Ten reasons to make it official
I thought I would wait until the end of the season to do it. I figured it would be best to wait and survey the completed product and then make an informed judgment. But the heck with it — I officially endorse Scott Brooks as the next coach for the Oklahoma City Thunder. Drop the interim tag. I want Brooks. I know the rumor is that he’ll be named the head man anyway, but quit waiting. I’m ready for it.
I know that the team could potentially hit a skid and lose a number of games. And in that case, if OKC loses its last 10 of 11 or something and the season finishes on a sour note, it may seem like I jumped the gun. And if that happens, I may be sneaking back on here late at night to delete this post and then take a stand saying I never said that. But the fact is, I really like Coach Brooks and I really think the guy can coach. He’s clearly made the team better and most importantly, he’s somehow created an excited atmosphere for the team where the chemistry is off the charts. I don’t know how you inspire a nine-win team like this, but he’s done it. But why Brooks? Why not Avery Johnson or Sam Mitchell or Eddie Jordan? Here’s 10 reasons why:
1. The team is playing better under him. Duh. Since Brooks took over, the Thunder’s 8-22, a pretty big step up from 1-12 (P.J. Carlesimo’s record). And one thing you have to keep in mind is that Brooks had to undo what P.J. did. He had to basically start over and work on regaining the team. He started out losing his first 11 out of 12, but since then, he’s 7-10. There’s no question the team’s moving in the right direction. A strong core is there and Brooks is getting them to buy into a system. The group is playing tougher defense, out-rebounding everybody and busting their butts every night. Collectively, these guys are fired up and intense every single night and I think the man to credit for that is Scott Brooks.
2. He’s fresh. He isn’t some recycled coach on his fourth go-around (See: previous Thunder coaching history). He was hungry for a head coaching spot and since he’s got one (kind of) he’s working as hard as he can. In the NFL, they just shuffle guys around with a coordinator getting a job here and there, but guys like Norv Turner getting 25 chances to be a head coach. And most times, it doesn’t really work out. The NBA has a bit of the same problem. What OKC needs is continuity and excitement. Scott Brooks gives you both.
3. He looks like Eric Murphy in a really-doesn’t-look-like-him-but-definitely-reminds-me-of-him-for-some-reason sort of way. I think I’ve said something about that before, but I just can’t get over it. Every time he shows up on camera, I immediately think, “Man, he looks just like E. I wonder if he’s married to a Perfect 10 model?” And why is this a reason to keep Scott Brooks? Well, I like Entourage and I like E. Plus, it’s harder than you think to come up with 10.
4. He’s got some uncanny, “I like that guy” persona.He just seems like he’s trying his darndest and you can’t really fault him for anything. That little nervous tick he does in a tight game where he’s got his arms crossed and he kind of shrugs his shoudlers and sticks out his head? Yeah, that thing. There’s just something about Coach Brooks that makes it seem like all he wants is to win. You can tell he’s insanely competitive, but at the same time, extremely collected. He’s doing everything in his power to not rip off his coat and run screaming onto the floor. His press conferences are enjoyable and he’s actually funny in them. He’s not all up-tight and overly serious. He realizes this is a game that grown men play, and everybody’s here to have fun (and make millions upon millions of dollars). And I guess when your previous coach is P.J. Carlesimo, the next guy by default is more likable. It’s like the difference in Hayden Christensen between Attack of the Clones and Revenge of the Sith. After Clones, anything he could have done for a follow-up couldn’t have been that bad. There was no where to go but up.
5. He’s BY FAR the winningest coach in Thunder history. A little simple math tells me the exact figure is 8 > 1.
6. For some reason, I really love the idea of building a contender with a first time head coach. It’s like we’re all in this thing together and we don’t need some outside guy to come in and try and bail us out. Unless that outside guy is Blake Griffin or Carlos Boozer. Then I’m fine with that.
7. He’s calm, cool and collected.Scott Brooks has 30 games under his belt. And he hasn’t gotten a technical yet. I don’t think he’s really even been close. He ‘s probably saving it for a big moment when he feels like he needs to inspire his team. Or not: “I think there are times it can help the team,” Brooks said. ”But if that’s what’s going to get you fired up, I think your team is in the wrong place. I felt that as a player and I feel it as a coach. You need to be focused every time. That’s what we’re trying to build, winning habits here. And if it takes a coach to get a ‘T’ to get you focused, I think you’re not preparing the way you should prepare. Technicals are overrated.” Regardless, when it happens he’ll either flip out like Earl Weaver on speed or be subtle and pull a Gene Hackman in Hoosiers and just ask to be thrown out of the game. Either way, it’s going to be awesome.
8. He’s the absolute perfect coach for a rookie point guard project.Just take a peek (and by peek, I mean read thoroughly) Russell Westbrook’s progress since Coach Scotty took over: 1) Inserted into the starting lineup. 2) Set a career high of 30, then topped it with 31. 3) Is averaging 15.6 points per game (up from 12.0). 4) Was named Rookie of the Month for December. 5) Has gone from being an, “I don’t know about this guy…” to in the top three in most Rookie of the Year watches. 6) Is averaging 5.7 assists per game (up from 3.1) and 7) Has given new hope to everyone because now we’re thinking about 20 year old Russell Westbrook, 20 year old Kevin Durant and 22 year old Jeff Green together for many years.
