On Wednesday night, the Washington Wizards visited the Oklahoma City Thunder for the first time this season with their head coach, Scott Brooks, making his first appearance at Chesapeake Energy Arena after being at the helm of the franchise for seven seasons.
Asked how he felt going back to the place he considered home for many years, the veteran bench tactician made it clear that he has great respect for the players he coached before. He also acknowledged the team's general manager, Sam Presti, and said he has no hard feelings towards him despite getting sacked after the 2014-2015 season.
“We had a great run. Unfortunately it ended for me, but that's the business we're in. I have a lot of respect for the organization. I have a tremendous amount of respect for the players that I coached.”
“I appreciate the opportunity (Presti) gave me. There's no hard feelings. It's always a difficult decision for him to make and for me to handle. But you always have a choice on everything, to be better from it or be bitter and frustrated. I was disappointed, but I should have been. But that's part of it.”
Presti also had good words to say about the Thunder's former head coach and also discussed the contributions he has given to the franchise.
“When you look at the history of the Oklahoma City Thunder, Scott holds a special place, We all have great appreciation and respect for his contributions as the head coach of the Thunder during his tenure here. I know everyone is looking forward to seeing him back on the sidelines in The Peake.”
Brooks and the Thunder are on different paths now with the Thunder beginning the post-Kevin Durant era and the Wizards struggling to find their groove as they adjust to the system of Brooks.
Despite ending his tenure in Oklahoma City in the manner he did not plan, it's still a rare occasion for both parties to still be in good terms and have nothing but praises for each other. It only goes to show that they handled the situation professionally and with a lot of respect.
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