Ron Adams gone; Mo Cheeks staying

[seamus batkill]

Ron Adams, the assistant coach who is credited with creating our defensive scheme, is leaving to be a part of the Bulls staff.

Mo Cheeks was rumored to be heading there but he's staying the Thunder.

Even the players have acknowledged during the year that Adams is important to the defense. It'll be interesting to see if there's continuity and how Scott Brooks reacts. Big test for Brooks.

[PublicEnemy]

damn...vultures

[okcnba]

That sucks. At the end of the day all it really makes me do is worry about losing Presti. PAY UP BENNETT!

[RicanThunder]

Career assistant coaches are always shuffling. Hopefully the defense wasn't all because of an assistant coach, and was instead because of the leadership of guys like Durant, Green, and Sefolosha who made it a priority to play defense.

[KDisNotNice]

http://www.newsok.com/thunder-notebook-ron-adams-leaving-maurice-cheeks-staying/article/3471789?custom_click=pod_headline_sports


Thunder notebook: Ron Adams leaving; Maurice Cheeks staying
By Darnell Mayberry, Staff Writer, dmayberry@opubco.com
Published: June 27, 2010

After weeks of speculation, the Oklahoma City Thunder's coaching staff will indeed be affected by the hiring of Tom Thibodeau as Chicago's newest head coach. Ron Adams, the man many have credited for being instrumental in building up the Thunder's defense, will join Thibodeau's staff with the Bulls.

Adams, who resides in Chicago, came to Oklahoma City from the Bulls midway through the 2008-09 season. It's unclear if Oklahoma City will replace Adams, who was the lead assistant to Scott Brooks. Thunder general manager Sam Presti and Brooks are expected to make a joint decision on a replacement over the next several weeks.
The Thunder will not, however, lose Maurice Cheeks to the Bulls as well. Cheeks, who arrived last summer, for awhile was rumored to be a candidate for both the head coaching job and a possibility for Thibodeau's staff. Thibodeau even mentioned Cheeks by name in his introductory press conference last week. But Cheeks will remain with the Thunder for the 2010-11 season.

[KD 4 MVP]

Sucks to lose Ron but is nice to hear Mo is staying because I really like having his expeience as a player and coach and he can really help Russ to take that next step to be an All-Star.

[slimjimzv]

This is horrible news. I was really hoping Ron would be around at least one more season to get teach Aldrich how to fit into the team's defensive scheme. Ron (and Thabo) created the defensive culture and I really, really hope he was able to pass along enough information to the rest of the coaches that they can keep improving the team's defense.

[StormFan93]

Assistant coaches move around so much that I really don't believe the impact will be huge. Knowing Scott Brooks, I'd think that he would go out and get another defensive-minded assistant in Adams' mold. It's disappointing to see him go, but I think we'll manage.

[Tydude]

hopefully they will found a better Asst. Coach then Adams that can help the team

[AD]

I'm sure Head Coaches keep a running list of assistant coaches they like or would like to have on their staff. Presti probably has a list as well. As a matter of fact, Presti probably has a list for everything from assistant GM to janitorial services.

[random]

Just no PJ Carlesimo... or Isiah for that matter

[Clangus]

If its true that Ron was the main guy behind our defensiver schemes then its bad that he's gone.

[AllNationalMediaArePinHeads]

It is bad news, don't down play this ..
1. He WAS the reason behind defense turn around
2. Will we pay to keep good coaches?
3. If he felt we were truly building somethig special, and making a run to Championship, would he not stay and see thru ??

He is from Chicago, so hopefully it was as simple as being back with family ...

[Tydude]

if he goes back to chicago and they don't win a title and we do he will make a bad mistake

[ZeusExMachina]

Losing Adams is rough; losing Adams and Cheeks would have been devastating. I agree that this will be a test for Coach Brooks and Sam Presti, but not one that is impossible to overcome.

There are other defensive-minded coaches in the game if they should choose to go that route. Adams is supposed to be close to Tom Thibodeau, and he is from Chicago, so this does not entirely surprise me. I am glad he was here and helped this team establish a defensive identity. I wish him well in his new job. However, I am extremely relieved that we did not lose Mo Cheeks, as well.

I am not about to discount Mo Cheeks' impact on the evolution of Russell Westbrook's game. Westbrook is an all-star kind of player, and needed someone to help him polish up his pure pg game. We all got to see a glimpse of what Westbrook has the potential to be on a consistent basis in the playoffs. I would have hated to see Cheeks leave and stall that evolution. Maybe we could have found another mentor for Westbrook, but one with Cheeks' pedigree is not common. This is a 4-time all-star, and one known for his defense as a player. I cannot imagine finding a better teacher for Westbrook, and our entire corp of guards.

I have faith in Presti & Coach Brooks to find another coach who will be a great compliment, and asset to this organization. I am actually excited to see who they hire.

[slimjimzv]

if he goes back to chicago and they don't win a title and we do he will make a bad mistake

Not necessarily. He very well could become the next man in line in Chicago. He has a long history there and at least his recent history is extremely impressive. For all we know he has family still in the Chicago area. Many coaches leave their kids and wives at home while they work for an out-of-state team. We also don't know what he's getting paid compared to OKC. I doubt this decision was based in any way on what team he thought would win a championship.

[SMOKELAHOMA]

chill guys, sure Adams came up with the schemes but it was up to the PLAYERS to execute those schemes. give the actual players some credit yall.