Washington Wizards: How Scott Brooks brings a winning culture to Washington

Scott Brooks is a proven winner and as the head coach of the Washington Wizards, he will bring the franchise success for years to come.

The Washington Wizards brought Scott Brooks aboard as their head coach in February of 2016. His contract is worth $35 million over the next five years. At the completion of year one with the Wizards, the future is bright and full of optimism, from the fans to the players.

Scott Brooks is a former NBA player himself, and was a part of the Houston Rockets team that reached and won the NBA Finals in 1994. As a coach, Brooks is no stranger to success either. He is a tried and true winner no matter which way you look at it.

The beginning of a winning culture

Scott Brooks began his coaching career as an assistant while he was still playing for the Los Angeles Stars, who were part of the ABA.

Fast forward to 2003, Brooks served as an assistant to the Denver Nuggets for three years. He then moved on to both the Sacramento Kings and Seattle SuperSonics for only a season each.

Scott Brooks would soon find himself with an opportunity to shine.

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Hired yet again as an assistant serving under P.J Carlesimo, he was named interim head coach pending Carlesimo’s termination. On April 22, 2009, Brooks was named head coach of the Oklahoma City Thunder. He found nothing short of success in his six full seasons as head coach.

As interim head coach, Brooks finished with a record of 22-47 after Carlesimo started the team off with a 1-10 start. However the next five seasons, the Thunder finished with three 50+ win seasons, and one 60-win season during the 2012-13 season.

Scott Brooks received the Coach of the Year Award for 2010 and was also named Western Conference head coach for the All-Star Game in 2012 and 2014.

Unfortunately, the successful reign came to an abrupt halt after his only unsuccessful season. Scott Brooks was fired a week after failing to reach the playoffs following the 2014-15 season.

This would not mark the end of his success as a coach, however.

The best is yet to come for Scott Brooks and the Wizards

It can not be emphasized enough that Scott Brooks is a true winner through and through. Not only is he successful during the regular season, he is more than familiar with having his team reach the postseason.

Of course, he has been privileged to have some of the best players in the league as former players. This includes having Russell Westbrook, James Harden and Kevin Durant while they reached the Finals before falling to the Miami Heat’s Big Three in 2012.

We already have proof that his track record can not be merely chalked up to luck or fortunate circumstances. Brooks is ready to take the Eastern Conference head one with the young offensive powerhouse that is currently the Washington Wizards.

Not only did Brooks improve their record from 41 wins the prior season to 49 in his first year, but the Wizards also reached Game 7 of the Eastern Conference semifinals. It absolutely needs to be recognized that this was the team’s most successful regular season dating back to 1978-79.

This is only a sign of things to come. John Wall is as elite a guard as they come, and Bradley Beal is also one of the best shooting guards in the league.

As the Washington Wizards prepare for the upcoming NBA Draft and try to determine if Otto Porter Jr. will make a return, there is a large sense of optimism within the franchise.

Next: 2017 NBA Mock Draft: Post-Lottery edition

Scott Brooks has proven to be a winner, and will continue to be as head coach of the Washington Wizards.