Billy Donovan...

[Thunderhead]

Well Presti isn't going to flat out say "I don't think we can win a title under Scott", is he? He's got to be diplomatic about it in the media.

or he can't say " I really want to work with my buddy Billy " .

Dude is that honestly what you think?

Presti has wanted him gone since the 2012 season(you know, the year they went to the Finals) for Brad Stevens, the only reason he was brought back was because KD and Russ intervened.

Why do you keep acting like Presti chose to hire his best friend without thinking of KD's future and his own job?

This wasn't a rushed hire, Presti did his homework.

Your theory has no more validity than mine.

All I know , is JVG is asking the same questions I am, and ESPN even went to the trouble to build a graphic of Brooks coaching record and ask " what do you have to do " .

[Thunderhead]

Presti has orchestrated a dog and pony show.

And most Thunder fans, don't even know what they are watching.

[KD35Brah]

or he can't say " I really want to work with my buddy Billy " .

Dude is that honestly what you think?

Presti has wanted him gone since the 2012 season(you know, the year they went to the Finals) for Brad Stevens, the only reason he was brought back was because KD and Russ intervened.

Why do you keep acting like Presti chose to hire his best friend without thinking of KD's future and his own job?

This wasn't a rushed hire, Presti did his homework.

Your theory has no more validity than mine.

All I know , is JVG is asking the same questions I am, and ESPN even went to the trouble to build a graphic of Brooks coaching record and ask " what do you have to do " .

What theory am i proposing? That Presti doesn't think of his job and KD's future with the team?

EVERYONE did the same for Mark Jackson, a bunch of analyst thinking Brooks was fired because of the 45 win season don't matter to me because he wasn't fired over that reason. He was never going to push us over the top, healthy or not he just isn't that type of coach.

I mean the guy played Fisher the entire 4th quarter and OT in an elimination game 6 against SA while he repeatedly got abused in the post on mismatches.

[bondom34]

As much as it pains me to say it, Tramel did have a point in his article a little while back, no coach has ever won after this long as HC in one place. Even if they're similar coaches, sometimes a new voice is needed, it just happens. I get some people don't like change, and I was as big a fan of Brooks as any. I wish him the best and I'm sure he gets another job soon. That said, there's a great opportunity here and I think Donovan could really fill it well.

[spearsy23]

As much as it pains me to say it, Tramel did have a point in his article a little while back, no coach has ever won after this long as HC in one place. Even if they're similar coaches, sometimes a new voice is needed, it just happens. I get some people don't like change, and I was as big a fan of Brooks as any. I wish him the best and I'm sure he gets another job soon. That said, there's a great opportunity here and I think Donovan could really fill it well.

There has never been a situation like this before either. Brooks took over a team that couldn't have been younger and turned them into a contender with a huge window, then dealt with non career threatening injuries for three straight years. Coaches usually don't win with a team as young as Scott had and a new coach usually is brought in as soon as players are developed. Honestly, while I feel like firing Brooks at all was a mistake, it's not a huge one. Firing Brooks this year was a stupid risk, setting up the hiring of Donovan over the course of the last year was bullsh*t, and not even bothering with other candidates that fit what you claim you want comes off as hiring your buddy. So I'll say it again, Donovan is a fine coach and is not the issue, the timing, way he was selected, and the lack of respect shown to Scott is. Saying they needed a change to get over the hump is a self-fulfilling prophecy, if everyone is healthy and Donovan wins that isn't proof there needed to be a change, that's proof they needed to be healthy.

[falcon107]

Don't compare him with Messina. Messina is way better. At least he has NBA experience. But as I wrote before Messina would not leave Spurs. There might be other options, and shortly I do not like this choice.

[Machete]

Too many people who are judgemental..

[bondom34]

As much as it pains me to say it, Tramel did have a point in his article a little while back, no coach has ever won after this long as HC in one place. Even if they're similar coaches, sometimes a new voice is needed, it just happens. I get some people don't like change, and I was as big a fan of Brooks as any. I wish him the best and I'm sure he gets another job soon. That said, there's a great opportunity here and I think Donovan could really fill it well.

There has never been a situation like this before either. Brooks took over a team that couldn't have been younger and turned them into a contender with a huge window, then dealt with non career threatening injuries for three straight years. Coaches usually don't win with a team as young as Scott had and a new coach usually is brought in as soon as players are developed. Honestly, while I feel like firing Brooks at all was a mistake, it's not a huge one. Firing Brooks this year was a stupid risk, setting up the hiring of Donovan over the course of the last year was bullsh*t, and not even bothering with other candidates that fit what you claim you want comes off as hiring your buddy. So I'll say it again, Donovan is a fine coach and is not the issue, the timing, way he was selected, and the lack of respect shown to Scott is. Saying they needed a change to get over the hump is a self-fulfilling prophecy, if everyone is healthy and Donovan wins that isn't proof there needed to be a change, that's proof they needed to be healthy.

Completely fair.

[KD35Brah]

Coach Nick Breakdown on how some plays would work with the team.
[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uj4PIYuDe4c[/youtube]

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A5QhW-I5N0c[/youtube]

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1WpgDNS8w2k[/youtube]

Wing Ball Screens
[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ilh7r7LlcDc[/youtube]

[KD35Brah]

Press conference from Donovan. I don't remember anyone posting it.

