Houston Rockets Fire Kevin McHale: Rapid Reactions
The Houston Rockets fired coach Kevin McHale. This is not a drill. McHale was one of the longest tenured coaches in the NBA, posted a 60% win percentage at the helm of the Rockets, came off Houston’s first Southwest Division crown in years, and their first Western Conference Finals appearance since many of our dear readers have gone through puberty.
Despite all of McHale’s success in implementing the offense that Daryl Morey had envisioned, despite McHale’s personal struggles and perseverance as head coach of this team, and despite McHale’s reputation as a player’s coach, the Rockets have moved on. The Rockets felt it appropriate to divorce themselves from one of the best coaches, record-wise and success-wise, in franchise history after a 4-7 start.
This is not a wise decision.
Yesterday I authored an article stating that whatever Morey’s next move is will be a wise one. Given the termination today, I have to respectfully retract that statement. During McHale’s tenure, Daryl Morey has acquired a roster set specifically to play out the analytic style we’ve seen.
More from House of Houston
- Are you the 2021 FanSided Sports Fan of the Year?
- Houston Texans: 4 reasons Romeo Crennel is right coach right now
- Astros-Twins Wild Card Series: 5 things to know as MLB postseason begins
- Houston Texans: The Most Underrated Sports Drought Ever
- Houston Texans: J.J. Watt’s early case for NFL Hall of Fame
McHale has ensured that the play style reflects that and the personnel is adequate for that purpose. As I stated yesterday, efficiency numbers are roundly down but the law of averages dictates that the team would correct these issues.
Of the available coaching options many Rockets fans are enamored with Tom Thibodeau, the former Chicago head coach and Jeff Van Gundy disciple. Thibodeau is a defensive oriented coach who eschews offense for an isolation system that grinds out games.
The criticism of Thibodeau in Chicago was failing to be innovative on offense, stagnating the game, and ultimately playing not to lose. If you see methodical and disciplined players meant for a grind-it-out and bang them up style on this team, I’m not entirely sure we watch the same Rockets.
More from Houston Rockets
- Houston Rockets and Texans: Two different coaches with one glaring similarity
- Houston Rockets: Dig in, make threes, win series
- Houston Rockets: The time to make a statement is now
- Houston Rockets: Rest Russell Westbrook for remainder of the OKC series
- Houston Rockets: G2: What has put the team in driver’s seat against OKC
Today’s dismissal will be a setback for the Rockets. Of the available free agent coaches, only Mike D’Antoni fits the offensive bill. Interim Coach J.B. Bickerstaff is tasked with re-installing the defensive identity of this team – an identity that has been tenuous at best during his tenure. Instead, the Rockets will have to readjust, re-staff, and ensure that whichever new coach comes in is amenable maximizing this roster.
Ultimately, per my article yesterday, I advocated that sending a message was necessary. I was guarded in the scale of that change and message. What we’ve seen today is that a significant edict has been issued by the front office.
Where I dissent from our general manager is simple; if you are going to make a large scale change, you better address the core of the problem.
As stated at the beginning of this, McHale posted one of the most successful seasons, if not tenures, that most Rockets fans have within living memory. Meanwhile, well chronicled, James Harden’s offseason was wrought with public intoxication, shoe-based drama, and Kardashian exposure.
Harden’s efficiency numbers are tanking, he has – once again – resigned from defensive effort, his three point percentage, and his decision making reflects that of an individual engaging in extracurricular activities with a Kardashian.
You can’t move on from Harden, so McHale had to go, I understand that. Central to understanding this entire debacle, however, is understanding that the catalyst for this was Harden’s petulant attitude.
The core of the problem was not McHale.