Russell Westbrook knows Scott Brooks better than most, and it definitely looks like he wants Brooks to continue as the Washington Wizards coach.

After the Wizards clinched one of the top two playing spots in the Eastern Conference on Sunday, Westbrook defended Brooks.

“You have to give credit to our coach, number one,” said Westbrook, by Fred Katz of The Athletic. “Behind the scenes Scottie is a hell of a trainer. … All the outside noise doesn’t really matter because we know how important it is, and I know how important it is to me and to the team.

The Wizards finished the regular season strong, winning 17 of their last 23 games. But many would argue that they were successful not because of Brooks, who is often criticized for his rotations and game plan, but rather in spite of himself.

Brooks has been chased by rumors in the hot seat all season and is also in the final year of his contract with the Wizards. But Westbrook is now on his second stint under Brooks, having spent the first seven seasons of his career with him as a coach at Oklahoma City. The fact that Westbrook is still so staunch in his support for Brooks has to mean something.