Thunder's Brooks voted NBA coach of the year

NEW YORK - Scott Brooks was named NBA coach of the year by United States and Canadian sports writers and broadcasters on Wednesday after guiding the Oklahoma City Thunder to their first playoff berth.

Oklahoma City Thunder head coach Scott Brooks (L) and guard Kevin Durant  (35) watch from the bench as a San Antonio Spurs player shoots free throws  in the first half during their NBA basketball game in Oklahoma City,  Oklahoma, March 22, 2010.[Photo/Agencies]

Brooks received 71 first place votes and 480 points, ahead of Milwaukee's Scott Skiles, who attracted 313 points. Portland's Nate McMillan finished third in voting.

In his first full season in charge, Brooks took the Thunder to a 50-32 record this season, an NBA-best 27-game turnaround after the previous season's 23-59 record.

The Thunder trail the Los Angeles Lakers 2-0 in their Western conference quarter-final playoff series.