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[ESPN / Watkins] Interim Rockets coach J.B. Bickerstaff feels supported by front office

Discussion in 'Houston Rockets: Game Action & Roster Moves' started by Deuce, Apr 1, 2016.

  1. Deuce

    Deuce Context & Nuance

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    Interim Rockets coach J.B. Bickerstaff feels supported by front office

    http://espn.go.com/blog/houston-rockets/post/_/id/2280/j-b-bickerstaff-has-support-of-front-office

    HOUSTON -- As it stands the Houston Rockets would not be in the playoffs after losing to the Chicago Bulls on Thursday.

    But the Rockets' front office is still supportive of interim coach J.B. Bickerstaff, he said.

    “They’ve been great,” Bickerstaff said Friday. “The organization has been great, (Rockets owner) Leslie (Alexander) has been great, (CEO) Tad (Brown) has been unbelievable, (GM) Daryl (Morey) has been supportive. Those guys have been there and helpful, anything we needed they come running to provide.”

    Morey told ESPN on Thursday that Bickerstaff’s job status will be reviewed following the season, a statement that coincides with what Alexander said after he fired Kevin McHale 11 games into the season.

    The Rockets have hovered around the lower half of the Western Conference playoff standings since Bickerstaff took over, and with six games remaining they are a half-game behind the Jazz and Mavericks, who are tied for the No. 7 seed.

    “The conversations we have are we’re all on the same page with the conversations that we’ve had,” Bickerstaff said. “We’re all disappointed, we’re all frustrated where we are at this point. There’s opportunities to be had and that’s the message and that’s our point. It’s not time to tuck your tail or put your head down or hide your head, it’s time to fight, it’s time to show up on the floor every single day, every minute, every position, see the man in front of you and try to knock him down. That’s where we are, no room for feeling sorry for yourself, nobody cares. Fight, stand up.”

    Bickerstaff has not spoken with management about his job status, and doesn’t plan to until after the season is over.

    There were high expectations after the Rockets reached the Western Conference finals last season as the No. 2 seed. But a poor start and the lack of performance by the players for McHale forced the front office to fire him.

    Houston is 33-32 since Bickerstaff took over, and he might need to reach the postseason to retain the job.

    "Desperation because we’re ninth now,” Corey Brewer said of the Rockets' mindset. “We haven’t played good all year. To be honest we’ve been flat-out terrible all year. We’ve got to play desperate, can’t lose anymore.”
     
    1 person likes this.
  2. Snow Villiers

    Snow Villiers Member

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    Corey Brewer needs to be like Ryan Gosling in 'Remember the Titans' when he gave up his spot to Petey.
     
  3. Clutch

    Clutch Administrator
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    I haven't read the article yet, but just to be clear:

    1) There's no reason whatsoever to express any doubts in your head coach with just a few games left while trying to make the playoffs.

    2) There's (currently) no reason whatsoever to keep him beyond this season.

    They're going to make a lot of changes. Head coach has to be included in there.
     
    2 people like this.
  4. OlajuwonFan81

    OlajuwonFan81 Member

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    This.
     
  5. Deuce

    Deuce Context & Nuance

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    Clutch, no question.
     
  6. dobro1229

    dobro1229 Contributing Member

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    Clutch X3

    Also when you go into an interview for a company and they ask you what you think of their company who says anything other than "Best company in the world"... "would love to work for them", etc??

    JBB knows he's been interviewing for the job since McHale got fired, and he's far from locked it down longterm. No reason for him to badmouth the team, and their support, and no reason for the team NOT to support him. Thibs isn't walking through that door on April 1st.

    (June 1st however.... )
     
  7. Deuce

    Deuce Context & Nuance

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    Dboro, hell, May 1st.
     
  8. HeyDude

    HeyDude Contributing Member

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    Still can't believe we didn't hire another coach after firing McHale. Morey severely overrated JB at the time of the firing, and we're paying the consequence.
     
  9. PhiSlamma15

    PhiSlamma15 Member

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    Agreed. You don't tell a coach he's fired while fighting for a playoff spot
     
  10. Os Trigonum

    Os Trigonum Contributing Member
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    best April Fools gag yet. :rolleyes:
     
  11. IzakDavid13

    IzakDavid13 Contributing Member

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    The classic 'Front Office Support', roughly translated to '12 week notice.'
     
  12. conquistador#11

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    morey is not really stopping for a cannoli, Blair. he is, but just check the back seat first.
     
    1 person likes this.
  13. joeson332

    joeson332 Member

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    Clutch is clutch
     
  14. Rox11

    Rox11 Member

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    You guys have to remember, anything that comes out of jbs or Howar_s mouth is projected at the offseason (next employer) they have no choice but to say nothing but the best about the org.
     
  15. 08kx250f

    08kx250f Member

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    April Fools
     
  16. AroundTheWorld

    Supporting Member

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    What else are they supposed to say or do at this point?!

    No way they keep him around, unless they make the playoffs (unlikely) and at least get to the Western Conference Finals (no way).
     
  17. LAFIRMA22

    LAFIRMA22 Member

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    This has to be a April fools by morey
     
  18. AvgJoe

    AvgJoe Contributing Member

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    Very typical Morey move.
    "Team told me I'm not being traded", traded 1 week later.
    "Front office has been supportive", fired by offseason.
     
  19. xiki

    xiki Contributing Member

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    Thanks.

    My concern is that while "they're going to make a lot of changes" they'll be put on abeyance until KD ultimately says, 'No.' Will it be too late by then to execute the plan, whatever 'the plan' is.
     
  20. ISOBall

    ISOBall Member

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    April fools!!!!!!!
     

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