I am a bit surprised because I didn't think he was as bad as the media portrayed him out to be. The players all also like him.
He failed to take a team with Westbrook, Durant, Ibaka, and Harden to a Championship. He simply failed. Still with the injuries they had this season, that's a tough call. Unless they've got an ace in their back pocket (Hello Kevin Ollie), then I'm not sure this makes sense. Who is available to coach out there right now that'll do better? Maybe they call Mark Jackson?
Didn't surprise me but he was given a bad hand this season. Durant, Westbrook and Ibaka injured. A lineup change mid season. I would have given Brooks another healthy season to see what he can do. I can see OKC going after Kevin Ollie to hopefully keep Durant.
Ollie has said he isn't interested. OKC would have to pay for his buyout from college AND give him a really lucrative offer. A penny pincher like their owner? I don't see it.
just a little surprised. thought they'd give it another chance with him at the helm next season with durant healthy think they'll be giving mark jackson a call
only weird thing is the timing, imo. i think he's another avery johnson, but firing him after the injury-riddled season seems odd. then again, injuries killed them last year, too, and i think, eventually, brooks was going to get canned. too bad they couldn't nab phil jackson as a coach.
Durant, the former MVP, misses 55 games. Westbrook, a current MVP candidate, misses 15 games. Ibaka, their 3rd best player and defensive anchor, misses 18 games. Team goes through a drastic lineup change midseason. West is stupidly tough. OKC still wins 45 games. Players all respect and love Scott Brooks. It's going to be tough. The players cannot be happy, and OKC better hope to get a great coach next.
Maybe they're going to hire Mike Brown. The dude seems to always land on his feet. Was give Lebron. Was given Dwight, Kobe and Gasol. Seems like Westbrook and Durant fit his penchant for coaching insane talent to mediocrity.
Their going to get Ollie, IMO. Their goes getting rid of Byron in 2 years and replacing with Ollie. Sigh.
I could see them going after Thibs if rumors are true his days in Chicago are numbered depending on how they do in the playoffs. Possibly work out a trade ala Clippers/C Bags. Otherwise I don't really see another coach who could have a significant impact with that team especially when it comes to trying to keep Durant there.
Rough call in an injury riddled season. I am not a fan of Brooks but I don't think he deserves this at this time. Nor do I think they can just plug in some other random HC and get more out of the squad. The FO has made some questionable decisions over there beginning with the overpaying for Porkins and then stupidly not amnestying him when they had the chance and saw that he wasn't going to be a big part of what they were doing. Penny pinching over Harden was pretty much the death knell for these guys winning a chip, IMO. I can't stand the beard, but he was huge for them and going forward if Durant is plagued with foot issues, Harden was the guy who could have picked up the scoring slack. I think that ownership/FO is blowing the tremendous opportunity they had with a home grown team that was young and could contend for years given more time together. Letting go of Harden is going to sink them. Making Brooks the fall guy is dumb, too, I think. He should have had one more season to see if he could get these guys over the hump. Before this season I would have been over the top thrilled with the front office mistakes because they may lead to Durant bailing. But now I'm wary of Durant with possible chronic foot problems. I don't want any more players with lingering health issues.
I don't consider Brooks to be a great coach, but he's not horrible. Considering the injuries and he got them within 1 game of the playoffs in the West, I think he got a raw deal. Take away an MVP and Ibaka and what did anyone expect of that team? I hear Donovan's name and Ollies. Not sure KD and Westbrook will respect Ollie. He was a teammate of theirs and didn't start. Doubt they view him as an equal, let alone someone they're going to give full confidence to.
Brooks is a horrible head coach from an X's and O's standpoint. When we get a more talented team, this what will happen to Byron. They made the right decision...
Brooks was horrible ... couldn't put an offensive system in place and was terrible in his choices of lineups/substitutions especially in the playoffs ...
Even with injuries, they had to make a change and coaches are always the easiest cog to change out. Not deserving at this moment, but I'm not surprised he isn't their coach going into next season. First domino of the dismantling of the Thunder.
That's a weird picture. No teeth. It reminds me of this: http://www.buzzfeed.com/elliewoodward/photos-of-celebrities-without-teeth
