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Oklahoma City Thunder: Top 5 Candidates To Replace Scott Brooks

By Gerald Bourguet

March 1, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder head coach Scott Brooks watches game action against the Los Angeles Lakers during the first half at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
March 1, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder head coach Scott Brooks watches game action against the Los Angeles Lakers during the first half at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /
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Apr 1, 2015; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Chicago Bulls head coach Tom Thibodeau reacts to a call during the third quarter against the Milwaukee Bucks at BMO Harris Bradley Center. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports /

5. Tom Thibodeau

Thibs might be higher on this list if he weren’t, you know, currently coaching a different playoff team. But according to K.C. Johnson of the Chicago Tribune, the relationship between the front office and Thibodeau may be beyond repair, and many league sources wouldn’t be surprised to see a mutual parting of the ways after this season.

This is contingent upon how far the Chicago Bulls go in the playoffs this season, of course. Chicago already locked up the third seed in the East, they have a 2-0 series lead over the Milwaukee Bucks and with Derrick Rose at his best, look like a potential dark horse to come out of the East.

But if the Bulls fall short in the second round and both parties agree it’s time to part ways, Thibs will be one of the most hotly sought-after commodities in the league. If anyone can get Enes Kanter to play defense, it’s Thibodeau. He’s the kind of coach that Durant and Westbrook would respect for his ultra-competitive nature, and though he’s not known for his offense, it’s fair to think he’d probably do better from an X’s and O’s standpoint than Brooks did.

However, with Thibs, there’s always the issue of over-usage. As Jimmy Butler will be able to tell you when he’s forced to retire at age 29, Thibodeau rides his starters like there’s no tomorrow. That could be an issue for a team whose Big Three has had its fair share of injury problems over the last few seasons. Until Thibs is officially done in Chicago, this is as high as he climbs.

Next: No. 4

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