Washington Wizards Did Not Hire Scott Brooks Just To Lure Kevin Durant

After the Washington Wizards hired Scott Brooks, many believed the reason to bring in the former Oklahoma City Thunder head coach was to lure Kevin Durant back to his hometown. Even though this is a perk of the hire, there is so much more to it than the hope that a former NBA MVP would consider leaving the franchise who drafted him to return home.

Throughout Washington’s hiring process, fans and media around the league seemed to forget about Brooks’ qualifications. He coached Oklahoma City to 60 wins in the 2012-13 season, led the team to five playoff appearances in seven seasons, coached in the Western Conference Finals after the 2010-11 and 2013-14 seasons, and was at the helm when the Thunder were defeated by the Miami Heat in the 2012 NBA Finals. Brooks’ reign also included four consecutive northwest division titles from 2010-14.

Brooks also spent time playing with the Philadelphia 76ers, Minnesota Timberwolves, Dallas Mavericks, New York Knicks, and Cleveland Cavaliers. Along with playing collegiately at TCU, San Joaquin Delta, and UC Irvine, Brooks has a unique player’s perspective of the game that other candidates Washington was considering may have not had.

As a point guard, Brooks will be able to connect with John Wall on a level Randy Wittman was unable to do so. The two see the game similarly, and will benefit from having the opportunity to work with one another.

In Brooks’ first season as head coach after taking over once P.J. Carlesimo was fired on November 22, 2008, Oklahoma City only won 22 games. The next season, the Thunder improved their record by 28 games on their way to a 50-win season. That 2008-09 team already had Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook on the roster, proving Brooks is ready to change an underachieving team into a playoff team.

Finding extra motivation for Kevin Durant to come to Washington may have played a part in the hire of Brooks, but it was not the sole reason, or even a key part of the decision. Brooks was the best candidate available for the position, and has the best chance of being successful with the Wizards.