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=izGXq7xgwh8[/youtube]

[Bravenewworld]

Ive been defending Brooks for years despite many taking issue with him. Quite frankly, hes not a bad coach and he will probably do a very good job where ever he ends up going... maybe even end up with a contending team... Orlando would be a good destination.

All that being said, the last fifteen games of this season was enough for me. Im okay with Brooks running a "give KD/Westbrook the ball" offense as long as when it comes down to it, he can run a traditional offense as well. Which apparently he cant. He seems okay in certain situations, but not for a game and we need someone who can flip between the two. Personally i was hoping we would see the Thunder attempt to change basketball coaching as we know it and hire three coaches. Move more toward the NFL model of staff coaching.
Anywho, ive been watching Donovan for years down here in Florida and IMO his system should translate fairly well with this team. As long as he sticks with his offensive schematics we should be fine.

[Thundestruck]

Jeff Van Gundy didn't think Mark Jackson should have gotten fired either. How did that work out?

JVG is a coach at heart. When in the history of the world have you ever heard a coach say publicly another coach deserved to get fired? No coach ever thinks another coach deserves it.

And actually Brooks probably didn't deserve to get fired. However, the organization thought a change was needed. 7 years is a long time to coach a team without making it to the top (whether that was fair or not). Brooks got a lot bad luck with the injuries but he also proved he was not the type of coach who could elevate his team above that in any way. The difference between great and champion is small. If Donovan can just be a tad better than Brooks then the upside is a championship. If Donovan is just a tad worse than Brooks you still have a great team.

[13ringsruling]

brooks needed to go when they got beat in the finals by the heat
period

do any of you watch these games?
how many times in a row did brooks run westbrook on top and a pindown for kd on the wing?
how many times did the offense stagnate once westbrook or durant couldn't create something individually?

his defense was fine his offense was **** horrid and if you all truly believe scott brooks was going to win a championship when he got thoroughly outcoached in the finals by ERIK **** SPOELSTRA - you are seriously delusional.

bring on billy donovan, a movement and screen heavy offense like dallas runs, and you guys are gonna be lethal if everyone's healthy.

but really, okc reached its peak with brooks in 2012 when he had the core four healthy and ready to go. and he blew it.

Edited for language.

[Bravenewworld]

but really, okc reached its peak with brooks in 2012 when he had the core four healthy and ready to go. and he blew it.

Im not sure if we can chalk up 2012 to Brooks. Fact of the matter is everyone was very young on that team and had not been in a position like that before. With Harden, this was very evident as he could never adjust to being shut down when driving to the left and at that time, that was his main move.

[13ringsruling]

i think coaching plays a big part of it.
if harden couldnt adjust himself to being shut down when driving to the left there should have been different playcalls imo.
i also think that if brooks' offense wasnt so elementary at the time (literally - give the ball to westbrook kd or harden and move) then it would have opened up different opportunities.

id have to see if i can find the games from that series but from what i remember they ran like 99% iso thatd devolve into either a) bad shots outright or b) pnr and bad shots.

i think coaching also plays a big part in holding the team together during big moments like, you know, the games for all the marbles. it doesnt automatically make everyone mature and levelheaded but at the same time if your coach is like chill run 25 fist, you do it,m if he commands that respect from you, if you understand what i mean (maybe respect isnt the best word for what im trying to say but i cant think of the one im really searching for.)

dont get me wrong, hes a good defensive coach, im pretty sure they were ranked top10 defense every year the last 3-4. but his offense was terrible and while firing him outright now was maybe not the best look for some naysayers to pick at, i think it was needed. but i also think they really **** the bed by not at least hiring an offensive assistant (dantoni or gentry come to mind immediately) anytime in the last few years.

[spearsy23]

i think coaching plays a big part of it.
if harden couldnt adjust himself to being shut down when driving to the left there should have been different playcalls imo.

I stopped reading here, it shows you don't know what you're talking about. Harden had no offensive moves outside of 'drive left' at this point in his career. He played the pick and roll masterfully all playoffs (and they kept trying it in the finals), but if a defender shut off his left hand and didn't foul he had no counter.

[bondom34]

If there's anything we've seen today, its that Harden still doesn't really have many moves. Its a drive, rip through/shot attempt, hope to get to the line. It works a ton, but he still doesn't do much else.

[13ringsruling]

i have no clue what im talking about because im saying that the coach (and staff) didnt practice plays with harden going in different directions and instead only practiced and therefore only let harden go in games to his favored direction?

okay cool. glad to see basic basketball fundamentals (practice what you aren't good at so that you are good at it so your options are more varied) is looked down upon in these parts.

[bbms]

2012 Finals was the worst coaching job I've ever seen. I always thought that ball movement should be a standard initial strategy when you have a gifted off the ball player in Durant.

When Westbrook went down and the TThunder didn't have anyone to put pressure on opposing defenses, imo, was when Brooks' lack of preparation and a standard ball movement strategy was exposed as the Thunder couldn't ever get the ball to Durant on 1v1 situations or in decent scoring positions. 2013 series against Memphis was the most laughable playoffs offense I've ever seen starring a previous finalist. Not even a swept 2011 Lakers was that bad.

If Billy sees that as a problem, he's already better than Brooks in my eyes.


Enviado do meu iPhone usando o RealGM Forums

[13ringsruling]

imagine if the thunder had fired brooks after the 2012 finals and hired brett brown or budenholzer.......can you imagine bud/brown vs pop in the WCF in that case, cos i certainly could.

THAT is what they should have done tbh but hey hindsights 20/20 and they went this route so hopefully everything works out.