I'd prefer Casey as the next rockets coach.....i think the rockets want to get their last batch of interviews in before they finally decide... http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=6560389 TNT analyst Kevin McHale will get another interview with the Houston Rockets as the team completes a second round of sitdowns this week with the three finalists for its coaching vacancy, according to sources close to the process. The Rockets have already interviewed Boston Celtics assistant coach Lawrence Frank and Dallas Mavericks assistant Dwane Casey twice, sources said. After McHale's second interview, sources said, Rockets officials are expected to name their successor to Rick Adelman. KRIV-TV (FOX 26) in Houston reported that Frank's second interview with the Rockets was conducted Monday. The Rockets also completed a second interview with Casey late last week while the Mavericks while were waiting to find out their opponent in the Western Conference finals, which begin Tuesday night against the Oklahoma City Thunder in Dallas on ESPN. The Rockets have interviewed numerous coaches as part of a broad search to replace Adelman, but have made previous NBA head-coaching experience a prerequisite for the job. McHale hired and fired Casey as Minnesota's general manager and has a record of 39-55 in two stints as the Wolves' interim coach. McHale was 19-12 after taking over for Flip Saunders in the 2004-05 season and posted a 20-43 mark after replacing Randy Wittman for the final 63 games in the 2008-09 season. Frank was 225-241 in parts of seven seasons coaching the New Jersey Nets and, like Casey, is also under consideration for the Golden State Warriors' coaching vacancy. The 54-year-old Casey has been waiting for a second shot at a top job since being dismissed by the Timberwolves with a record of 20-20 during the 2006-07 season. He narrowly missed out on coaching jobs last summer with the Atlanta Hawks and Los Angeles Clippers. Casey's changes in Houston could gain a boost from his association with Mavericks coach Rick Carlisle, who is highly regarded by the Rockets. Casey has been working largely as the Mavericks' defensive coordinator since coming to Dallas with Carlisle at the start of the 2008-09 season. Senior writer Marc Stein covers the NBA for ESPN.com. Follow Marc Stein on Twitter: @stein_line_HQ
I'm beginning to think more and more that McHale was never a serious candidate, but was instead used as a way of learning more about Casey. Frank seems to be his true rival, but is likely set up as a backup in case Casey and/or McHale give them a reason not to hire him as HC. There are too many coincidences for me to not think that Casey is our man. His association with Carlisle and Carlisle being highly regarded by Houston (second only to RA for the previous coaching spot). He's a defensive minded coach, our team's greatest perceived weakness last season. And having the Rockets interview McHale, one of his previous bosses, to find out the inner workings/thinkings around the decision to fire Casey years ago. It seems like every other day someone else types up another coincidence that points to Casey being the guy. He's my predicted new head coach at this point, with the stipulation that the Rockets FO will build much of his assistant staff, which will include Cassell and Finch.
Why would Mchale have to come in for two interviews to talk about Casey? Couldn't they just talk on the phone? And why would he even agree to that? Unless he feels bad for firing Casey in Minny and wants him to get another shot. I think McHale is a legit candidate in Morey's mind. Actually, I think he's number two behind Casey.
<!-- http://twitter.com/sam_amick/statuses/70617451376820224 --> <style type='text/css'>.bbpBox70617451376820224 {background:url(http://a1.twimg.com/profile_background_images/205678248/NBA_Confidential.jpg) #9AE4E8;padding:20px;} p.bbpTweet{background:#fff;padding:10px 12px 10px 12px;margin:0;min-height:48px;color:#000;font-size:18px !important;line-height:22px;-moz-border-radius:5px;-webkit-border-radius:5px} p.bbpTweet span.metadata{display:block;width:100%;clear:both;margin-top:8px;padding-top:12px;height:40px;border-top:1px solid #fff;border-top:1px solid #e6e6e6} p.bbpTweet span.metadata span.author{line-height:19px} p.bbpTweet span.metadata span.author img{float:left;margin:0 7px 0 0px;width:38px;height:38px} p.bbpTweet a:hover{text-decoration:underline}p.bbpTweet span.timestamp{font-size:12px;display:block}</style> <div class='bbpBox70617451376820224'><p class='bbpTweet'>Source close to the situation tells me that McHale and Casey are neck and neck in that race for Rockets job with Frank third.<span class='timestamp'><a title='Tue May 17 22:31:27 +0000 2011' href='http://twitter.com/sam_amick/statuses/70617451376820224'>less than a minute ago</a> via <a href="http://www.tweetdeck.com" rel="nofollow">TweetDeck</a> <a href='http://twitter.com/intent/favorite?tweet_id=70617451376820224'><img src='http://si0.twimg.com/images/dev/cms/intents/icons/favorite.png' /> Favorite</a> <a href='http://twitter.com/intent/retweet?tweet_id=70617451376820224'><img src='http://si0.twimg.com/images/dev/cms/intents/icons/retweet.png' /> Retweet</a> <a href='http://twitter.com/intent/tweet?in_reply_to=70617451376820224'><img src='http://si0.twimg.com/images/dev/cms/intents/icons/reply.png' /> Reply</a></span><span class='metadata'><span class='author'><a href='http://twitter.com/sam_amick'><img src='http://a2.twimg.com/profile_images/1232097271/Work_pic_normal.jpg' /></a><strong><a href='http://twitter.com/sam_amick'>Sam Amick</a></strong><br/>sam_amick</span></span></p></div> <!-- end of tweet --> Hehehehe.
sam_amick Sam Amick Source close to the situation tells me that McHale and Casey are neck and neck in that race for Rockets job with Frank third. McHale?! Clutchfans faints.
I've never taken McHale seriously as a coach. I'm very surprised he's getting this much consideration. Is just because of his name only? I still have hate for him dating back to 1986. I guess I can get over it if he gets the job.
I dont have a problem with Mchale. He's an intelligent guy who has championship experience as a player. While I agree he has failed as a General Manager, there is potential for him to be a successful head coach. He didn't exactly suck when he was the coach for the T'Wolves.
I'm with you on this. I think McHale's biggest advantages are his leadership skills (for what it's worth, players in Minny really liked him) and his experience as a GM.
Casey is also on a team that loves "numerology" (stats) and uses them extensively from what I've read in the past.
Why not do something smart, unconventional, daring, and fitting? I mean: hire Brad Stevens. Watch the team grow with him. What we got to lose?
Asked Sam who is 1A/1B between those two. His response: Really don't know. McHale's Celtics ties and Morey's Boston background are worth remembering though
McHale had problems drawing up plays on the chalkboard during timeouts. His assistants had to help him out. There is a lot more to coaching than telling someone how to make a post move or hit a jump shot. No thanks.
Yes, I know. That's exactly why I want Stevens. Not that it'll ever happen; there's no way he'd leave Butler. Unless Morey finally does something truly magical. Pun intended.
I think it will be McHale because he instantly will be respected, because of who he is, and what he's done as a player. And he's a towering dude, so right off the bat he comes off as intimidating.
To be honest I'm kinda glad that Frank is 3rd in the running. Frank is certainly the safest pick out of the three but Casey and McHale have much more upside as coaches (Casey especially). Good to hear that Morey is actually willing to take a risk on someone. And McHale isn't a half-bad coach. Take it from a Timberwolves fan who wanted nothing more than McHale out at the time.
