Wooo! I’m happy. According the official Thunder site, Scott Brooks has officially been handed the reins:
Throughout the nearly five months that he’s served as interim coach of the Thunder, Scott Brooks has often said that he, like his team, has improved over time.
On Wednesday, the Thunder made it known that Brooks and the Thunder will continue the progression together, as Brooks accepted his first head coaching job in the NBA, the team announced.
Thunder General Manager Sam Presti has long said that he would wait until the conclusion of the regular season to evaluate Brooks and decide whether to remove his interim tag. It didn’t take long to come to a decision.
I think it’s a wonderful decision. If you’ve been following along, I’ve been saying I figured if Brooks was going to be hired full time, it would happen before this game or first thing tomorrow morning. This was the team goes into the offseason with a clear-cut goal in mind and their leader set in stone. Great move for the Thunder organization because if OKC didn’t lock him up, someone else was going to. Brooks is an excellent communicator, solid motivator and does an awesome job of representing the franchise. He handles himself well and it seems the players have really bought into him and have built a wonderful chemistry under him.
Let’s hope Interim Coach Scotty can get his first win tonight as “head coach” of the Oklahoma City Thunder. That would be a good way to usher in the Scott Brooks era. I know playing the Clippers in a meaningless last game isn’t all that motivating, but how about giving a good effort for Coach Brooks?
@Kev
I think it did.
ok, he's no longer "interim" and he promised a 48 minute effort tonight - let's hope that actually occurs . . .
My guess would be 2 years guaranteed with 2 years team option, for about 1-1.5 mil per year. Probably some nice earnable bonuses as well. Good for him.
I'm big on loyalty and continuity. Brooks has done his best, been all those things that Royce mentioned (good communicator etc), he had some real momentum going in January and February. April has been a disaster, but I am glad that this young team has some continuity going forward.
Interestingly, Presti waited until May 2nd 2008 to give P.J. his vote of confidence for last year. That's more than 2 weeks after the season was over. This shows great confidence, loyalty and continuity.
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nba/2004387211_sonicoach02.html
I hope Brooks and this team really come out hot next year.
@Jax Raging Bile Duct
Absolutely. On everything.
Timing is everything, and I think this was in Presti's win-win plan all along. In November, Presti's thinking that Brooks is a good option for interim, and if he works out and the players love him, then giving him the job at season's end guarantees that you go out on a high note, despite a poor record. And if he doesn't work out, then you hire another promising coach with a mindset for success, giving players and fans a glimmer of hope, and you go out on a high note.
But I'm glad Brooks got the job. I'd have been surprised if he didn't get it, but these last few games made me nervous. Maybe he's not the long term Jerry Sloan solution, but I like him for now and the near future. But then again, maybe he will be the long term guy. Everyone needs their start somewhere, and so far, when he's gotten the chance, he's seized the moment. In any case, good luck Mr. Brooks. It's nice to have you as a part of our community here on a less temporary basis.