Memo to Brooks: Run, Thunder, run
Scott Brooks has only been on the job a few days, but I’ve got some advice for the new Thunder coach.
Play faster.
The Thunder has gotten off to an abysmal start, winning just once in its first 13 games. What’s worse, this team has looked like it was playing in sludge much of the time. It’s slow. It’s painful. Frankly, it’s got to stop.
This is a team that has neither a great big man nor a reliable outside shooter. Playing a half-court game is not its strength. In fact, getting in a half-court game is perhaps the last thing the Thunder want to do. And yet, this team has seemed hesitant to run. Granted, it’s a lot easier to be a running team when your defense gets stops. It’s difficult to run when you’re taking the ball out of the basket all the time.
But still, there have been times when it looked like the Thunder could run and pulled back instead. It’s been baffling, especially considering that one of the main things that this team has going for it is youth. The Thunder have a bunch of young guys who can run and jump.
Why not play to that strength?
Why not play a more up-tempo style?
I’m hopeful that Brooks will hit the accelerator. He was a point guard during his playing days, and there are stories of him sprinting up court, his blond hair flying every which way. He liked to push the tempo. He liked to play fast.
Here’s hoping that’s still the case now that he’s the Thunder coach.
Brooks has been handed a team with many faults, but one of the things that these players seem to be able to do is get out and run.
A bit of advice to the new coach: run them until their legs fall off.
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Comments
DELUSIONAL, TO SAY THE LEAST ABOUT SCOTT BROOKS AND HIS INTERIM ABILITY TO BE THE COCH OF THIS TEAM. “ANYONE HAVE AVERY JOHNSON’S PHONE NUMBER”?
Actually, Jenni, Brooks has slowed the pace dramatically. Under P.J., the Thunder was the third fastest team in the league, averaging more than 96 possessions per 48 minutes. That’s pretty indicative of Paul Westhead’s philosophy. Unfortunately, our offensive effeciency was dead last, scoring 92.5 points per 100 possessions.
Under Brooks, we’ve slowed down to 90.2, which is about 22nd in the league. But guess what? Our efficiency has jumped to 109.2 points per 100 possessions, which is seventh in the NBA. For a much better, more complete breakdown, take a look at this post from Thunderguru.com
Go OKC Potatoes!!!