9. His awesome side-part spike.Mike Gundy may have the strangle-hold on cool spiked side-parts, but Scotty is giving him a run. The most famous side part spikes in my lifetime: A) Brad Taylor B) Scott Linehan C) Gundy D) Scott Brooks. I can’t think of any more. So he’s in pretty good company there, right? Definitely a good reason to hire him. (Nine down, one more to go… think Royce, think.)
10. Has improved the Thunder in not only the win-loss column, but everywhere.Look at Kevin Durant’s stats since Brooks took over – 25.4 ppg (up 4.3) and 7.3 rpg (up 3.3). Look at Jeff Green’s – 17.5 ppg (up 3.8) and 6.5 rpg (up half a rebound). Look at the improved defense. The improved offense. The improved rebounding. Under Carlesimo, the team was stalling and not going anywhere. It was just a group going through the motions and players were either regressing or staying the same. Nobody was getting better. Under Brooks, everything’s improving. And why take the chance in missing again when clearly the players are responding to Brooks? Make it official. Take the interim tag off. Make Eric Murphy head coach for real.
1. Shows emotion
2. Loyal to his players and them to him
3. Has shown ability (will) to make the tough decision
4. Inspires confidence and hope
5. Not trying to be something he is not
6. Appears to be on the same page as Presti and front office
7. Wears Thunder gear during pre/post game interviews
8. Has a honest look and sound to him
9. His in-game play calling and decision making is good (and improving)
10. Positive,Positive,Positive…
11. Will be less expensive than those other coaches
12. Will maintain continuity within the organization (important for the players i think)
13. Allready is the face of the Thunder (besides Durant,Mason,Green,and Westbrook)…
14. Marketable and likable for our OKC community
15. Has allready developed (or so it appears) a good relationship with the local media
16. Well spoken and articulate
17. Grasp of Xs and Os and will only improve in this regard
18. Good developer of talent… or so far it seems that way
19. Has fun in practice… knows the grind that can be
20. Rescued a cat from a tree just this last week… (ok, I made that up but i’m running out of stuff
Nice AD. You should have wrote this.
Please… I’m a sixth man, not a starter… maybe a 3pt specialist or something…
I’ll add one:
Pedigree! He’s an nba and basketball Journeyman which make the BEST NBA head coaches!
I’ve seen too many Phil Jackson coached teams not to be really familiar with the triangle offense. Two years of Hornets games had me familiar with the Princeton offense. I knew I wouldn’t see either of those with the Thunder under P.J., but I was prepared to learn a new system. Except that it didn’t look like anyone had any idea what system to run on the court, except for pass Durant the ball while he’s out of position to do anything with it other than a one on one move.
I realize Westbrook was new to the game then, but he didn’t start either, Watson did.
Under Scott Brooks though, they look like they have a very clear picture of how to run his system, how to set up plays, where each other will be, what will and won’t work, etc… Chalk a lot of this up to a young team trying to get a feel for itself with new veteran players around them (Joe Smith, Mason) and a rookie. But I can’t help but think that Brooks is really the driving factor behind their focus. They take advantages of match ups, and do a better job of putting Durant in a position where he can succeed when he catches the ball, not after making 42 moves first to free himself up. I think Brooks takes advantage of his player’s strengths, and trusts them to do what they do best. That’s what I want to see, a coach who develops a system around the talent that he has, rather than force a player into a system where they don’t succeed.
I like that Brooks was a point guard in the league himself. Running a team from the bench isn’t that far from the mentality of running a team on the floor. A good field general on the floor knows where everyone is, where they should be, and who to go to, when and how. If you can take that same talent, and as a coach, translate it to a team, it makes for a great situation.
I think Brooks is another blue collar work ethic kind of guy that OKC can really appreciate and stand behind. I’d love to see him rewarded for the good job he’s doing.
Brooks has all the right atmospherics but what do the numbers say for offensive and defensive efficency for just his total time as head coach so far and what will they say at the end of the season? Now that he has proven that there is enough talent to win some games, how many games is really doing well or well enough to keep the job? Isn’t he at about 27% win? If it rises to 35-40% yeah give him a new contract but what it stays at 27% or slips back?
Under Brooks, our Off. eff. is about 106 and def.eff is about 109. During the last 11 games it is Off eff 108, def eff. 106.5.
Under PJ it was 92.5 offensively and 105.7 defensively. A 13% increase in offense. Virtually the same defense over the last 11. You can see why we are winning in the last almost dozen games.
So for last 11 games they are similar to the Mavericks for the season. Or a bit better than the Bucks.
So they are borderline playoff when at their peak right now. Does it last? Most team hit a hot streak so comparing this stretch- if it a peak rather the average to expect for the future- may or may not be accurate projection. Can they end the season at 106 on offense / 106 on defense? If so they be like the Heat, 76ers and Pistons. That is differently improvement and a base for the future. Less that and they are still a bottom 7 team.
106 offense 109 defense makes them similar to the Bulls, Pacers and Wolves. Team on the edge between semi competition for 8th but not that much better than bottom 7. Team that need a tweak or two at least. Or another season or two.