How To Timeout, The Scott Brooks Way!

by Scipio Tex on May 30, 2025 3:48 PM CDT in Texas Longhorns and Other Basketball

HOW TO TIMEOUT, THE SCOTT BROOKS WAY!

Repeat a simple verb six or seven times in an emphatic tone. "DEFEND, DEFEND, DEFEND, DEFEND, DEFEND, DEFEND!" Or: "RUN, RUN, RUN, RUN, RUN, RUN!" Yeah, I just coached the shit out of you.
Hold unblemished white board and Sharpie stage props - useful gesturing tools for verb mantra
Make a qualitative observation with no actionable component. Examples: "We're playing a little fast, OK?" And: "We need good shots. Take shots that are good." Or: "Kevin, get free for a shot somewhere open. You are good at making basketball baskets."
"Serge, I want to rest you this 4th quarter in case we go to overtime."
Glance at Kendrick Perkins. Note inability to finish any shot within 5 feet of the basket, ineffectual 3.5 rebounds per game series average, Ginobili and Parker finishing at the rim with impunity, inability to extend on shooters, or recover to the paint on screens. Pause. Reflect. "Go get 'em Perk!"
Startle at seeing Nick Collison on Thunder bench. Nice guy. If only he had a role.
Puzzle at Popovich. He'd better get Tim Duncan more shots or he's going to have an Alpha Dog problem!
"Fellas, San Antonio is cutting, driving, and passing on offense with the odd intent of getting any open man an uncontested shot. Gimmicks. When they get back to isolations and two man games, we'll have 'em right where we want 'em."
"Alright! Man up! And run through three screens 20 feet from the basket, big men!" Turns to Royal Ivey: "Zone principles are illegal, right? No!? Huh. I'm going to have to reflect on that."
"Guys, they've proven they can't guard Kevin Durant. So, Kendrick, you stand down on the block pretending you're not afraid of the ball; Fisher - you do veteran things; Serge, you stand 18 feet from the basket waiting for a jump shot since you're 6-9, built like Adonis, and can jump through the ceiling, and I didn't ask you to learn how to drop-step in the offseason; Sefolosha, guard someone mentally even though we're on offense; Westbrook, I'll have everyone stare at you while standing perfectly still as the shot clock winds down and you take three Spurs off of the dribble. Ready? Let's do this!"

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Read More: Kendrick Perkins (C - OKC), Royal Ivey (G - OKC), Nick Collison (F - OKC), Tim Duncan (F - SAN), Kevin Durant (F - OKC), Texas Longhorns, San Antonio Spurs, Oklahoma City Thunder

Comments

Got my first look at the Spurs last night. If that’s the usual offering, have to think they’re going to hang a banner.

Loved Pop going off on Parker with a 15 point lead. Watching Parker run Westbrook off 17 pinball picks over and over while Perk glowered at his feet was alsome.

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by Sailor Ripley on May 30, 2025 3:59 PM CDT reply actions

Parker and Pop

Great thing is, Popovich has no problem going off on him, and yet Parker can defend his position without it turning into Wade/Spoelstra. There is real-life mutual respect there.

by Horncasting on May 30, 2025 4:34 PM CDT up reply actions

That includes his star players (Tim, Tony, Manu). Also former Stars Robinson, Elliot, Avery, Bowen and the Coyote.
The Spurs as an organization have always looked to sign players that are “over themselves” But always with the yelling comes coaching, encouagement and the ability to really show that he cares for his players. IMO he is what a leader should be.

