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5 reasons Washington Wizards should hire Scott Brooks

By John Buhler

Jan 25, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder head coach Scott Brooks reacts against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Quicken Loans Arena. Cleveland won 108-98. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 25, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder head coach Scott Brooks reacts against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Quicken Loans Arena. Cleveland won 108-98. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 20, 2016; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Wizards guard John Wall (2) reacts to a shot by guard Bradley Beal (not pictured) during the second half against the Miami Heat at Verizon Center. Washington Wizards defeated Miami Heat 106-87. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 20, 2016; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Wizards guard John Wall (2) reacts to a shot by guard Bradley Beal (not pictured) during the second half against the Miami Heat at Verizon Center. Washington Wizards defeated Miami Heat 106-87. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports /

2. Keeps Washington in the playoff mix

While the Wizards could very well blow this all up and build strictly around Wall, it is probably in the franchise’s best interest to continue to fight in the East and grow in the NBA Playoffs. Brooks is the man that can keep Washington in the playoff mix in the East.

The two years that Brooks didn’t have the Thunder in the Western Conference Playoffs were in his first year before Durant, Westbrook, James Harden, and Serge Ibaka became stars in this league and last season when Durant missed roughly three-quarters of the 2015-16 campaign with foot complications stemming from a Jones fracture in his foot suffered in the off-season.

Right away, Brooks can ensure that the Wizards will play at worst .500 basketball. While 2015-16 was different, most years that is good enough to get six, seven, or eight seeds in the East. Washington cannot afford to fall back in the East and miss the NBA Playoffs in consecutive seasons.

With Wall at point guard, Beal hopefully back at shooting guard, and the venerable Marcin Gortat at power forward, that should be good enough to keep the Wizards in the 2017 Eastern Conference Playoff mix. Brooks can help re-direct this lost team in the long-term, while simultaneously keeping them playoff caliber in the process for the short-term.

Next: 1. Outstanding player development.

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