Oklahoma City Thunder missed the playoffs for the first time in 5 seasons under head coach Scott Brooks. He has overseen the development of Russell Westbrook, Kevin Durant, James Harden, Serge Ibaka, Reggie Jackson and others in that time but now it appears that his tenure with the team is over.
After a 338-207 record in 7 years as head coach, Brooks has been let go by the Oklahoma City Thunder in a meeting with team GM Sam Presti.
Following from Yahoo! Sports Adrian Wojnarowski.
Oklahoma City has fired coach Scott Brooks, league source tells Yahoo Sports.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojYahooNBA) April 22, 2015
Thunder GM Sam Presti traveled to meet Scott Brooks in California today and delivered the news, league sources tell Yahoo Sports.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojYahooNBA) April 22, 2015
Brooks will immediately become a top candidate for the openings in Orlando and Denver, league sources tell Yahoo Sports.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojYahooNBA) April 22, 2015
Presti's decision wasn't a reflection of the job Brooks did this season, but ultimately a long-view for the franchise, sources tell Yahoo.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojYahooNBA) April 22, 2015
Following from ESPN’s Marc Stein.
Billy Donovan ranks as natural favorite in OKC to replace deposed Scotty Brooks, who becomes instant candidate in Denver and Orlando
— Marc Stein (@ESPNSteinLine) April 22, 2015
Brooks has coached all but 13 games in the history of Oklahoma City Thunder basketball. He’s been all that Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook and Serge Ibaka have known for their entire careers. They’ve been on record voicing their support of Brooks, of course Durant famously did so during All-Star weekend while calling out the media at the same time.
Brooks has been under immense scrutiny from the media, saying his coaching style isn’t exactly the greatest due to the lack of actual plays drawn up for the Thunder stars. It’s been a lot of iso-ball for Durant and Westbrook but now those days are over. It’s time for the Thunder to look in another direction for a new coach.