"I drank what?" ~ Socrates

by Ese-De-SA on May 30, 2025 5:22 PM CDT up reply actions

But to me the big deal

Is that players can argue back and he actually listens and considers what they are saying, and many times adjourning player is right. He’s over himself as much as the players they keep.

by Horncasting on May 30, 2025 6:30 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions

I think Pop has a lot of pride

and very little professional ego. That’s a rare pairing.

by Scipio Tex on May 30, 2025 6:34 PM CDT up reply actions

I'm reasonably sure

that someone cloned Larry Bird sometime around 1995. As execs and coaches they’re remarkably similar.

by nordberg on May 30, 2025 11:14 PM CDT up reply actions

If they were the Austin Thunder

I would have thrown my laptop out of the window after reading this.

by TheElusiveShadow on May 30, 2025 4:03 PM CDT reply actions

San Antonio: A grown up coaching grown ups.

what a concept.

by srr50 on May 30, 2025 4:19 PM CDT reply actions 2 recs

Interesting times ahead for KD

A lot of us love him not only for being a stallion on the court and for repping Texas at every opportunity, but for showing a great, humble demeanor and a ton of class compared to so many other NBA superstars.

He’s been very supportive of Westbrook when the media were doing their dead-level best to fan the flames of a controversy, and throughout the regular season and much of the playoffs the two of them found a very productive mix of touches and shots to make the Thunder offense go. But when you hit a series like this and it’s clear that Westbrook is being guarded VERY successfully and Durant can’t be, does KD have it in him to assert dominance and take over the ball for the good of the team? And if Brooks continues to get pantsed by Pop and something similar happens again in the 2013 Playoffs, does KD get the long knives ready behind the scenes and try to force a coaching change?

by nobis60 on May 30, 2025 4:27 PM CDT reply actions

Yup.

I do remember a time last year during a game where he was clearly way the fuck put out. Outwardly clear about this.

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by Sailor Ripley on May 30, 2025 5:13 PM CDT up reply actions

Scipio - clearly you missed one of Brooks more brilliant coaching strategies

Have you not seen how the Thunder guards let the ball roll as far up the court as possible after every made shot and inbounds? Other teams have done that when trailing at the end of games, but Brooks has his guys doing it from the opening tip. Next level stuff here.

Durant, Westbrook and Harden each had at least 27 points, with 2 of them shooting exceptionally well from the floor (59% and 77%) and the Spurs still won by almost double digits. Not a good sign for the Thunder.

by Horncasting on May 30, 2025 4:46 PM CDT reply actions

I know you don't like Brooks, and I get it

But I think he’s a good coach in the NBA. Not the ultimate like Pop or Jackson, but most of NBA coaching is about getting guys to buy in, play hard and get along with each other and he does that better than most. Of course, to win a title you probably need better than that and I don’t see him becoming better than he is. I’d be fine with him coaching my team over 20 or so of the current coaches in the league, but it’s bad when he runs up against a similarly or more talented team like the Spurs and gets his pants pulled down.

I hope to see no Fisher and no Perkins in game 3 in winning time. He seems to have learned the no Perk lesson from game 1 to game 2, so I’m hopeful he makes another adjustment for game 3.

SA just might be so good nobody is beating them this year though, and tip your hat to them for that.

OKC, even if they stall out at the Conference finals again has made strides this year imo. Up to a 2 seed and taking out the Lakers and Mavs in 9 games was the most impressive accomplishment of any of the semi-finalists so far, though the spurs are pretty clearly better and it’s not their fault they drew Utah and a decimated Clippers team.

by Wulaw Horn on May 30, 2025 5:18 PM CDT reply actions

Fair assessment

I actually think Brooks was the perfect coach for the Young Thunder. Encouraging, all about effort, stresses the right things, integrity. Great building blocks. However, I don’t think he has a developmental big picture for the pieces he has and his in-game tactics are very conventional. I think they’re outgrowing him.

by Scipio Tex on May 30, 2025 6:23 PM CDT up reply actions

we agree completely I think

I think the SImmons of the world go overboard in calling him Vinnie Del Negro. I think Brooks has been a great coach for this team. He has some very real strengths. That does not mean he should coach them going forward. I’d bring in Phil Jackson if I could- I think that guy might be the difference in swinging a title or 2. Thing is, most cases you can’t say that, and I’d say Brooks is good enough in most instances. Not here.

