

"I can't wait to get started."

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