During the offseason, we will run a series called Forgotten Wolves Friday. A former Minnesota player will be highlighted who may have become more and more forgotten as the years have gone by since their playing career ended. This is especially true for the younger generation that wasn't around to see these guys play.
Today’s Forgotten Wolves Friday is Scott Brooks. While many NBA fans know of Brooks from his time on the sidelines, less remember him for his playing career with the Timberwolves.
Scott Brooks was a member of the Timberwolves for two seasons
Born on July 31, 1965, Brooks spent his third and fourth seasons as a player with Minnesota. The Timberwolves acquired him in a trade with the 76ers for a 1990 second-round pick. Brooks would be rostered by the Wolves in the 1990-91 and 1991-92 seasons.
In both years with the team, Brooks would serve as the backup point guard playing behind Pooh Richardson. Standing at 5-foot-11, Brooks would appear in 162 of a possible 164 contests with Minnesota.
His most prolific scoring game with the team came on March 15, 1992, against the Suns, when he finished with 21 points. Other highs while with the franchise include 10 assists (on two occasions), five rebounds, five steals, and two blocks (the only time in his 10-year career that he had multiple blocks in a game).
Altogether, Brooks played 12.7 minutes per outing while donning a Timberwolves jersey. In that time, he posted averages of 5.2 points, 1.1 rebounds, and 2.7 assists. Brooks shot 43.8% from the field, 34.2% from beyond the arc, and 83.0% from the free-throw line.
In the 1992 offseason, Brooks was dealt to the Rockets for a 1995 second round pick.
Won a ring and later became a head coach
Brooks would win a championship with the team that the Wolves dealt him to in the Rockets, in 1994. His final playing season came in 1997-98 with the Cavaliers. During his career, he also played for the Mavericks and Knicks.
After his playing career came to a conclusion, Brooks got into coaching. He would become the head coach for the Thunder and the Wizards. Brooks was the head coach for many notable players, including Kevin Durant, James Harden, Russell Westbrook, John Wall, and Bradley Beal. He owns a career head coaching record of 521-414 and reached the NBA finals with OKC in 2012.