BREAKING: Rick Adelman is out as Houston Rockets coach

(I only found out about this around lunch time today... sorry I missed the party???)

Oh, the ironies and paradoxes... one opinion.

I remember a player... T-mac was his name, I think, that became disliked because he was a ball-stopper... the offense didn't flow with him on the court. But wait, you do need a "superstar" and superstars are mostly successful when the ball is in their hands. It's rare to have both; or more correctly find a superstar to also let an offense "flow." Without a superstar the Rockets offense was liberated more than it had ever been. It just couldn't get them into the playoffs. What will they do? What WILL they do?

As has been pointed out by some posters here, Adelman wasn't fired. And let's be clear. I don't think any posters here were in the room when these discussions were happening. So, as has also been pointed out, we're left with speculation. Here's mine.

There were 3 people involved in the discussion that led to the announcement of Adelman not being retained. Of those 3, DM was probably the weaker individual. Les? He's the owner he doesn't need confidence. Adelman? He's been around the block a time or two and has more NBA experience that Les or DM. His record speaks for itself. You don't have to have won a championship to be a great and talented coach. DM? Well, I think most of his "confidence" comes from the faith that Les has given him. Don't forget, DM was Les' hire... his, baby. It would be harder for Les to bail on DM, therefore implying that DM was a mistake, than it would be to let a coach, (even a future hall-of-famer) drift away and call it "philisophical" differences.

Many have said that DM has put the franchise in a great position for the future with the "assets" he has put together. It's one thing to anaylyze talent and another to coach it. I haven't heard any rumors that DM is going to be invited to interview for the coaching job. A big part of coaching, as has been so obvious the last couple of years, is to find the right mix of players for your rotation. Certainly, people will always disagree with who gets to be in that mix and who isn't. But that IS a part of the talent of coaching. I can't see how anyone would say that Adelman didn't have a good instinct for this. That he got the players to go along, for the most part, with his instinct is borne out by the "chemistry" the team exhibited. Don't be deceived; this, too, is part of the talent of coaching. The coach is integral to that chemistry. The other part? His offense works. Period.

So I think the story as presented by the media is pretty much the way it was/is. There just couldn't be a meeting of the minds. I don't think it was a cut and dried "we're going in a new direction" decision. We're hearing Adelman wasn't given enough say so on trades, etc. My gut says that's probably right. I think anybody having to deal with the personnel changes that Adelman faced would, understandably become a little fatigued of the situation. I can't help wondering what Drexler is thinking right now. I doubt if Les asked for his advice on this decision. But I seem to recall he helped Les make up his mind over dinner, one evening, to hire Adelman.

Also, as has been noted by a poster or two, we can pretty much predict what will be said at the news conference introducing the new coach. It HAS to be a script. How could it be anything else? Do you really think Les is going to say, "Heck, we've gone through three coaches now. I know it may appear that we don't really know what makes success, any more than you people out there watching this -- or those posting on Clutchfans -- but we feel confident, more than ever, that we've finally got it right this time." I'd appreciate that kind of presentation, but it isn't going to happen. That's the confidence thing again.

On that topic, you have to wonder what any prospective candidate is going to be thinking... "Hm-m-m? 'They' more or less have shown the door to all my predecessors... and they were some pretty darn good coaches... Why one even won 2 championships before...?? What am I about to get myself in to?" Any smart applicant will want to talk to predecessors. Of course, getting the most accurate opinion would be an art in itself. But maybe a bystander can help read between the lines one might hear. Charles Barkley was pretty adamant that the Rockets gave Rudy the shaft. Would Rudy ever say that? Nah, he's too classy. We all know the JVG departure was bungled... mostly by DM. So where's the analytical ability when it's needed for PR? And currently? What would Adelman say? Nothing really damaging, you can bet. Almost everybody knows not to burn bridges. Although, you have to admire JVG for having more guts in that respect. Remember his angry implications that the Rockets were the victims of suspect officiating? Remember how most of us fans appreciated that courage and candor? So he burned bridges. Sometimes you don't want to cross those bridges again. I doubt if JVG would want to come back to Houston under the current regime. I think any coach with a lot of experience would have doubts about any assurances that he will have complete control here in Houston. We've all watched Houston become less attractive to free agents. Well, I think we are developing a reputation with coaches, also.

So where does that leave the players? After all they're the ones that have to go out on the court and act out what other people are telling them to act out. Unfortunately, when push comes to shove they are just commodities. It's the one thing I hate most about professional sports. I hated to see Battier traded, but he's at least in the playoffs and at his age he deserved a better last few years of his career than he was probably going to see here. That's why I really can't see Jerry Sloan even being mentioned by anyone. He's much too loyal to players to be able to survive the DM merry-go-round. Same thing for the Butler coach. I may be wrong, but he just strikes me as way too principled to be lured away from the job he has now, no matter what stars you sprinle in his eyes.

