Most bugs have a longer life expectancy than that of an NBA head coach, and this morning, Scott Brooks of the Oklahoma City Thunder was the latest one to be squashed.
As first reported by Yahoo! Sports’ Adrian Wojnarowski, the Thunder fired Brooks after missing the playoffs for the first time since 2008-09, the team’s first season in Oklahoma City.
The Thunder went 45-37 this season, losing out on the final playoff spot in the Western Conference on a tiebreaker with the New Orleans Pelicans. Kevin Durant sat out 55 games, Russell Westbrook missed 15 and Serge Ibaka also missed 18. Essentially, the Thunder missed out on the playoffs because of injury problems and a double-clutch Anthony Davis three-pointer at the buzzer:
According to the Thunder’s press release from general manager Sam Presti, the reason for firing Brooks was grounded in a more long-term view, not because of the results of this most recent injury-riddled season:
Statement from Sam Presti pic.twitter.com/SMFYFWkLfh
— Anthony Slater (@anthonyVslater) April 22, 2015
If by “long-term” they mean “in the one year remaining before Durant’s free agency,” then sure. But there is more pressure on the Thunder to nail their next hire than any other team in the NBA. With the league’s second-best player (hopefully) coming back healthy next season, OKC has one season to make KD feel confident about his future there.
Durant has said he wants to stick with the Thunder, but does Brooks’ firing change that feeling at all? In Durant’s famous MVP speech, he revealed a profound respect and appreciation for the job his head coach had done in Oklahoma City. OKC’s next hire will need to be an A-lister who can help this team win a title while also commanding Durant’s (and Westbrook’s) respect.
Does such a name exist? In light of Brooks’ departure, it’s time to take a look at the top five candidates for the NBA’s most high-pressure coaching job next season.
Honorable Mention: Fred Hoiberg, Ettore Messina
Next: No. 5