Shortly after the season ended, O'Brien was fired and replaced by the popular Maurice Cheeks, who played for the team from 1978 to 1989, and was the starting point guard for the 1983 NBA Champions.
Para a tempada seguinte, O'Brien foi despedido e substituído por Maurice Cheeks, quen xogara para o equipo entre 1978 e 1989, sendo a base titular do equipo campión de 1983.