If I had to guess, the successor to Adelman will not be a coach who has been around a lot as an NBA coach. Because of the aforementioned "track record" we are developing -- like it or not -- I don't see a real experienced coach (like Adelman, for instance) coming here. I think it will be more of an Elston Turner or Mario Elie type. And if I were Les and DM I'd give strong consideration to Turner. It represents the best alternative for some continuity to the situation. I don't think he would tamper too much with Adelman's offense. And he was key in developing defensive schemes. He knows the personnel and already has a relationship with them. He would likely want to keep some, if not most, of the same coaching staff as Adelman -- unless Adelman immediately goes somewhere and wants his current staff intact. But I think it's 50/50 as to whether Adelman immediately finds a situation he likes, after treading water for 4 years here. He'd probably like a rest. The caveat for such a "candidate?" He may be shown the door to in the future and have his coaching "debut" tarnished.

Maybe the crowning irony... for all the talk about how basketball is a "team" game, and for all the games we've enjoyed over the last couple of years when the Rockets were really playing like a team; sharing the ball, crisp ball and player movement... in spite of that the 3 players on the "management" team couldn't find a way to play as a team. Sad really. So much talent. I'm just wondering who was hogging the ball the most?

 

most ridiculous thing i have ever heard, have you even looked at their roster and bullpen this/last year? please never speak again

 

that's great news. new start is coming. :grin::grin:

 

Wow, Stan Van Gundy? Really?!?

I've seen speculation on other threads here about SVG coming here...but would he really come here after what happened with JVG? I mean, if it were MY brother I know I wouldn't even consider it.

I don't know enough about Mike Brown to comment one way or the other.

Chalk me up as one of the darned disappointed fans; I like what Rick Adelman has done with our team, despite some of his flaws and I think overall he did an outstanding job.

Good luck Rick; I hope this change ends up being a positive one for you.

 

Well said.

 

doesn't really matter if he brings jvg back with him, they need an actual center and players that can actually play d. Starting chuck and bud and kmart and scola together will not get you anywhere defensively. I wouldn't mind elston either

 

Video of the Morey press conference.

http://www.nba.com/rockets/video/2011/04/19/DMorey041920MOV-1653500

 

I really like this guy. He comes from a terrific organization and he would bring a strong defensive mentality... Something the Rockets desperately need.

 

True. They definitely need a legit 7' center, but playing defense is mostly hustle, heart, and determination. If you try hard enough, you can become a good defender. Thats why we need a coach who will bring that defensive mentality.

 

GMNot? Or GMIs ??? I thoroughly enjoyed reading this post. Please post more often. Thank you.

 

pretty solid take on the whole situation. kudos.

 

Yao saddened to see Adelman leave

[rquoter]HOUSTON - Houston Rockets center Yao Ming, who will become a free agent this summer, told FOX 26 Sports in a telephone interview from China that he is sorry to hear that Rick Adelman is no longer the team's head coach.

"I was sad a good coach is leaving, not come back for next season," Yao said. "In the last four years under Rick (as) coach, the Rockets really, really had some good times."

Yao said many of the reasons the Rockets did not make the playoffs the past two seasons were not Adelman's fault.

"We had too many injuries, my injuries," Yao said. "In that situation he still can keep the Rockets on the playoff radar. That's a very incredible job he (has) done."

And Yao said when assessing the job done by Adelman you have to look at more than just the fact the Rockets didn't make it to postseason.

"You have to also look at the timeline of the Rockets, particularly this year," Yao said. "We may not (have) started well, but at the end we are still able to make a push. We are so close to making the playoffs and also I believe that what happened at the end of the year will really affect the next year which means the confidence will continue to help us in the next season.

"Now since the coach will be replaced, I'm not so sure, but for our part we will do the best we can."

The Rockets announced Monday the team and Adelman mutually agreed to part ways.[/rquoter]
​

 

Like the board needs more T-Mac slobbering when he isn't even on the team anymore.

 

Folks, like it or not, Yao Ming is coming back.

 

Bring in the sLOANER!!!!

<a href="http://photobucket.com/images/jerry%20sloan" target="_blank"><img src="http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u258/tmacboshkg/TTM/05_02_1.jpg" border="0" alt="Jerry Sloan! Pictures, Images and Photos"/></a>

 

I think Adelman is more of a "team" type coach and Les and DM want a superstar. Adelman isn't the right fit for a superstar. That's my take on it.

 

wow, anytime someone posts something this solid and worth a read despite looking like a giant block they deserve some major rep.

Your analogies were spot on and I really liked your points. Some never occurred to me, great job.

 

drexler, porter, webber, vlade, numerous all star calibar players on sac as well??? He adjusts hist system to suit the needs of the players dude.

 

Exactly. And I wouldn't mind an early booking on my teleswitch.

 

So I guess we're not rebuilding after all, thanks Morey