Scott Brooks returns to OKC: 'We had a great run'
Former Thunder coach Scott Brooks isn't expecting loud cheers or a roaring ovation from the Oklahoma City crowd when his name is announced prior to facing his former squad Wednesday night.
“That's a little ambitious if I'm thinking they're gonna give me an ovation,” the new Wizards bench boss told Brett Dawson of The Oklahoman. Brooks added he's at least "hoping" for a warm response from the energetic OKC faithful.
“We had a great run,” said Brooks, who was unemployed last season before taking the Wizards job. “Unfortunately it ended for me, but that's the business we're in. I have a lot of respect for the organization. I have a tremendous amount of respect for the players that I coached.”
Prior to being let go after the 2014-15 season, Brooks coached the Thunder for seven campaigns, posting a record of 545-388, with five postseason appearances. The team managed just 22 wins in his first year, but responded with its first 50-win campaign and a playoff appearance in 2009-10.
With a nucleus of Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook, James Harden, and Serge Ibaka, OKC made the NBA Finals in 2012 where they would fall to LeBron James and the Miami Heat. The Thunder won 50 games a total of five times during Brooks' tenure, with one 60-win campaign in 2012-13.
“When you look at the history of the Oklahoma City Thunder, Scott holds a special place,” Thunder general manager Sam Presti said. “We all have great appreciation and respect for his contributions as the head coach of the Thunder during his tenure here. I know everyone is looking forward to seeing him back on the sidelines in The Peake.”
Especially triple-double machine Westbrook, who owes a lot to his former coach.
“Scotty, he's my guy, honestly,” Westbrook said. “He gave me a real shot to be able to do some of the things and kind of let me go out there and make mistakes.”
The Wizards come into Chesapeake Arena having won three of their last four games, sitting on a record of 6-10, two games out of eighth in the Eastern Conference.