With just TWO moves: 1. Bring back Jeff Bzdelik as co-assistant coach. 2. Hire Shane Battier as President of Basketball Operations. This is the easiest way to set up his legacy as a Rockets great.
Bzdelik not so much the switching on everything/ everyone/ every possession is to much. It works but not as a base defense. If Patrick really wants his finger prints on the team in a positive way. Find high motor talent that plays defense first because that is about desire and intensity, fans will get behind that. We also like home grown underdogs that develop by demanding respect by outplaying their contracts and team expectations while remaining hummable. Shane Battier would bring so much validity and instant respect to the organization.
I want Battier here as well. But what makes y'all think he will leave: (1) South Beach (2) a team that JUST lost in the NBA finals (3) working with Pat Riley ???
Shane is currently a DIRECTOR of Player Development and Analytics with Heat, elevate his position to PRESIDENT of Basketball Operations (like Morey's title with 76ers) and then pay him more.
Bzdelik was not always switch everything - he was an assistant under Pat Riley, he knows and has utilized almost every known defense. Bzdelik was using system that maximized our players (Ariza, Luc, PJ) while limiting our nemesis GSW.
hell yuh... i'm all for patrick making the rockets great again! with him being very young, he can easily bring the rox to greatness and sustain it for at least 4 decades. do watchu gotta do breh!
I want Hakeem instead of him as the President of Basketball Operations. Hakeem’s IQ and passion for success is unmatched by anyone. No disrespect for Battier.
Certainly not a bad choice either. He would have to FOCK-ASS, but I wouldn't mind Hakeem in a advisory kind of role.
Hakeem won’t take no from anyone. He has the respect that no one else has, not even Clyde. Will TF allow Hakeem to guide the team?
Clyde does enjoy clubbing a good baby seal, lol. But yeah man I agree. Clyde was awesome for our 2nd championship. But even though he went to UH, I feel like Hakeem is more of a Rockets/Houston lifer. Maybe because he played so long here and well, Clyde didn't.
It seems unlikely Hakeem would take on a full time stressful job like that at this point in his life.
The only value in that president of basketball ops position is if you make the final call on all basketball decisions. The whole reason Morey isn't here is because he wasn't allowed to do that. Why do you think Tilman would give Battier or anyone else that power?
Shane ain't leaving Pat Riley to work for Tilman. He was in Houston long enough to know how mediocre Landry's and Joe's crab shack is.
What, exactly, IS the hierarchy on decision making in the front office now? 1. Tilman 2. Patrick 3. Blake 4. Blayne 5. Rafael ?