The Wizards already hired Kevin Durant’s high school assistant coach.
Now that they’ve hired his old Thunder head coach – Scott Brooks – does that put them over the top?
Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo Sports:
I’m sure Durant appreciates Brooks helping his career, but when Oklahoma City fired Brooks, Durant didn’t waste time siding with the organization. Ultimately, Durant had little choice but to get in line behind Billy Donovan, but other players in Durant’s position have shown more of a public nod toward the outgoing coach.
So, the Wizards should have known better than to hire Brooks because he’d lure Durant. They probably did.
Momentum has been working against Durant to D.C. for a while.
He called Washington fans cheering for him as an opposing player “disrespectful.” In turn, they booed him.
The Wizards are reportedly planning a low-key pitch when Durant wants major attention.
The Warriors have emerged as a favorite outside Oklahoma City, which could still keep its star at least another year. Even the Spurs and Celtics seem like more credible threats than Washington.
If the Wizards didn’t realize all this, that indicates bigger problems. I’d give them the benefit of the doubt that they believe Brooks is the best man for the job, Durant or no Durant. But that doesn’t let Washington off the hook.
Brooks must still prove he adds big value in other ways.
