Tag: Scott Brooks

How the Pelicans and Wizards openings affect Boston’s coaching search

Could the coaching vacancies in New Orleans and Washington affect Boston’s coaching search?

It’s Black Monday all over again in the NBA this morning as two new coaching vacancies have opened up. Reported by Adrian Wojnarowski and Andrew Lopez of ESPN, the New Orleans Pelicans have relieved Stan Van Gundy of his head coaching duties.

Shortly following Van Gundy’s departure from New Orleans was the Washington Wizards and head coach Scott Brooks agreeing to part ways after failing to come to a new contract agreement, also reported by Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN.

The vacancies in New Orleans and Washington now make it six openings across the NBA including Boston, Indiana, Orlando, and Portland.

So, how do the additions of the Pelicans and Wizards openings affect the Celtics?

Well, for New Orleans, the Pelicans immediately jumps into the top-3 of most sought after coaching landing spots, alongside Boston and Portland, solely based on Zion Williamson. According to Woj, the Pelicans could interview a pair of potential Celtics candidates, including Brooklyn’s Ime Udoka and Milwaukee’s Charles Lee.

For Washington, depending on who they decide to hire as their new coach, could potentially finally start rumblings of All-Star Bradley Beal wanting out of a Wizards uniform. Why does that matter to Boston? Well, because Beal and Jayson Tatum are childhood friends from St. Louis. And with both expected to play for Team USA this summer, you can almost guarantee the two will have conversations about playing alongside one another.

This post originally appeared on Celtics Wire. Follow us on Facebook!

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Wizards, Sixers compare Joel Embiid to NBA legend Hakeem Olajuwon

Both the Washington Wizards and the Philadelphia 76ers compare Joel Embiid to Hakeem Olajuwon.

Philadelphia 76ers star Joel Embiid has been compared to NBA legend Hakeem Olajuwon plenty of times in the past. The comparisons are clear as Embiid has patterned his game a bit after the Houston Rockets franchise legend with his impeccable footwork and his ability to dominate a game.

To begin the 2021 playoffs, Embiid is taking on one of Olajuwon’s former teammates in the form of Washington Wizards coach Scott Brooks. Brooks played for the Rockets for 2.5 seasons and he was able to see Olajuwon better than a lot of people.

Through three games in this Round 1 series, Embiid is averaging 29.3 points on 67.4% shooting and he’s also shooting 54.5% from deep and 87% from the foul line. That has Brooks reminiscing on his former teammate.

“I was fortunate enough to play with Olajuwon for almost three years, he’s doing things that I haven’t seen since then,” Brooks explained. “His seventh year in the league he’s been able to see it all now and he’s had some seen all the defenses, seen all the schemes, and he’s skilled. He’s a skilled, athletic, tough, high IQ basketball player.”

It is clear that Embiid is growing as a basketball player in terms of his IQ. He is quickly identifying double teams and he is doing an excellent job of being able to attack them correctly either as a scorer or as a passer and that is scary for the rest of the league.

“If you make a mistake, he capitalizes on it and their team does as well,” Brooks added. “Even if you don’t make a mistake, he was making shots over our guys. He was making shots over a double team last night, but like I said, I haven’t seen anybody that’s Olajuwon be able to dominate a game on both ends of the floor like he does.”

Sixers coach Doc Rivers has played with the likes of Patrick Ewing and he has battled Olajuwon in the past. He agrees with Brooks that there is some Olajuwon in Embiid’s game, but he sees more Ewing in his star big man.

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“I can see that,” said Rivers when asked about the Olajuwon comparison. “I can see that and Patrick Ewing. We had a chance to practice at Georgetown the other day and Patrick stayed and watched and talked and so I think Joel has a little bit of all those guys. The footwork of Hakeem and (Kevin) McHale, the fadeaway, the shooting of Ewing, he puts a lot of work into his game, and that’s what makes him such a good player.”

The Sixers will need Embiid to continue to make these strides forward as they continue with this playoff run. He has been terrific in Round 1 with the Wizards, but he will have to continue to channel Olajuwon as the postseason goes on.

This post originally appeared on Sixers Wire! Follow us on Facebook!

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Wizards, Sixers compare Joel Embiid to NBA legend Hakeem Olajuwon

Both the Washington Wizards and the Philadelphia 76ers compare Joel Embiid to Hakeem Olajuwon.

Philadelphia 76ers star Joel Embiid has been compared to NBA legend Hakeem Olajuwon plenty of times in the past. The comparisons are clear as Embiid has patterned his game a bit after the Houston Rockets franchise legend with his impeccable footwork and his ability to dominate a game.

To begin the 2021 playoffs, Embiid is taking on one of Olajuwon’s former teammates in the form of Washington Wizards coach Scott Brooks. Brooks played for the Rockets for 2.5 seasons and he was able to see Olajuwon better than a lot of people.

Through three games in this Round 1 series, Embiid is averaging 29.3 points on 67.4% shooting and he’s also shooting 54.5% from deep and 87% from the foul line. That has Brooks reminiscing on his former teammate.

