Kevin Durant Says Good Bye To Fired Thunder Head Coach Scott Brooks

The Oklahoma City Thunder made the decision to part way with head coach Scott Brooks, after seven seasons with the franchise.

The Thunder missed the playoffs for the first time since 2009 this season because of a rash of injuries. Kevin Durant missed 50 some games this season with a foot injury, Serge Ibaka and Russell Westbrook missed time away for the court this season also.

Thunder GM Sam Presti reportedly flew to the West Coast to let Brooks know in person.

“This is an extremely difficult decision on many levels,” general manager Sam Presti said in a statement. “This decision is not a reflection of this past season, but rather an assessment of what we feel is necessary at this point in time in order to continually evolve, progress and sustain. We determined that, in order to stimulate progress and put ourselves in the best position next season and as we looked to the future, a transition of this kind was necessary for the program.”

Kevin Durant posted this message to Instagram about the move.

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. 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 has been KD’s head coach since his second season in the NBA. Brooks won 62% of his games while with the franchise, taking the team to three Conference finals, and an NBA finals. He was voted Coach of the Year in 2009. The move was reportedly done with an eye to the future. The Orlando Magic and Denver Nuggets are reportedly interested in Brooks services.