Warren2ThaG Posted August 15, 2009 Report Share Posted August 15, 2009 http://image.examiner.com/images/blog/wysiwyg/image/maurice_cheeks.jpgThunder hire Maurice Cheeks as assistant coach"If indeed a village is what it takes to raise a child, the Oklahoma City Thunder on Friday continued fortifying its community surrounding Russell Westbrook. The Thunder completed its assistant coaching staff by hiring former Portland and Philadelphia head coach Maurice Cheeks, a 15-year NBA point guard and four-time All-Star. Oklahoma City also brought in Rex Kalamian, who most recently served as an assistant in Sacramento and has had stints with Minnesota, Denver and the Los Angeles Clippers.But it's Cheeks, a 1983 NBA champion with the 76ers, who has the pedigree to help Westbrook reach his full potential.Cheeks played alongside renowned guards-turned-coaches Henry Bibby, Lionel Hollins and Al Skinner. He also played with World B. Free, Mark Jackson and Kenny Anderson and guided the careers of Allen Iverson, Andre Miller, Damon Stoudamire and Nick Van Exel as a head coach and Scott Skiles, Dana Barros and Eric Snow as an assistant."We are thrilled to add Maurice and Rex to our coaching staff," said Thunder coach Scott Brooks, who teamed with Cheeks in 1988-89 in Philadelphia. "They bring a wealth of NBA experience and solid work ethic that will help our players' continued development."The Thunder has committed to Westbrook, last year's fourth overall pick, as its lead guard of the future and has gone to great lengths this summer to support him in that role. Oklahoma City passed on Spanish point guard sensation Ricky Rubio in the June draft in favor of shooting guard James Harden, then signed 36-year-old veteran point guard Kevin Ollie on Aug. 1 largely to serve as a mentor to Westbrook."---http://newsok.com/oklahoma-city-thunder-hire-maurice-cheeks-as-assistant-coach/article/3393073?custom_click=lead_story_title Not too bad. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xx. Posted August 15, 2009 Report Share Posted August 15, 2009 Great hire, the more good coaches they have for this young squad will show them more discipline and more ways to win, nice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Goods Posted August 15, 2009 Report Share Posted August 15, 2009 Good move by the Thunder, Maurice Cheeks can definitely improve the coaching staff. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flight Posted August 15, 2009 Report Share Posted August 15, 2009 Mo is the man. Portland shouldn't have let him go, but Nate the great has done well so I'm over it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smitty Posted August 15, 2009 Report Share Posted August 15, 2009 Glad to see he's still finding work. I wasn't a fan of his coaching but he was always one of classiest dudes in the NBA. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
His Greatness Posted August 15, 2009 Report Share Posted August 15, 2009 This is the perfect situation for him. He doesn't have the tact to ever be a competent head coach, but as an assistant he'd be wonderful. Especially on a such a young team where his mentoring and motivation skills would be invaluable. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moeroadkill Posted August 16, 2009 Report Share Posted August 16, 2009 defensive coach..., yeah? good move just is case if things dont go to plan with scott. but i cant see that happening Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Diesel Posted August 17, 2009 Report Share Posted August 17, 2009 Yeah I agree with Mason, Maurice is a great coach for a young up and coming team, but he just doesn't have what it takes to get to the next level beyond that. He isn't a real good X's and O's kind of guy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Multi-Billionaire Posted August 18, 2009 Report Share Posted August 18, 2009 He has to have a voice representing him, someone in more authority like the head coach. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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