OKC Thunder 2014 - 2015

[OSUMom]

My big fear was that if we made it to the playoffs Ibaka would push too fast to come back for the games. And hurt himself more.

[Urbanized]

[AP]

Woj tweeted that Scott Brooks future was uncertain with the Thunder, which I take as a pretty big deal.

@WojYahooNBA: Yahoo Sources: Scott Brooks' future as Oklahoma City Thunder coach uncertain. http://yhoo.it/1JMAgNi

[Anonymous.]

Wow... that is huge news. And honestly... Way late in coming. We should have seen these talks after the 2012 Finals blunder.

[Urbanized]

The right time to fire him would have been last year. I think at this point you have to dance with the one that brung ya. I'm not saying he should still be here - in fact would have been very supportive of a change last year - but if everyone is healthy next year there is nobody who has a better chance to win it all, regardless of Brooks' inadequacies. However, if you introduce a new dynamic/scheme/chemistry things could just as easily go bad as good. That's not something you should meddle with going into KD's contract year and the team's last chance to get it right before he hits the market.

[Anonymous.]

The right time to fire him would have been last year. I think at this point you have to dance with the one that brung ya. I'm not saying he should still be here - in fact would have been very supportive of a change last year - but if everyone is healthy next year there is nobody who has a better chance to win it all, regardless of Brooks' inadequacies. However, if you introduce a new dynamic/scheme/chemistry things could just as easily go bad as good. That's not something you should meddle with going into KD's contract year and the team's last chance to get it right before he hits the market.

I see what you're saying, but that logic does not really fit considering OKC just has the most tumultuous season ever. This past season could basically be forgotten about forever since we never really had our entire actual team playing together for more than a handful of games.

Really if you think Brooks should have been gone after last season, then the argument still stands as this season was a washboard of misery and will fall off as an anomaly.


The rotations and the minutes allocation are cringe-worthy. Plays coming out of timeouts have improved, but are still on a highschool level. Brooks has been getting by on the sheer talent of his players, not his coaching.

[Urbanized]

I agree about the last point, but the talent level should overwhelm the rest of the league next year if healthy. And truthfully, but for the stretch when KD and Russ were BOTH out, the Thunder is probably a 5 or 6 seed right now, even as decimated as they are.

Again, would be very concerned about upsetting the apple cart this late in the game. Come back and stay healthy, this team Likely wins a title with Brooks on the bench.

[gopokes88]

This was leaked from Brooks' side and I really want to know why.

[Laramie]

Attachment 10634

Want to extend our appreciation to our:

Oklahoma City Thunder

&

Thunder fans


205th consecutive sellout 18,203

for their effort and fan loyalty expressed throughout the 2014-15 NBA Season.

[HangryHippo]

This was leaked from Brooks' side and I really want to know why.

Where did you hear this? I know the first extension negotiations were contentious because of Brooks' agent. I wonder if his agent is acting a fool again...?

[Laramie]

Noticed the slight improvement throughout the season in defense especially with Waiters, Morrow & Kanter.

Kanter, if resigned along with Waiters & Morrow will provide the defensive power we lost when Sefolosha & Perkins departed. They possess something that Sefolosha & Perkins didn't provide--more offensive weapons needed to take OKC to the finals.

The 2015-16 season will provide us more answers about the future direction of the Thunder. Our top priority will be to sign Kevin Durant; continue to build around the tandem of Durant & Westbrook with the support from Ibaka, Adams, Kanter, Morrow & Augustin.

What are your thoughts?

[Stan Silliman]

The Thunder have a chance to be right at the top next year. Some things need to be worked on including over the summer and if these are accomplished, we will be in the hunt.

Here's what I hope:
1) Steven Adams puts on ten pounds. That's all he needs to be equal to the punishment he's going to get next year. He also needs to work with his shooting/free throw coach, every day until he's 90% in practice and 75% in games.

2) if there's such a thing as a big man defense camp, Enes Kantor and Mitch McGary need to attend. They've got to improve their defense. Both players are nimble enough and coordinated enough they shouldn't be that weak on defense.

3) I'm a Waiter's fan. He hustles on defense, has good vision and has a crossover equal to what Reggie had. He can serve two purposes, he's instance offense on the second team and against any second team player his first step can be a blow by and plus, he's an adequate third team point guard. In the offseason, he needs to improve his free throw and three point shooting.

