Thunder coach fired after 7 years

(OKLAHOMA CITY) - Team leaders for the Oklahoma City Thunder announced Wednesday that coach Scott Brooks was fired.

Brooks coached the Thunder for seven seasons starting in 2010-11. He led the team to the Western Conference Finals three out of four years.

The Thunder reached the NBA Finals in 2012, but failed to make the playoffs this past season as injuries limited them to a 45-37 finish.

"This is an extremely difficult decision on many levels," Thunder general manager Sam Presti said. "Scott helped establish the identity of the Thunder and has earned his rightful place in the history of our organization through his seven years as a valued leader and team member."

Still, Brooks was criticized by many for failing to win a title with Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook on his roster.

Durant was last year's MVP and is a four-time scoring champion, while Westbrook was this year's All-Star MVP and scoring champion. Presti backed Brooks throughout the season, but said Wednesday that being in position to win a title is important to him.

"It is very important to state that this decision is not a reflection of this past season, but rather an assessment of what we feel is necessary at this point in time in order to continually evolve, progress and sustain," he said. "We move forward with confidence in our foundation and embrace the persistence and responsibility that is required to construct an elite and enduring basketball organization capable of winning an NBA championship in Oklahoma City."

Brooks was 338-207 (.620) with the Thunder and was the 2009-10 NBA Coach of the Year.