The Rockets‘ pool of candidates to replace Mike D’Antoni as the team’s new head coach still consists of seven names for now, writes Jonathan Feigen of The Houston Chronicle. According to Feigen, the club hasn’t ruled out expanding the interview process beyond those seven candidates, but has been “pleased” with its meetings so far.
Houston met last week with current assistant coaches Stephen Silas (Mavericks), David Vanterpool (Timberwolves), and Wes Unseld Jr. (Nuggets), as well as former Nets head coach Kenny Atkinson.
According to Feigen, team officials have since met with Rockets player development coach John Lucas as well, and Tyronn Lue‘s interview is scheduled to happen today. Jeff Van Gundy is also expected to interview with Houston now that his broadcasting duties for ABC and ESPN have come to an end for the season.
It’s not clear yet whether the Rockets will be prepared to make a decision on their new head coach after completing their meetings with Lue and Van Gundy. As Feigen writes, it’s possible the team will want to narrow down the field and bring back finalists for follow-up sessions, but team owner Tilman Fertitta has been part of the interview process already, so it’s not as if contenders for the position still need to meet with him.
The Rockets are one of five NBA teams still seeking a new head coach, along with the Pelicans, Pacers, Thunder, and Clippers.
I really doubt it matters because the Rockets are not going to change as long as Harden is there.
I think things would change with JVG. That’s why he’s probably my top pick for replacing D’Antoni. There’s a good chance Harden wouldn’t want to play for JVG anyways and would force the Rockets into a trade. If the return was good, I’d honestly probably be okay with it at this point. Their take on small ball just didn’t work.
That being said, we were a coach stepping in and saying “stop shooting the 3 and take it to the rack!” away from going to the finals in ‘18. There’s a good chance that’s the closest we will ever get with James Harden on the team, though, but if that situation somehow transpired again I feel like a different coach could have made all the difference.
Rockets’ take on small ball worked beautifully. It was the roster construction and defense that didn’t work. Chris Paul and Harden together was a really bad choice, as was letting Capela leave. Even if you’re going to go small ball you still need a legit center on the bench. You can’t build an entire roster devoid of inside defense.
And speaking of defense, Rockets probably have 3 rings by now if they just had solid defense.
Any team could have 3 rings right now if they became radically better and different.
Every team except for the Sacramento Kings. They could be radically different and radically better and still not have three rings. The Kings and I would say the Wizards. It’s not happening. It’s not happening now it’s not happening soonish is not happening later. Okay the Hornets too.
Not crazy about any of the choices to this point but the other teams do not look in a big rush. Really do not want Van Gundy. I think Silas interviewed before they hired D”Antoni. But never liked Van Gundy with ESPN even but do admire knowledgeable. But feel Rockets may not reach the top till maybe after a Harden. But would love to see something next year or such when new season starts.
Ty Lue is the best in the list
I don’t trust them to hire him
Rockets new coach. Makes statement !!!!
link to youtu.be
Please hire JVG! Can’t take him anymore on ESPN/ABC.
Rockets need to move Westbrook. It’s their only path to real potential. They can redo team around Harden this way. They need a strong willed coach. Who will stand up to Harden. This one man show is so old in NBA. It’s never going to work, never has. It’s a team game. It takes a team to compete. Especially to contend. TEAM sport.
@Knicker They need to move Harden. Westbrook is so much more of a complete player than Harden can ever be
Westbrook is currently unmovable. His style of play and results is atrocious. At least Harden is a reliable scorer and you can get something back for him. It’s the only hope for the Rockets. You can get 5 for 1 for Harden, where as Westbrook you’re lucky to unload that contract for a guy that’s a knucklehead and you can’t count on anything on the floor from him.
Would agree that it’s Harden the Rockets should move, if only that they gave up some draft capital for Westbrook and have not had enough time to fully flesh out how he helps the team.
That said, OKC was infinity better with CP3 this year than they had been with Russ.
Least desirable job in the NBA, open or not. I doubt any big name coach would even consider taking the HC position there unless Fertitta backed up the Brinks truck and overpaid significantly.
Most likely, they end up with a a first-timer, which might be a better fit for this team, as younger coaches might be more open to adapting to the midget ball that Rockets like to play.
They will fail, of course, because Rockets, but it will be fascinating to watch.