4) Ibaka was fairly inconsistent this year. I expect him to improve in a couple of areas - more moves around the basket just by playing against and watching Kanter's footwork and 2) not biting on the pump fakes. He's been around long enough if he fixes that one little piece in his game his defense becomes even better.

5) Durant and his adjustment to being off so long and having a mended foot is an unknown. I think it helps that he can know he doesn't have to carry the team, that he can be the go to guy but if he's being doubled or being pushed too far out we've got weapons - the leagues leading scorer as well as inside guys he can trust as well and three point marksmen he didn't have before. Plus Durant should benefit next year from his old college team mate, Augustin being a significant attitude improvement over Jackson.

6) Westbrook. Westbrook should lead the league in assists. With four big men with soft hands who can finish he will have no trouble creating tons of pick and roll baskets. And with Ibaka, Durant, Morrow, Singlar and Waiters he'll have plenty of reliable long range shooters. I expect Westbrook's scoring to go down but his productivity to go up. He'll still should be first choice on everybody's fantasy team.

7) Andre Robertson and Andrew Morrow - if there was a booth they could go in and absorb the best parts of each other's game that should be their off season goals. Morrow, I thought, played good defense at times, showed signs of improving. It just wasn't often enough. Perimeter defense is a key next year and these guys along with Waiters, Singler and Durant are essential to improving this aspect. If Morrow can improve his defense significantly, I see no reason why he shouldn't be a starter and a thirty minute guy.

[zookeeper]

The only reason I worry about Brooks getting the boot is -- Kevin Durant. Durant is Brooks biggest supporter and with Durant having to make a big decision soon, I think that we have a better chance of keeping him with Brooks as head coach. Durant is almost in a position to call this shot.

[okatty]

The only reason I worry about Brooks getting the boot is -- Kevin Durant. Durant is Brooks biggest supporter and with Durant having to make a big decision soon, I think that we have a better chance of keeping him with Brooks as head coach. Durant is almost in a position to call this shot.

Don't think there is any chance Thunder makes a coaching move without KD fully on board.

[okatty]

Nice RW commentary on his unbelieveable season:

Russell Westbrook's season is over, and life's not fair - SBNation.com

[jn1780]

The Thunder need to hunt down the witch that put a curse on them so they can all heal up this summer. I really hope KD is back to normal next fall.

[Roger S]

The Thunder need to hunt down the witch that put a curse on them so they can all heal up this summer. I really hope KD is back to normal next fall.

Probably should start the search at a gingerbread house just outside of Seattle.

[soonermike81]

Noticed the slight improvement throughout the season in defense especially with Waiters, Morrow & Kanter.

Kanter, if resigned along with Waiters & Morrow will provide the defensive power we lost when Sefolosha & Perkins departed. They possess something that Sefolosha & Perkins didn't provide--more offensive weapons needed to take OKC to the finals.

The 2015-16 season will provide us more answers about the future direction of the Thunder. Our top priority will be to sign Kevin Durant; continue to build around the tandem of Durant & Westbrook with the support from Ibaka, Adams, Kanter, Morrow & Augustin.

What are your thoughts?

I love Kanter, he is a double double machine. Probably had more since he got here than Perk did his entire career as a Thunder. But the guy brings absolutely zero defense to the table.

[Laramie]

The Thunder need to hunt down the witch that put a curse on them so they can all heal up this summer. I really hope KD is back to normal next fall.

Miss Rudolph, the Voodoo Dark Lady, who resides on the Fortune Queen in New Orleans.

Richard Pryor can tell you plenty about this woman; just google Richard Pryor & Miss Rudolph - Youtube video...

[Mel]

So she is a Pelicans fan. That explains a lot.

[Of Sound Mind]

Classless in Seattle (again)... via @NewsOKSports: "Shawn Kemp had a Sonics party because the Thunder missed the playoffs."

[okatty]

Think they will jump in the Sound next year when Thunder wins NBA title?

[Urbanized]

If shadenfeude is all you've got, you're in pretty sad shape. That said, Kemp was just playing to the home crowd. Bashing OKC was the low-hanging fruit that helped them sell $15 tickets. Who cares?

[okatty]

Westbrook wins NBA Player of the Month for April - oh yeah, he won it in Feb and March too!

[OSUMom]

And now we have Charles Barkley, who has been a huge critic of the Thunder, saying good things.

Bring on next year and healthy players!