Thunder fire coach Scott Brooks after seven seasons...

[Laramie]

Oklahoma City Thunder fire coach Scott Brooks after seven seasons.

"This is an extremely difficult decision on many levels," general manager Sam Presti said in a statement. "This decision is not a reflection of this past season, but rather an assessment of what we feel is necessary at this point in time in order to continually evolve, progress and sustain. We determined that, in order to stimulate progress and put ourselves in the best position next season and as we looked to the future, a transition of this kind was necessary for the program."


http://espn.go.com/nba/

[dbacksfan 2.0]

In other words, "We have not made it far enough in the playoffs and the finals often enough that you're fired and we will find someone else to get us a championship."

[Hoss]

[cannon_fodder]

Are coaches in the NBA much more than baby sitters and figureheads?

This guy had one bad season, plagued with injury, and boot!

I don't really care, not an NBA or Thunder fan, but still...

[dbacksfan 2.0]

Are coaches in the NBA much more than baby sitters and figureheads?

This guy had one bad season, plagued with injury, and boot!

I don't really care, not an NBA or Thunder fan, but still...

In pro sports the coaches are disposable.  Couple of bad seasons and they become the first thing to replace. The players have better contracts then the coaches do.

[Conan71]

Someone a little more knowledgable about B-Ball than I am said his "offensive sets" weren't all that great- whatever that means.  The talent has been carrying the team, essentially.  That becomes obvious when your two key players lose a lot of playing time due to injuries.  I think the ownership felt they should have already won a championship by now, rather than this being a reflection on this season's results.

[Breadburner]

[Conan71]

One of the five best movies ever made.

[Hoss]

One of the five best movies ever made.

It's my favorite without doubt.

[rebound]

Someone a little more knowledgable about B-Ball than I am said his "offensive sets" weren't all that great- whatever that means.  The talent has been carrying the team, essentially.  That becomes obvious when your two key players lose a lot of playing time due to injuries.  I think the ownership felt they should have already won a championship by now, rather than this being a reflection on this season's results.

Agreed.  I'm not a huge watcher of pro basketball on a regular basis, but I love the game in general.  A year ago during the NBA playoffs, my son's club BB team coach asked the group (about twenty 7th grade boys and some parents) "can anybody tell me the one leading NBA team that runs mostly a half-court set offense?"  Among all the parents and kids, only one kid raised his hand and said "the Spurs".  And he was right.  Almost all NBA teams rely primarily on the transition game, which relies heavily on the pure talent of the individuals rather than offensive sets and actual "plays".  That's why the Spurs are so consistently good, because they exploit that difference.  Add better technical sets to OKC, with the talent they currently have, and they could run the table. 

[Laramie]

Billy Donovan to lead Thunder:



Billy Donovan 49, 1996–2015 - University of Florida (NCAA I)

In 21 seasons as a collegiate head coach, Donovan has a record of 502-206 with 14 NCAA Tournament appearances and four visits to the Final Four. In addition to his two national championships, the Gators also reached the Final Four in 2000 and 2014.

http://www.foxnews.com/sports/2015/04/30/billy-donovan-headed-to-oklahoma-city/

[Conan71]

Let's hope it translates into NBA wins.  This was definitely the best coaching situation to open up in the NBA in the last few years.  Not that I'm all that sharp on everything NBA, but the Thunder finally did usher in some interest in basketball for my wife and I.  They obviously have a ton of talent, but they have to cash in when Westbrook and KD are injured and they have to develop the guys who will pick up the slack when the inevitable happens with their starters.

[Laramie]

Agree,

If the Thunder can resign Enes Kanter (2015-16); then Kevin Durant & Russell Westbrook along with Steven Adams they should be an NBA championship  caliber franchise.