An early list of Orlando Magic coaching candidates
Scott Brooks
Regular Season | Playoffs | ||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Season | Tm | W | L | W/L% | Finish | W | L | W/L% | Notes |
2008-09 | OKC | 22 | 47 | .319 | 5 | ||||
2009-10 | OKC | 50 | 32 | .610 | 4 | 2 | 4 | .333 | |
2010-11 | OKC | 55 | 27 | .671 | 1 | 9 | 8 | .529 | |
2011-12 | OKC | 47 | 19 | .712 | 1 | 13 | 7 | .650 | WC Champions |
2012-13 | OKC | 60 | 22 | .732 | 1 | 5 | 6 | .455 | |
2013-14 | OKC | 59 | 23 | .720 | 1 | 10 | 9 | .526 | |
2014-15 | OKC | 45 | 37 | .549 | 2 | 0 | 0 | ||
Career | 338 | 207 | .620 | 39 | 34 | .534 |
Provided by Basketball-Reference.com: View Original Table
Generated 4/22/2015.
Scott Brooks is a decent option for head coach and his ties to Rob Hennigan and the Thunder should not be discounted.
The surprise firing today from the Thunder’s head coaching job has pushed the Magic back in the pecking order for job placement in the league. Brooks could find a nice landing spot with a developing team like the Magic.
For all his shortcomings with the Thunder, he oversaw the growth and development of one of the most talented young teams the NBA has seen in a long time. He is experienced and has had success. Two things the Magic are almost certainly looking for.
Players would listen to him and the Thunder continue to go to bat for him. Not to mention the Thunder connection with the front office. Now that he is officially available, I might slot him as the favorite for the job.
There are undoubtedly shortcomings though.
Brooks received plenty of complaints for running an iso-centric and anemic offense with Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook dominating the ball. Really all he had to do was spread the floor and let them go to work.
Brooks was probably more focused on instilling a defensive mentality on a young team, which he was successful in doing. Having Serge Ibaka helps, but when Brooks got Ibaka he was extremely raw. He developed a 3-point shot and much of his ability under Brooks’ stewardship.
What makes Brooks even more tantalizing is that he could be viewed as a true partner to Hennigan. Many of the candidates described above seem to want some say in personnel decisions. Rob Hennigan has to choose a partner carefully if he is going to give up power, or else risk losing his own job. Brooks seems like he would be someone Hennigan could trust in the long run.
Next: Other contenders