Coach Billy Donovan meets the Oklahoma Standard

Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY SportsWhat is the Oklahoma Standard, and why is new Thunder coach Billy Donovan ready to embrace it?

It was just after 9 pm and I was driving south on Interstate 35 through the south side of Oklahoma City. I remember looking down at the speedometer and realizing two things. I was ripping along at almost 100 mph on the highway, and I wasn't passing any other cars. I was also feeling nauseous from the overwhelming odor of methane gas that was getting stronger with every mile I drove.

I was terrified. Not because I was traveling at such a deadly speed, or that if I got pulled over I would probably go to jail. I was terrified because it was May 3rd, 1999, and I knew my…