“I was fortunate enough to play with Olajuwon for almost three years, he’s doing things that I haven’t seen since then,” Brooks explained. “His seventh year in the league he’s been able to see it all now and he’s had some seen all the defenses, seen all the schemes, and he’s skilled. He’s a skilled, athletic, tough, high IQ basketball player.”

It is clear that Embiid is growing as a basketball player in terms of his IQ. He is quickly identifying double teams and he is doing an excellent job of being able to attack them correctly either as a scorer or as a passer and that is scary for the rest of the league.

“If you make a mistake, he capitalizes on it and their team does as well,” Brooks added. “Even if you don’t make a mistake, he was making shots over our guys. He was making shots over a double team last night, but like I said, I haven’t seen anybody that’s Olajuwon be able to dominate a game on both ends of the floor like he does.”

Sixers coach Doc Rivers has played with the likes of Patrick Ewing and he has battled Olajuwon in the past. He agrees with Brooks that there is some Olajuwon in Embiid’s game, but he sees more Ewing in his star big man.

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“I can see that,” said Rivers when asked about the Olajuwon comparison. “I can see that and Patrick Ewing. We had a chance to practice at Georgetown the other day and Patrick stayed and watched and talked and so I think Joel has a little bit of all those guys. The footwork of Hakeem and (Kevin) McHale, the fadeaway, the shooting of Ewing, he puts a lot of work into his game, and that’s what makes him such a good player.”

The Sixers will need Embiid to continue to make these strides forward as they continue with this playoff run. He has been terrific in Round 1 with the Wizards, but he will have to continue to channel Olajuwon as the postseason goes on.

This post originally appeared on Sixers Wire! Follow us on Facebook!

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Wizards coach Scott Brooks upset with lack of free throws vs. Sixers

Washington Wizards coach Scott Brooks was not happy with the officiating in Game 1.

The Philadelphia 76ers are a team that relies on Joel Embiid in terms of leading the way in terms of scoring and their offensive production overall. The big fella averaged 28.5 points and 10.6 rebounds while shooting 10.7 free throws per game. There are not a lot of big men who can stop him.

In Sunday’s Game 1 win over the Washington Wizards, he had 30 points and he shot 12-for-13 from the line. As a team, Philadelphia shot 33 free throws in Game 1 as they were able to use their aggressiveness and got to the rim and to the line the right way. This was above their season average of 25.5 free throws per game in the regular season.

The Wizards, on the other hand, shot only 15 free throws despite having Russell Westbrook constantly attacking the basket. The 15 free throws were way below Washington’s season average of 26.2 free throws per game, which led the league.

Wizards coach Scott Brooks was not happy with the officiating in Game 1 as the two teams prepare for Game 2 on Wednesday.

“We led the league in free throws,” Brooks said before the game. “Those are not subjective, those are stats. We shot 11 free throws under our average. They shot a bunch of free throws over their average. I think eight or nine so I’m not complaining what we did. We fouled, but I think we are an attack team, and we don’t take a lot of 3s. I’d like us to take more.”

With the Wizards led by Westbrook and Bradley Beal, they expect to be more aggressive in Game 2 as they look to get to the line more. That is what drives the Wizards on the offensive end of the floor and Philadelphia will have to be ready for that on Wednesday.

“We need to get to the free-throw with our attack, aggressive basketball players, and our style of play,” Brooks finished. “I just want everybody to do their job and everybody we’ll live what the results at the end of the game.”

The two teams tip off at 7 p.m. EDT from the Wells Fargo Center.

This post originally appeared on Sixers Wire! Follow us on Facebook!

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Scott Brooks praises Sixers defenders Ben Simmons, Matisse Thybulle

Washington Wizards coach Scott Brooks has praise for the Philadelphia 76ers defensive tandem of Ben Simmons and Matisse Thybulle.

The Philadelphia 76ers and the Washington Wizards will begin their Round 1 playoff series on Sunday and it is expected to be a hard-fought series. While the Sixers are the clear favorites, the Wizards do offer their own challenges for Philadelphia in this one.

The Wizards are led by a star backcourt of Russell Westbrook and Bradley Beal and they will have to be defended by Philadelphia’s defensive tandem of Ben Simmons and Matisse Thybulle. The two of them have been terrific on that end all season and they will have to be tasked with that challenge in this one.

Wizards coach Scott Brooks had a lot of praise for the two Philadelphia defenders and that is something else he will have to prepare for.

“They’re long and athletic, they’ve got good defensive skills, and we have to be able to manage that and it’ll be a great matchup,” said Brooks before Game 1 on Sunday. “There’s going to be a lot of great matchups, a lot of games within the game, but we’re prepared and we’re excited about things that we can do.”

Simmons has constantly taken on the opposition’s best scorer and held him in check. Elite scorers such as James Harden, Jayson Tatum, and others have had issues against the Defensive Player of the Year finalist and that will be a huge factor in this series.

