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Los Angeles Lakers: Scott Brooks The Perfect Man For The Job

By Carter Johnson

Mar 29, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder head coach Scott Brooks reacts in the first half against the Phoenix Suns at US Airways Center. The Thunder defeated the Suns 109-97. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 29, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder head coach Scott Brooks reacts in the first half against the Phoenix Suns at US Airways Center. The Thunder defeated the Suns 109-97. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /
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Should the Los Angeles Lakers decide to move on from head coach Byron Scott this summer, former Thunder coach Scott Brooks would be the perfect man for the job.

Now that Kobe Bryant‘s retirement has become official, the Los Angeles Lakers are looking towards the future led by the young trio of two talented guards and a gifted forward.

The team has struggled tremendously over the last two seasons, posting the worst single-season records in franchise history in consecutive years. However, the trio — along with several role players — present a promising future for the franchise. All they need is some solid direction.

If this sounds familiar, it’s because the Lakers’ current situation is eerily similar to that of the Oklahoma City Thunder in the late 2000s, having struck gold on three consecutive lottery picks in Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook and James Harden.

The team went 20-62 in their final season as the Seattle SuperSonics after picking Durant second overall in the 2007 NBA Draft and improved to 23-59 in what would be both Westbrook’s rookie season and their inaugural season as the Oklahoma City Thunder in 2008-09. Upon Harden’s arrival in 2009, the team made the leap to contention, improving to 50-32 and making their first playoff appearance.

The 2009-10 season can also be attributed to another significant factor: it was Scott Brooks’ first full season as the head coach of the Thunder.

Brooks took a talented young core and molded them into what arguably became the deadliest trio in the league at the time, one that leaves fans wondering what could’ve been had the three stayed together to this day. Outside of that, he also made defense a point of emphasis for a relatively inexperienced roster, which helped make the Thunder one of the league’s elite defensive teams for years to come.

The result was five playoff appearances in six seasons and a Coach of the Year Award in 2010 during Brooks’ tenure in Oklahoma City.

Brooks was essential in turning such a young, talented squad into the perennial title contender it is today. This summer, he could be asked to do it again.

May 21, 2014; San Antonio, TX, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder head coach Scott Brooks watches from the sideline against the San Antonio Spurs in game two of the Western Conference Finals of the 2014 NBA Playoffs at AT&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports
May 21, 2014; San Antonio, TX, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder head coach Scott Brooks watches from the sideline against the San Antonio Spurs in game two of the Western Conference Finals of the 2014 NBA Playoffs at AT&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports /

Reports have surfaced that Brooks would be interested in the Lakers’ head coaching gig should the team decide to part ways with current head coach Byron Scott this summer. While there are no indications currently that Scott will lose his job, Brooks’ fit with the current roster is an intriguing one to think about.

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Based off of his tremendous success in OKC, Brooks could be considered to be the prime candidate to lead this young Lakers team that is struggling to find its identity in life after the Black Mamba.

While the amount of superstar potential that D’Angelo Russell, Jordan Clarkson and/or Julius Randle possess remains to be seen, the Lakers resemble the Thunder in that they have promising pieces that just need the right kind of leadership, patience and direction — traits that many believe Byron Scott does not possess.

With a coach that possesses experience both mentoring young players and developing a contender like Brooks, the Lakers could bring out the flashes of potential the members of the triumvirate displayed individually and collectively and build a cohesiveness between them. Brooks also preaches defense, which — go figure — is their biggest issue.

In addition to helping cultivate the talent on the current roster, Brooks would also provide the Lakers an attractive free agent lure, as his two former star players in Durant and Westbrook will be available in consecutive summers and would undoubtedly look the team’s way with their beloved ex-coach at the helm.

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In every aspect, Brooks would be a definite upgrade at the head coaching spot — and a great choice for both the current roster and the future of the Lakers.

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