Rockets Report: GM Daryl Morey’s Job Could Be In Jeopardy
Here were are Houston Rockets fans, we’ve got three games to go before the end of the regular season.
But as the season comes to a close, there is serious uncertainty if this team will make the postseason or not.
It’s quite a shame that a team that won 56 games last season and a enunciated trip to the Western Conference Finals in last year’s playoff run, could be on the brink of missing the playoffs and have a losing record for the first time since the 2005-06 season when they went 34-48.
The team currently possesses a 38-41 record.
Rockets fans like myself sit down and wonder how could such a thing happen to a team that was destined to do such great things.
It’s mind-boggling and this has truly been THE most disappointing season I’ve ever witnessed in my 35 years of life.
I’ve been a lifetime resident of the Houston area as well.
The finger-pointing has become the norm across the course of the entire season, whether it’s the chemistry or coaching or whatever celebrity story line that would cause distractions to the team.
But for Rockets general manager Daryl Morey, many fingers have continued to point at him for some of the questionable decisions that he has made.
According to a report by ESPN’s Marc Stein and Calvin Watkins, Rockets’ owner Leslie Alexander has called for a comprehensive review of all components of the organization at the end of the season.
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That will include Morey as well as interim head coach J.B. Bickerstaff who have taken a lot of scrutiny as of late in regard to the Rockets’ woes.
Morey, who usually does speak to the media on a consistent basis, has been quite mum as the Rockets continue to underachieve but here’s what he said in a recent ESPN report about his job security:
"“You’re asking the wrong guy about that,” Morey said. “That’s Mr. Alexander’s choice and all I do is my job every day. He makes that call.”"
Questions continue to mount on the GM — who’s been with the Rockets nearly a decade — in regard to the decision to fire Kevin McHale 11 games into the season and after awarding him a three-year, $12 million extension the season before.
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Did he have itchy trigger fingers?
Some may agree and some may not.
In my opinion, Morey had to let McHale go because the team was no longer responding to McHale and I do have reason to believe — although I have no proof — that James Harden was a huge factor in getting him fired.
Any way, Bickerstaff was summoned to take over and the results have been mixed.
The team still lacks any type of consistency from game-to-game, the defense sucks and his management of the roster continues to be questioned as well.
He has fared 34-34 in his role but we all know he wasn’t the guy to coach this team that was tailor-made for McHale to coach.
Bickerstaff also told ESPN that he hasn’t had any discussions with Rockets’ management about his current role with the Rockets:
"“No, not at all, that’s not even a issue [or] a concern,” Bickerstaff said of his future prior to the Rockets’ loss to the Suns on Thursday night."
I fully expect that the Rockets will retain Morey — who is under contract through 2018 — but keep him on short leash.
He has been on fire for most of the time he has been here and this season really has been the first where his heralded, analytics-type, managing-style has been critiqued.
As for Bickerstaff, I’m sure he’ll be let go and he’ll have the opportunity to seek employment elsewhere in the NBA to which I’m positive he’ll secure.
There are many NBA head coaching jobs that will open up so it’s quite possible he can get one of those or be a top assistant on someone’s bench next season.
All in all, there’s going to be serious changes with the Rockets’ after the season is over and all of our worlds are about to be rocked.
Although the Rockets technically are still in the hunt with them being behind the Utah Jazz one game for a playoff spot, they need to pitch a shutout to which I don’t recommend.
Next: This Team Doesn't Even Deserve Playoffs
This team doesn’t need to be anywhere near the playoffs and the rebuilding needs to take place immediately after the end of the season — which is this Wednesday — a home game against the Sacramento Kings.
Hold on to your hats, Rockets’ fans!
Go Rockets.