[Chron.com - Justice] McHale has ability to lead by example

jsmee2000 · Jun 28, 2011

Read more: http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/justice/7629705.html#ixzz1QZQQ7lx7

Commentary
McHale has ability to lead by example

By RICHARD JUSTICE
Copyright 2011 Houston Chronicle
June 27, 2011, 11:31PM

Rockets coach Kevin McHale is happy to be getting back into the "arena" with his new team.

Read more: http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/justice/7629705.html#ixzz1QZQdd3Se

I found Kevin McHale lying on a training table getting his left ankle and hip worked on Monday afternoon. Is this guy making an effort to fit in or what?

"Arthritic ankle," he said.

Been there, done that, buddy. Torn this. Broken that. We've had our share.

Besides, McHale's new team will be perfectly happy if he's the only guy using those training tables at Toyota Center next season.

"Too many sprained ankles," he said. "I played on it a couple of times when I shouldn't have. It's nothing really major — just an inconvenience."

McHale had spent the morning on the practice court with his new team, beginning very gradually to evaluate what he has.

That he's back in this position at all is a surprise to plenty of people who never thought he'd coach again after the Timberwolves gave him the boot two years ago.

McHale probably thought the same thing, but after about six months, the only life he'd ever known began to tug at him.

He loved television work, especially working for TNT. He got a kick out of talking basketball with Charles Barkley and friends, but there was this gnawing feeling about actually getting back in the arena.

But McHale resisted, turning down one coaching offer and doing so without a bit of regret.

"It just didn't feel right," he said. "Then, around the middle of (last) season, those feelings came back and never went away."

McHale can list a dozen things he hates about coaching, especially the grind of travel. But the thing that has drawn him back is more overwhelming than any of the negatives.

"There's nothing like being in the arena with your team, and everybody is together, everybody is lined up," he said. "It's us versus them. That's how I grew up. You miss it."
Taking the ride in stride

McHale loves the preparation and strategy, loves working with players and attempting to make them better while incorporating their strengths into the larger goals of the team.

"Life to me is really interesting," he said. "A year ago, I never thought I'd be in Houston coaching. But all kinds of things happen. You've got to be prepared to be on the journey and to enjoy it."

I asked him what players want from a coach.

"They want you to be honest with them," he said. "They want you to hold them accountable. They want you to help them become better basketball players.

"They don't want any bull. If they're not good enough, you need to tell 'em what they need to work on."

McHale's journey includes a 13-year playing career and a stint as general manager and coach in Minnesota. Along the way, he befriended Red Auerbach, won three NBA championships and was inducted into the Hall of Fame.

One of the things Rockets GM Daryl Morey likes is the credibility a Hall of Famer brings to the gym every single day.
A kindred, caring spirit

"The last time I played was the dark ages," McHale said. "It's just whether you can help them become better players. That's the bottom line: Can you put them in position to succeed inside the team? One thing being an ex-player does do is you realize how hard it is out there. I was a pretty good player, but there are some nights the ball is square and the rim looks like it's the size of a thimble. You've got nothing. (On) those nights, you just have to find a way to grind your way through it.

"When I talk to guys who didn't play, they say, 'That should never happen.' You're like, 'Oh, OK. Why didn't Nolan Ryan pitch a no-hitter every game?' The season is 82 games, and sometimes it's hard out there. Sometimes you've got to put your arm around a guy and say, 'How are you doing, bud?' I've been there. I don't know if it helps you with credibility, but it helps you understand."

McHale is likely to have an odd first season with the Rockets. He's around his players only until the lockout begins, which probably will be Friday. After that, it could be months before the NBA is back in business.

But McHale is back in the arena, back where he wanted to be and where he feels the most comfortable.

"It comes down to either you like us versus them or you don't," he said. "I like us versus them. I've been part of it my whole life. You put the strategy and everything together, and you go out and play."

richard.justice@chron.com
Click to expand...

jevon3012 · Jun 28, 2011

Seems like a nice guy. Might not be a great strategy guy but definitely a player's coach.

Damion Laverne · Jun 28, 2011

Even though I despise Richard Justice with a passion, I liked this article; The Slippery Eel seems really upbeat and optimistic about this opportunity to coach; he seems like he is willing to work.

