Kevin Durant posted a note on Instagram Wednesday in which he expressed his feelings about the Oklahoma City Thunder’s firing of coach Scott Brooks.
Though Durant said he supported the team’s decision to make the move, he acknowledged how difficult it is.
“Today was tough for me. While I support our team’s decision 100 percent and look forward to the upcoming season and the future in OKC, Scotty was my coach and a friend for the past 7 seasons. We accomplished a lot together, and those times will never be taken away from us,” Durant wrote. “I grew as both a man and a ball player under his guidance and for that I will forever be grateful. I wish nothing but the best for him and his family who have also been such a big part of this city and organization. I know he will be very successful in wherever his next steps in life are.”
Brooks did a fine job as the Thunder’s coach, which is why he will be a top candidate for some other coaching jobs around the league. But the reality is the team could have done more with a better coach. They reached the playoffs five straight years under Brooks, including one NBA Finals appearance and two conference finals appearances. I always felt like they underachieved with Brooks and that it took him too many years to recognize the greatness he had in Russell Westbrook.
The Thunder elected to make the head coaching change now that way another coach will have a year in the organization before Durant hits free agency, which should give them a better chance of retaining him. Regardless, Durant expressed warm sentiments towards Brooks, and I’m sure the coach appreciated the note.
