An Oklahoma thank you to Scott Brooks shares email

Scott Brooks, with the Oklahoma City crowd in the background. (Photo by Sarah Phipps) Scotty Brooks was normal. That's the best thing you can say about someone prominent, and it's something we can say about Brooks. A former NBA player, a successful NBA head coach, who acts like the insurance agent who lives across the street, or the schoolteacher you go to church with, is a rare jewel. We don't have a lot of experience in Oklahoma City with professional coaches. Let's see. Thirteen games of P.J. Carlesimo, who was very accommodating but wasn't here long enough to give us a clue. Two years of Byron Scott, who was easy to work with but carried himself like the NBA star that he was. And Brooks. Everyman. Foreman Scotty resonated with Oklahomans. That's why I've gotten calls and emails today from fans saying they'll never support the Thunder again. I don't really believe them; I think they'll come around. It's a general misunderstanding of professional sports. The story of Scott Brooks is not that he was fired too early, but that he was given seven years as head coach. That's an eternity in the NBA. But I understand the angst over Brooks' dismissal. He's a good coach and a good man. Oklahomans can respect that. Can respect that a lot. Related to this story

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Reader David Paulson of Oklahoma City sent us a letter, hoping we could pass it along to Brooks. Here's my version of passing it along: An Oklahoma Thank You to Coach Brooks Coach Brooks, Scotty. Brooksy. I'm writing this letter today in hopes that it reaches you and you are able to receive a proper Oklahoma goodbye. You see, Coach Brooks, when you took over the helm of the Thunder in 2008, the team standing at just 1-12, we were still fairly new to being a "Big League City" and our optimism was high, even though, deep down, we knew it would take some time to get going. Together, you being a new head coach, the team, being in a new city, and us, the fans, rode out that 23-59 season and rolled up our sleeves and said, "Wait until next year."

It was 2009-2010 that really established the connection between the team and the city. I can still remember, like it was yesterday, how excited everyone was to get to 50 wins. Yet and still, the first-round playoff series against the mighty Lakers was the event that made you all part of the Oklahoma family. Fighters. Dreamers. Never say die. Accomplish what they say you can't. Get knocked down to the mat. Come back bigger and stronger next time. Refuse to let anything stand in the way of your work ethic and desire to put it all on the line for your neighbor. You and your team fought so hard during that series. We watched it. We lived it. And at the end, when there just wasn't quite enough left in the tank to overcome the obstacle, you nearly did. That tip-in by Gasol to end the series. Heartbreaking. Yet, as we Oklahomans usually do, we watched and listened as you spoke after the game of determination and heart, about the drawn-out standing ovation that the crowd gave for the effort. The Effort!? I'm not going to try and quote you, frankly because I don't remember for sure, but, in my mind, I remember you saying how that was an experience that you and your players would never forget. How that was motivation to fight harder next year and reward the city for their support. You made good on your word. Like a true Oklahoman usually does. I could go on and on about what established the connection, but, Coach Brooks, let me wrap this up so that you can utilize your time to find the next step on your career path. In Oklahoma, it just doesn't feel right to not say something when someone has helped you. In Oklahoma, we still care about things like manners, opening car doors for ladies, paying for the drink the person is holding in the line behind you at 7-11.