After completing seven seasons and amassing an impressive 338-207 record, Scott Brooks is done in Oklahoma City. The head coach who groomed the Thunder's young core of Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook, and Serge Ibaka was given his marching orders today, per Yahoo! Sports:
Oklahoma City has fired coach Scott Brooks, league source tells 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, 2015After going 45-37 (in the West!) despite losing Durant and Ibaka for large swaths of the season, Brooks' squad missed the playoffs for the first time since Westbrook's rookie season.
Percentage of gms where Durant, Westbrook & Ibaka shared the court together: 10-11: 95% 11-12: 100% 12-13: 96% 13-14: 56% 14-15: 33%
— Chris Herring (@HerringWSJ) April 22, 2015The Thunder released a statement shortly after the Yahoo! Sports #WojBomb, citing the typical "we need to progess yada yada yada" reasons for the firing. It's clear to everyone now that the Thunder need a competent coach to take them over-the-top. Admitting this was good, OKC.
Thunder’s statement on Brooks firing. pic.twitter.com/WgTR76rHtU
— Zach Harper (@talkhoops) April 22, 2015Will UConn men's basketball coach Kevin Ollie become the new coach who steps up to lead the Thunder to that just-out-of-reach championship? It won't be an easy task.
OKC job pros: KD/Russ/Ibaka, playing for titles immediately. OKC job cons: all of them could be gone in 2 years, have to win immediately.
— Taco Trey Kerby (@treykerby) April 22, 2015But Durant's already called Ollie a "game-changer"—these former teammates could be linking up again soon.
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[via @WojYahooNBA on Twitter]
