Scott Brooks has accepted the Washington Wizards' head-coaching job, and you know what's coming next. For weeks Brooks has been perceived as Kevin Durant bait, the ex-coach with the ear of the soon-to-be free-agent star, the connection that could make a difference in a high-stakes courtship. He's the Durant whisperer, the asset that, coupled with a young roster and a familiar zip code, could lure Durant.
It's nonsense, of course, a narrative that never made much sense. Durant isn't coming to Washington. It has nothing to do with Brooks, who Durant respects and has even missed at various points this season. For all of Brooks' flaws, Durant knew this: He held everyone accountable, and his track record of player development defined him. Durant and Russell Westbrook became MVP-caliber players under Brooks, while the likes of James Harden, Serge Ibaka and Reggie Jackson thrived, too.
Durant isn't bound for Washington, friends say, because … it's Washington, it's home, and, like so many athletes, Durant isn't all that keen on returning to play in the city in which he grew up. Friends, family – some real, some claiming to be – all come out of the woodwork in those situations, and Durant, who has tightened his inner circle considerably in recent years, isn't interested in dealing with them. His lone trip to D.C. this season was stressful, league sources told The Vertical, reinforcing to friends that wherever Durant signs next summer, Washington won't be it.
Why Wizards fans shouldn't count on Scott Brooks to lure Kevin Durant
It's nonsense, of course, a narrative that never made much sense. Durant isn't coming to Washington. It has nothing to do with Brooks, who Durant respects and has even missed at various points this season. For all of Brooks' flaws, Durant knew this: He held everyone accountable, and his track record of player development defined him. Durant and Russell Westbrook became MVP-caliber players under Brooks, while the likes of James Harden, Serge Ibaka and Reggie Jackson thrived, too.
Durant isn't bound for Washington, friends say, because … it's Washington, it's home, and, like so many athletes, Durant isn't all that keen on returning to play in the city in which he grew up. Friends, family – some real, some claiming to be – all come out of the woodwork in those situations, and Durant, who has tightened his inner circle considerably in recent years, isn't interested in dealing with them. His lone trip to D.C. this season was stressful, league sources told The Vertical, reinforcing to friends that wherever Durant signs next summer, Washington won't be it.
Why Wizards fans shouldn't count on Scott Brooks to lure Kevin Durant