Mr_Mean · Jun 28, 2011

Do you think Hakeem O. and Moses Malone would be good assistant coaches???. Think of the Trainers for Motiejunas , they could get him playing center and really teach him.

HillBoy · Jun 28, 2011

And the red koolaid PR blitz continues...

Prince · Jun 28, 2011

sign of boredom.

DraftBoy10 · Jun 28, 2011

McHale is brought in to develop and motivate these youngsters. Thats how hes going to be judged.

Outlier · Jun 28, 2011

This guy is our Rudy T reborn. Good article.

v3.0 · Jun 29, 2011

I'll just stick this here, McHale with 610 this morning:

http://houston.cbslocal.com/?podcast_url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.podtrac.com%2Fpts%2Fredirect.mp3%2Fnyc.podcast.play.it%2Fmedia%2Fd0%2Fd0%2Fd0%2FdY%2Fd3%2Fd6%2FdG%2FY36G_3.MP3&podcast_name=Kevin+McHale&podcast_artist=Vandermeer+and+Lopez&station_id=63&audio_link=true&config_file=config.xml&dcid=CBS.HOUSTON

chenjy9 · Jun 29, 2011

Given what 2Pat said about KMac, I am feeling increasingly happy with him. I respect a coach willing to get down and dirty with his players to the point where he has to tape up his bad ankles after practice. He also comes with an incredible amount of credibility on the player side, being a big man who has literally gone through every possible aspect of a player's career; rings, hall of fame status, injuries, leadership, and history. When he says he has been where every player has gone or will go, it is the honest truth. As for his time with the Wolves harming his reputation? Come on guys... IT IS THE WOLVES. They will tarnish anyone and everyone's reputation.

weslinder · Jun 29, 2011

Outlier said: ↑

This guy is our Rudy T reborn. Good article.
Click to expand...

That's what I thought, too. I hope we're right.

eman · Jun 29, 2011

I wonder if K-Mac could give us a couple spot minutes as a player.

jimmyv281 · Jun 29, 2011

Mchale will lead us to wearing green alternate jerseys ....book it!.........by the way kevin if u can read this somehow I loved you in your episode of cheers!

solid · Jun 29, 2011

Listening to the players talking about McHale is encouraging. Listening to him talk is encouraging. The players interviewed thus far are clearly excited about him which is positive. How all this good karma translates to the court is yet to be seen. How many months till November?

I get a "Rudy" impression from McHale's interviews, it is a similar vibe; can't objectify the feeling, but for some reason he brings me back to some very good memories of Rudy T. Wouldn't it be something if it "all came together" under this guy's leadership. One can dream.

And that is all that is missing here: another "dream."

cyntil8ing · Jun 29, 2011

The statement that interested me the most:

"I've never really had a big guy that hasn't gotten better" - Kevin McHale

Hoping he's our next Rudy T. is a bit too lofty for me at this point. What I do hope is that he becomes Doug Collins-esqe developing our young players and integrating our progression from the previous mid season. If McHale can do that, it's not a far stretch to think we can get back into the playoffs.

Forums

[Chron.com - Justice] McHale has ability to lead by example

jsmee2000 Contributing Member

jevon3012 Member

Damion Laverne Member

Mr_Mean Member

HillBoy Contributing Member

Prince Member

DraftBoy10 Member

Outlier Member

v3.0 Contributing Member

chenjy9 Numbers Don't Lie
Supporting Member

weslinder Contributing Member

eman Contributing Member

jimmyv281 Member

solid Contributing Member

cyntil8ing Member

Share This Page

About ClutchFans

Rockets Content

Support ClutchFans!

[Chron.com - Justice] McHale has ability to lead by example

jsmee2000 Contributing Member

jevon3012 Member

Damion Laverne Member

Mr_Mean Member

HillBoy Contributing Member

Prince Member

DraftBoy10 Member

Outlier Member

v3.0 Contributing Member

chenjy9 Numbers Don't Lie Supporting Member

weslinder Contributing Member

eman Contributing Member

jimmyv281 Member

solid Contributing Member

cyntil8ing Member

Share This Page

chenjy9 Numbers Don't Lie
Supporting Member