Well, that's depressing. James is extremely talented but young and immature. What he needs is someone to kill his bad habits dead and work on accentuating his abilities within the team framework to make him even more deadly, NOT someone that's simply going to cater to the way he already is. We don't want a coach that James simply likes; we want one that he RESPECTS, whether he has a choice or not. For God's sake, Les, it's your team, and you expect it to get better by letting the players pick their boss? More money than sense. If this is how they're going to choose a coach, then expect more of this year next year. James is going to leave when his contract is up unless the team suddenly shows serious contender potential. He'll then either pick a team with a good coach and start wrecking the entire league, or he'll pick a team with an easy coach and fade into the sadness of lost potential. Either way, the Rockets pay for it for years after he's gone.
The Rockets culture is definitely messed up from the owner down to the players. Having your best player choose your coach eliminates any checks and balances in the team and organization. In other words, the player will have more authority than the coach which takes out any coach- player accountability and discipline.
Well Memphis is already considering bringing back Hollins. There is your precedent. From realgm.com The Memphis Grizzlies are considering rehiring Lionel Hollins as head coach. The Grizzlies didn't renew Hollins' contract after the 12-13 season and hired Dave Joerger, who was fired last week. Hollins spent a season and a half as head coach of the Brooklyn Nets. Hollins would be a popular hire as he's maintained a strong relationship with the Grizzlies' core. Don't be surprised!!! I think Mchale is the only coach out there that doesn't mind the way the Rockets do business. If Mchale and Mchale's wife and James Harden can mend fences I think it can happen.
Totally Totally Totally agree with you... This is by far the most idiotic BS that I have ever seen... Let prisoner pick his Warden.... T_Man
Harden is using the Spread sheet Maury handed him for "Statistical Anal-isys of how to pick a woman". Its the same algorithm Murry used to pick the draft picks. That is why Harden is involved with all those classy woman. Bell Curves never lie
Bump Is there any doubt that Harden is/was in favor of the D'antoni hire? Played for him on the 2012 olympic team where MD was an assistant. MD isn't a hard nosed defense guru or strong personality that would rub James the wrong way. One thing with this coaching search that I have thought all along is that they were going to have to be careful what kind of personality they brought in (not that I agree with this), but it could backfire if James doesn't respond to tough love. Could this have been Les and James outweighing Morey? I don't suspect that Morey absolutely hates the hire, but I have to believe that MD wasn't his top choice.
Team hiring is important for fit. So I agree with it. It's part of what extends the process to hire, but critical to getting commitment, not cancers, out of most everyone. Some players will get cut, and some players will resent those cuts and then get cut, but to get the best possible team result and buy in you need Harden on Board. It's up to Harden to identify his weakness and cover it up.
Not blaming Harden. Just insinuating that it probably played a role in the decision and helped boost MD in Les' eyes. You bring in an unknown to Harden like Borrego or Silas and who knows what that relationship will be like. MD feels like a safe, comfortable hire.
Nate McMillan was also on the coaching staff and was also available. In this day of social media coverage, you'd think if Harden was a big proponent in D'Antoni's hire it would have came out already. But nope, we haven't heard anything at all.
I don't get the impression that Harden would nix or advocate for any single guy all that much. I think whoever is presenting the candidate to him would be able to sell him on it fairly easily. There is no evidence that tells me to put this on Harden's shoulders.
