Of course, this mutual compromise and tolerance have a reason—Brooks is great at developing players. In 2008, when he became the Thunder Team's head coach, Durant, Harden, Ibaka, the rookie Adams who's gradually showcasing talent this year, and the departed Westbrook, were all nurtured by him single-handedly.
This is no easy feat. With teams like the Timberwolves, Kings, and other teams as benchmarks, the Thunder Team's star players are quite appreciative of Brooks's nurturing efforts. If not for this camaraderie, Brooks would have been ousted after the 2012 Western Conference Finals reversal.
After discussion led by Ibaka, the Thunder Team players decided to change their defensive strategy, rely more on individual skills, and implement man-to-man defense.
The result was effective, catching the Lakers off guard. Although the Thunder Team only scored 25 points in the first quarter, they held the Lakers to 22 points, securing a 3-point lead!
