Morris: Brooks' coaching style is 'militaristic'

I don't know what I've been told, Brooks' style is mighty bold.

Scott Brooks, who became the 24th head coach in Washington Wizards history shortly after the 2015-16 regular season, has a reputation around NBA circles for being able to relate to players - having been a former player himself - and establish relationships that go beyond the hardwood.

However, Brooks demands respect from his talent like any good leader should, and just months into his new role in the nation's capital, the 2010 Coach of the Year is letting the Wizards know through his actions how he's going to handle his new position.

Forward Markieff Morris played 27 games under former coach Randy Wittman after joining the team at the trade deadline in a deal with the Phoenix Suns. Months before the start of the 2016-17 campaign, Morris is already noticing the differences between Wittman and Brooks, telling CSN's J. Michael how Brooks' regime is very "militaristic" in its approach.

Jarell Eddie, an undrafted guard who suited up for 26 games last year with the Wizards, believes Morris is on the money with his assessment.

"He likes structure. He likes every detail to be exactly how he wants it. He lets it be known," Eddie said of Brooks. "It is a lot more, 'This is how we're going to do things and if you're not going to do things like that then you better learn how to do it like that.' That's the feel I get."

Brooks was relieved of his duties with the Oklahoma City Thunder on April 22, 2015 after the team didn't qualify for the playoffs with a 45-37 record, even though All-Star Kevin Durant missed all but 27 games.

While acknowledging that he'll be tough when it's absolutely necessary, Brooks doesn't want to come off as an authoritarian in his first year on the job.

"Militaristic, I don't think I've ever been known as that," he said. "The game is easy if you do it the right way and you play with a great effort and you play together as a team. When you don't do that, when there's hidden agendas when there's other things you have to navigate through, that's when it becomes difficult and not every fun to be around."