I don’t understand both the Clippers and Houston going “in house” for their hires. These same people were part of the problem with their teams. I don’t think things are going to miraculously change now that they are in charge.
in houston, it's about the money. in the case of the clips, it seems they just let the players choose the coach just like they let them build the team. went so well already, as cookie indicated... i'm waiting for ballmer to clean house, but he's not ready to really step in yet. it took cuban a long time to figure out how to leverage passion and resources into effective management of an nba franchise. maybe the curve will be the same for ballmer. but ty lue is avery johnson in this analogy.
Problem is the Clippers, even after they clean house, have no picks forever. If Kawhi and PG leave after next season, that franchise is so royally screwed. I really hope we are able to make a couple nice moves in the off-season to close the door on them next season so they are essentially screwed for a decade.
With Houston, I don't think they had a lot of options. It's certainly more appealing with Morey out but the damage has been done and some coaches have made other choices in the meantime. The roster is a mess if you want to run a traditional team. Westbrook is difficult to coach and you're limited with the system you can put into place with someone like Harden. Leaving them trying to put the alum card cause no one is knocking down their door trying to inherit that squad. So that leaves you with current staff, former players, or former coaches for that team.
i'm guessing an outside person would come in and trade harden and westbrook and start over, and they're not interested in doing that. i could see both sides. but harden's 31, doesn't take great care of himself, and has luckily never had a serious injury. i think his first one will be his last, and his trade value has to be near its apex right now. morey knew he couldn't dig out of the mess he was in without ripping it all down, and ownership needs that taco bell money to stay afloat.
If the Rockets stink around the trade deadline, I can see them blowing it all up. GSW, LAL, LAC, DEN, UTA, there's just too much competition and those teams have more stability and fewer question marks than Houston. Will be looking to see what Houston does midseason
2/3 of the three-headed beast are gone. one more to go. then i won't have a complex about them anymore.
Jeff Van Gundy, John Lucas, Stephen Silas are three being considered by Houston per reports. Lue? He might not last the full five year term. Why he was chosen is probably more of familiarity with the players. Now he has to manage the dysfunction already in place. A bit surprised neither is looking at Atkinson who is a very competent coach... Must not have enough "name" power.
yeah, weird to me that atkinson isn't first on all these lists. he did well in brooklyn, imo. reminds me of mike malone in that we was inexplicably fired after doing a good job (and i expect that, like malone, he'll have success in his next stop).
Good for Stan. Good leader for that young group. He deserved another gig before now. That was one of the more attractive jobs this off season.
i like svg. as retreads go, i'd have him high on my list. can he get ingram to play defense? how does one commit to a defensive philosophy if some of your more important players need to play at a high pace? i think he's better-equipped than gentry was to be creative with their weird roster.