by Wulaw Horn on May 31, 2025 11:14 AM CDT up reply actions

One more thing I'd add for NBA coaches

as an essential ingredient. Play your best lineups!
He’s somewhat limited in options because Perkins is terrible for this series and his perimeter depth isn’t outstanding, but Ibaka, Sefolosha, Collins, and even Nazh are all solid options for this team that should be seeing more minutes than Fish or Perkins.

by Nickel Rover on May 31, 2025 8:40 AM CDT up reply actions

I honestly believe that Nazr isn't playing because they think Pop will go to hack-a-Nazr

On the radio here in SA prior to game one they were talking about which Thunder player would be the best option this series and he was the consensus pick.

That might also be why Ivey hasn’t played at all.

by Horncasting on May 31, 2025 10:56 AM CDT up reply actions

hack

is the operative word here. A shooter has to be an excellent field goal shooter, and a poor free throw shooter, for that strategy to make a lick of mathematical sense. That this strategy should be elevated to such a level that you attempt to thwart opponents from utilizing it…I don’t think Brooks is that stupid.

by Nickel Rover on May 31, 2025 11:13 AM CDT up reply actions

It also makes sense

when you aren’t down by 18. Nellie did it against Bowen back in the day, and it worked to some extent. That’s really where Popp learned it. Bowen’s response in the offseason was to shoot FT’s until his palms were blistered and he became better at it. End of problem.

Royale isn’t that bad. I remember him making both ends of a one and one in SA against Michigan State that were pretty big.

by boorad on May 31, 2025 12:03 PM CDT up reply actions

Funny stuff, but Brooks a small part of the problem

I think this boils down to bad luck, and running into a team that’s simply hotter than hell and has somehow managed to turn back the sands of time. The Thunder’s interior defense has somehow been completely neutralized. Their zone is getting eaten alive and they lack the personnel matchups to guard effectively in man.

KD needs to assert himself, and Brooks needs to encourage him to do so. But overall, I think Brooks has done a great job with this team.

by TexanNick on May 31, 2025 1:09 PM CDT up reply actions

The Thunder are getting a clinic on TEAM basketball this year.

I love my Spurs, and would love to see them hang another NBA championship at the AT&T Center. I also am a huge KD fan, and root for him whenever he’s not playing the Spurs. That said, I hope the Spurs close it out in 5. And Scipio, your article on Scott Brooks is hilariously accurate. Pop is the Spurs secret weapon!

by K'villehorn on May 30, 2025 6:16 PM CDT reply actions

I think the NBA is getting a clinic

With similar principles from the Maverick run last year, at least with respect to how to win riding match-ups and role players and not consenting to a style of play employed by the rest of the league.

by Scipio Tex on May 30, 2025 6:33 PM CDT up reply actions

Bench

We are also seeing the value of investing in a strong bench over front line star power.

Before you criticize someone, walk a mile in their shoes. If they get mad, you're a mile away AND you have their shoes.

by Caradoc on May 31, 2025 9:09 AM CDT up reply actions

Strong and versatile

by Horncasting on May 31, 2025 10:57 AM CDT up reply actions

I actually disagree

You can’t really win championships without stars. What I would emphasize from my bench is not having tons of good players, but simply avoiding having terrible players.

The Spurs are demonstrating that a strong system in which everyone has a role elevates the bench. You’ll notice that Jackson and Diaw have performed horribly on other teams.

by Nickel Rover on May 31, 2025 11:15 AM CDT up reply actions

Funny. That was one of the most exasperating games I’ve watched in awhile.

Perkins is absolutely killing them on both ends of the floor. I’m not sure if Brooks is aware that NBA coaches are allowed to alter their starting line-ups between games and after the half.

Also, if Fisher is just going to stand in the corner and take jumpers, why not play Cook instead? San Antonio can hide a big man on Fisher, but Cook could punish them by making them run around screens.