Thybulle, on the other hand, is a menace in the passing lanes and he is a game wreaker supreme as he does a great job of getting his hands on passes and turning them into points on the other end for the Sixers.

“We’re gonna have to play well, but it’s a best of seven series for a reason,” said Brooks. “It’s not won by one game and we’re focused on each game. We got a lot of days off between games so the minutes can be extended and then the timeouts…so there’s plenty of time to rest. The matchups are going to be definitely great intrigue with a lot of the matchups that both teams can present to each other.”

The Sixers and the Wizards will tip off at 1 p.m. EDT from the Wells Fargo Center.

This post originally appeared on Sixers Wire! Follow us on Facebook!

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Scott Brooks says LaMelo Ball ‘could potentially be an All-Star pretty soon’

Ahead of Sunday’s meeting against the Hornets, Wizards coach Scott Brooks predicted All-Star games in the future for LaMelo Ball.

Count Washington Wizards head coach Scott Brooks as the latest opposing head coach to heap praise upon LaMelo Ball. Ahead of Sunday’s match-up against the Hornets, Brooks discussed Ball, who was making his fourth consecutive start of the season.

Like many coaches before him, Brooks had nothing but positive things to say about the rookie guard (h/t NBC Washington).

“He’s extremely impressive and his future is extremely bright. He could potentially be an All-Star pretty soon.

Extremely high-level passer and play-maker. Loves the game, you can just see it. Outstanding. He was raised the right way on the basketball court with how he plays. Even his brother [Lonzo], it’s the same way, they play to win.”

Earlier this season, Mavericks head coach Rick Carlisle pegged Ball as the favorite to win the Rookie of the Year. Bulls head coach Billy Donovan had similar praise, calling Ball a “really skilled player” before their meeting against Charlotte.

Even on-court opponents have taken notice of Ball. Following Friday’s game, Jazz guard Donovan Mitchell had plenty of praise for Ball after his career night.

Brooks, though, went on to not only offer praise of LaMelo but LaVar as well.

“You can criticize all you want about his dad and this and that. I said it a few years ago, I’m impressed in that I didn’t have a father growing up. It’s kind of nice when you have somebody. I know I wish I would have had a dad that was overly protective and involved. He’s done a great job of raising those two guys to play the right way.”

The comments Brooks is referencing in the past came in 2017 when he defended LaVar as he was first coming into the public scene.

“You know what, hey, people talk about his dad all the time. Hey, I mean, my father left me at 2. I would love to have my father around like [LaVar] is around and talk to him and pump me up with confidence. To me, that’s every son’s dream. And for some reason he gets criticized. No question, he’s a little ambitious at times [with] what he says. But he’s around his son. I have no problem with that. And maybe he could temper it a little bit, but I would’ve loved to have my father do that.”

While Brooks’ comments on LaVar may not be commonplace, his thoughts on LaMelo are becoming more and more the norm as the rookie establishes himself in the league.

Former Thunder guard Russell Westbrook, coach Scott Brooks back together

Russell Westbrook and Scott Brooks are back together with the Washington Wizards. The Athletic took a dive into their mutual respect.

Russell Westbrook, traded to the Washington Wizards, is reuniting with another key piece of the Oklahoma City Thunder of old.

Former head coach Scott Brooks, who became the interim Thunder coach in Westbrook’s rookie season and served in OKC until 2015, is the head coach of the Wizards.

Fred Katz at the Athletic took a dive into their relationship and how the two grew close based on the trust and respect Westbrook had for Brooks.

In that first season together, Brooks inserted the rookie into the starting lineup as a point guard. He was met with raised eyebrows and questions about the positioning and whether Westbrook was a true PG. He didn’t back down.

Brooks, who was a backup point guard in the NBA from 1988-1998, told Katz:

“I took pride in Russell’s performance. I took pride in all of our guys. But as a point guard — a crappy, backup point guard — I knew that role very well. I saw the game through those eyes very well. And I knew that he had this ability to be special. Like, special.”

Even with that belief, Brooks wasn’t afraid to go at Westbrook with criticism and critique. Former Thunder guard Anthony Morrow recalled this to Katz.

“I’ve seen Scott chew his ass out before. And every single time that happened, Russ responded in a positive way. Every time … I think he respects it. He respects Scott. And I think that just seeing the way that they move, it was different than how they move with other people on the team.”

Despite that, Morrow said he never saw Westbrook yell back or get angry at Brooks.

“He just went out and responded on the court,” Morrow said.

Westrook credited Brooks with some of his success and the player he has turned into.

“Scottie was a huge part of the reason why I’m able to do some of the things I’m able to do now,” he said.

Together, Brooks, Westbrook and the rest of the group — which included Kevin Durant, Serge Ibaka, and for some years, James Harden — went 338-207 overall over seven seasons, good for a .620 winning percentage, and made an NBA Finals appearance.

Now, the coach and the point guard — because yes, Westbrook is a point guard — are back together in Washington.

The full article can be read at The Athletic.

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