Wizards head coach Scott Brooks is “sitting firmly” on the hot seat, league sources tell Kevin O’Connor of The Ringer.
Brooks, who was hired by the Wizards in 2016, is now in the final season of his five-year contract with the club, O’Connor notes. His tenure in D.C. got off to a strong start with a 49-33 regular season record and a first-round playoff series win in ’16/17, but Washington’s winning percentage has declined every year since then. So far this season, the team is 2-8.
O’Connor suggests that Brooks “looks lost trying to find effective lineups” this season, though he cautions that the Wizards’ struggles can’t all be blamed on the head coach.
The team’s mid-level free agent addition – Robin Lopez – hasn’t been great, newly-added guard Russell Westbrook has shot a career-worst 37.8% from the floor, and Deni Avdija is a rookie going through growing pains. Thomas Bryant is now out for the season with a torn ACL, while Davis Bertans has been ineffective in the early going after signing a lucrative new long-term contract in November.
As O’Connor writes, it’s still very early in the season, so if the Wizards can turn things around, the pressure on Brooks should lift a little. But the fact that he doesn’t have a contract beyond this season doesn’t bode particularly well, especially if the club continues to underperform.
Seatbelt on
He needs to go. He turned Deni into a spot up shooter when he’s much more than that. Just like what they did to Sabonis in Oklahoma City
YES. THIS. Deni can’t be a (lesser) Luka if he isn’t handling the ball full time.
The mess in Washington isn’t entirely his fault, but he hasn’t helped his cause, either. There’s enough talent on that team where they shouldn’t be as bad as they’ve been. It’s time for a change.
Current record 2-8
Pythagorean record 5-5
Small sample size but in 10 more games a decision could be made. That would leave about 75% of the season left for the new coach.
Agree, seen a lotta Wizards this year – They are playing better than a 2-8 team and their actually is strides being made -Pretty fun watch as well
Have to wonder if just staying put with Wall would have been a better route
Thomas Bryant inj is going to kill them tho sadly and we will never know their true 2021 potential imo. Have to worry the toll on Beal if/when another ragged season occurs
O’Connor suggests that Brooks “looks lost trying to find effective lineups” this season,
Well hire Brett Brown, he will cure Brooks of this
SMH
He might find an effective lineup without a 37.8% shooter on the floor.
Shouldn’t have resigned Bertans for that much, should’ve spent better in FA.
Not much of a fan of the Wizards as an organisation tbh, and I think if they fire Brooks who has been there most of Beals career it may make him want to leave as he’s already frustrated
Brooks is like a lot NBA HCs, including some of the most highly paid. His skill set doesn’t appear to include coaching, or perhaps he believes his job description doesn’t require it. He might be right, as he appears to be nothing more than the team’s highly paid front man (if things go well) or its fall guy (if they don’t).
So, perhaps he’s not responsible for the roster, but he took, and performs in, a job that was bound to rise or fall on it. Big picture, it’s not bad work if you can get it. But he can’t complain.
So they traded Westbrook to Washington because of his relationship with Brooks and he may not last the season.
I’ve never been sold on Brooks as a coach, mostly because he’s never really outperformed expectations (as far as I can tell).
But the biggest problem he has right now is that Washington wants to keep Beal. Firing Brooks might help the Wizards hold onto a Beal that requests a trade.
37%?? wus not a good idea to rush things so quickly. could have gotten other 5s on da market. like defensive-minded instead of lopez. lol good luck brooks ur wizards werent impressive as we thot u guys will be
Is this really it for the grandmaster? If so, its been a ride. No man has ever been able to keep himself from being fired, like Scott Brooks. There have been pretenders that have shown some promise, but perhaps one day, there will be a true worthy successor to the title
Wizards =Beal
Very good offense, much scoring option and no defense
Wizards must Beal tradet, for picks and one, two defender
Bertrans contract is a problem. Westbrook have much energy. I love this guy, but he must play better, that’s correct