Eric Maynor would have been huge in this series.

Follow @JonathanTjarks

by tjarks on May 30, 2025 6:18 PM CDT reply actions

When you agree with me on hoops...

I feel a lot more validated in my opinion. So exasperating to watch. Eric Maynor would have been helpful, but it’s like Brooks has this “We’re gonna do what we do” attitude that’s so pervasive in the NBA. Popovich is committed to a system, but within it, he’s a tinkering son of a gun.

by Scipio Tex on May 30, 2025 6:31 PM CDT up reply actions

Agree with you on Fisher

Can’t they keep Sefolosha in the game to hit those open Fisher 3s, since he can also…you know….play defense?

by Amen Amachigh on May 30, 2025 10:00 PM CDT up reply actions

stats guys, conventional guys, schematic guys

Everyone universally agrees: Fisher and Perkins are killing the Thunder.

by Nickel Rover on May 31, 2025 8:38 AM CDT up reply actions

Fisher hitting those 3's in game one was the best thing to happen to the Spurs

and even then, his lack of defensive skills made it a wash at best. Fool’s gold at its finest and Scotty took the bait.

by boorad on May 31, 2025 12:06 PM CDT up reply actions

I have really enjoyed this series

and this comment thread really resonates with me. If I were running the Thunder, I would definitely be doing one of two things. Either replacing Brooks, or trying to supplement his skills with an Xs and Os assistant. I agree with the comments that Brooks does a lot of his job well, getting the players to buy in, etc. The situation reminds me of the Celtics. I think Brooks is fine in the Doc Rivers role, they just need a Tom Thibodeau quality assistant. I realize those are hard to find, but I think the for the Celtics he was the difference between a conference finals team and a championship team.

If you are going to replace Brooks, it would be difficult to find somebody better but not impossible. If Jerry Sloan is seriously considering Charlotte, he would jump at the chance to coach OKC. I think either of the Van Gundys would also be an upgrade, too.

For OKC, in my opinion, this is the final piece to the puzzle. They could be the next dynasty, but they have to figure it out.

by DeepEddy on May 30, 2025 8:43 PM CDT reply actions

sloan seems like a bad fit there

I do like either of the Van Gundy’s though.

by Wulaw Horn on May 31, 2025 11:17 AM CDT up reply actions

Agree to an extent

They also need a low post scoring option in a huge way. Get him one and then see how he does. It’ll also separate the wheat from the chaff for Westbrook as the future PG of this team. If he continues to play the way he does with a legit big man who can get his shot off the block, dive for the basket and finish, defend and rebound, then he isn’t the long term answer at the point. This may sound radical as hell, but I’d trade him straight up for Howard and any halfway decent PG right now if I were Presti. They’ve also still got the guy whose name I don’t remember at backup who did a good job at the poinr guard last year, but messed his knee up.

by boorad on May 31, 2025 12:14 PM CDT up reply actions

Oh, and great blog!

by boorad on May 31, 2025 12:15 PM CDT up reply actions

Every GM

in the NBA would trade Westbrook for Howard and not even worry about getting a PG back, unless Howard’s back was known to be ruined.

I’m not sure the Thunder need a major low-post threat. Plenty of teams have won without one, Duncan isn’t consistently a low-post threat, the Spurs get their high-percentage looks through ball-movement and screens.

by Nickel Rover on May 31, 2025 1:53 PM CDT up reply actions

Yes...

I love Westbrook but saying that you’d trade him straight up for Dwight Howard is not radical. Everyone makes that move.

I also agree that thhey don’t need a low post threat. It wouldn’t hurt of course, but it’s not a necessity. What they need is for Sefolosha to play like he did last night or (more likely) get someone else who can. I’ve long been a proponent of them going after my man Brandon Rush. He’d help them space the floor on offense, and he’s a great on ball defender.

by hiphopopotamus on Jun 1, 2025 7:50 AM CDT up reply actions