Billy Donovan explains how he built relationships with Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook after taking the Oklahoma City Thunder job.

The start of the 2015–16 NBA season also marks the start of a new project at SI.com. Check out the debut episode of the Open Floor podcast, a new NBA show hosted by SI senior writer Chris Mannix.

In the first episode, Mannix chats with Oklahoma City Thunder head coach Billy Donovan on his relationships with Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook, his decision to leave Florida and what his transition has been like to the NBA. Donovan also addresses the "sense of guilt" he felt leaving the Orlando Magic in 2007, the biggest differences between the college and pro game and what it's like dealing with the pressure to win a title in his first NBA season.

Open Floor: James Harden’s next step, Aldridge Q&A, my rankings and more

Later in the program, K.C. Johnson of the Chicago Tribune joins Mannix to discuss the many storylines of Derrick Rose, how Fred Hoiberg is assimilating to Chicago and where the Bulls rank as contenders.

Listen to the podcast below and don't forget to subscribe to our podcast on iTunes.

Podcast guests: Thunder's Billy Donovan, Chicago Tribune's K.C. Johnson

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