After missing the playoffs for the first time in six years, the Oklahoma City Thunder are unsure about Scott Brooks' future as head coach. Life in the NBA hits you fast, doesn't it?
The Thunder will evaluate Brooks before committing to bringing him back to guide the franchise for next year, the final season on his contract. With Kevin Durant battling injuries all season long and limited to only 27 games, the Thunder struggled to find their footing this season, ending their 2014-15 campaign with a 45-37 record, just shy of making the postseason cut.
According to Yahoo Sports, that finish has Brooks' status unclear moving forward. The Thunder went into the final game of the regular season Wednesday night needing a win over the Minnesota Timberwolves and the New Orleans Pelicans to lose to the San Antonio Spurs. OKC blasted Minnesota, 138-113, behind Russell Westbrook's 37 points, eight rebounds and seven assists, but New Orleans edged San Antonio, 108-103, to secure the eighth and final seed in the Western Conference. Falling shy of the postseason led to team officials evaluating Brooks' status as head coach for next season.
Scott Brooks: "There's always going to be speculation. You have to do your job regardless."
— Anthony Slater (@anthonyVslater) April 16, 2015
The Thunder can take solace in Westbrook winning the league's scoring title, finishing the season with an NBA-best 28.1 points-per-game average, which edged former teammate James Harden's 27.4 ppg. Just don't tell Westbrook about that. He could care less. He'd rather be in the playoffs than watching them on television. "Doesn't mean nothing," Westbrook told reporters upon learning that he had clinched his first scoring title. "Good job. Hurray. I'm at home. Watching other teams play. Doesn't mean nothing."
Scott Brooks on Russell Westbrook's scoring title: "40 years from now, when he's the most athletic grandpa, it'll be cool for him." — Anthony Slater (@anthonyVslater) April 16, 2015
Photo: Keith Allison | Flickr
