Yeah I don’t think they are pushing him out. Morey is a professional and has treated guys with class. Tilman has no problem firing guys and paying multiple coaches. I think Morey probably would have a different head coach if he could have his choice. But he’s not a brat that throws tantrums. He always works with the parameters he has.
He also really wanted Carlisle. His only requirement is that the HC incorporate analytics and be open to change.
good to know on the UH stuff - i dont follow college... based on this article... https://heavy.com/sports/2019/04/mike-dantoni-contract-salary-houston-rockets-head-coach/ it sounds like Tilman picked up the option on MDA last year (2 year option)... at 5M/yr?... could he not be experiencing buyer remorse at this point - and not wanting to pay the other 5M?
1) Nothing in Tilmans history suggests he’d balk at firing a coach and eating 5 million 2) Morey has been doing interviews with Dantoni and talking to him about next year all offseason
Nobody likes to get fired. But Morey never went after McHale. He never dogged him in the media, never leaked stuff about him. He’s defended him to this day even though he wasn’t his choice.
Ok things are really getting kinda weird. Seems like MDA might go too. House cleaning is in full effect, although, i dont think letting go of Irv was necessary but there is no way he was let go without hardens blessings.
It is quite possible that the owner and GM and are not completely sold on what they want to do with the HC spot. Knowing Tilman it is also quite possible behind the scenes the Rockets are trying to negotiate for someone else and picked up MDA’s option as a fall back. If the Rockets were that excited about MDA long term, he would have an extension already. When it is all said and done MDA could end up with an extension but it looks like the Rockets are weighing all their options.
I know he’s not perfect but what do you think is the reason they might want to hire someone else. I’m open to a better coach but I feel like Mike effectively maximized the talent of the roster.
The most important aspect of what I got from the article is that the extension was picked up last year... thats a big deal imo... i mean if they picked it up this year then i'd be skeptical of them wanting to make a change - but it was last year when hopes were higher that a healthy CP3 would bring success this year... and it didnt happen.... and of course you got the McHale drama of being fired after an extension... but I think that was Harden appeasement motivated...
idk the mans finances... but is the potential for eating 5M more pertinent than its been in the past? Like I say idk... just based on capital to buy the team.... all the cost cutting moves... is all the talk of tight Tilman finances just people blowing smoke?
Any decision to not bring back MDA is going to be driven by analytical data. There must be something fairly glaring. Also keep in mind that Morey has said that he has lost out on other coaches (Carlisle) because of timing and has said that the Rockets ultimate goal is to get a young coach that fits the structure of the organization and would lead the team for decades. He specifically mentioned Brad Stevens and Gregg Popovich as examples. So it is possible there is someone that Morey believes is a perfect fit out there.
I mean firing some assistants is cute but unless he starts cutting player personnel, nothing is pointing towards 'whatever it takes'. And I would see the direction Fertitta is going with this. How many years does Dan Toni get if he stays long term. #NotLastMove