Coach McHale Rockets-TWolves Post Game - He loves his young Rockets

I always feel the need to explain that being critical of Kevin McHale for his coaching decisions can be completely independent of the Lin conspiracies. I didn't watch the video (at work) but based on the adjustment comment, sarcastic or not, it is obnoxious to hear about. I think Kevin is masking his limitations and inability to consistently "read" those precious mismatches and "adjustments" that other renowned coaches analyze and win games from.

Kevin has the gift of charisma and communicating in a way that makes him appear to be light-hearted, calm and ready for the unexpected. In my opinion, this is completely opposite of what goes on in his head during a game. Heck, that's why players like him as their coach, because he usually talks to them like he's one of the boys. He was a great player and coaches from the voice of a teammate. He has that element of "making" you like him, even if he's not the strongest candidate to get the job done. I imagine this worked during his interviews for the coaching job, where equally-qualified or (highly-qualified) guys didn't possess the same "talk-the-talk" skills.

I've been here since 01, a Rockets fan even before then, but I have never been a non-believer in our past and present coaching staff. However, I am VERY critical of McHale because I disagree with a great deal of his rotations, coaching philosophy and adjustments. Obviously, I don't know everything Kevin does as a coach, but what I am aware of in terms of reading, watching, listening, analyzing etc, has not changed my opinion. Moreover, my experience as a middle/high school/ AAU coach allows me to consider any biases I have towards him based on my own basketball beliefs. In short, I don't completely trust his judgment and decisions from a purely basketball standpoint. I'm not implying that I could ever coach in the NBA ( so don't get it twisted) but it is permissible for me to be unsettled with my beloved Rockets' head coach. Either way, McHale and Morey don't give a freak about a loyal fan's opinion.

I think he is a great person, incredibly strong, but it does not make me, or any legitimate ROCKETS fan (LOFs do not count ) wrong or "bad" to not have confidence in him as a coach. We just want the best possible coach, and rightfully so.

With or without Lin, I have always maintained the same criticism towards Kevin for what I perceive as a deficit in coaching. His motivation skills appear to be strong, though. As a long-term solution for a young team, I am hopeful that Morey or the powers that be,select someone with more experience and appreciation of recognizing mismatches, even if their knack for finding ways to be "loved" by everyone isn't as strong as Kevin's.

Love my Rockets and fellow Rockets fans though!

 

I realize this is not necessarily addressing all of this particular post, but it invites me to add my thoughts. I would think that McHale is aware that his moral obligation is to develop these young players to be capable and responsible for the longterm while trying to obtain immediate results.

It's a difficult task for McHale to not have vets--I'm uncomfortable when it almost sounds like he's grumbling about it so much--but at the same time, it's also a gift to train individuals during these formative years. And these guys appear to be dedicated to improving their skills. For them, as well, it must be tough to figure a lot on their own...but it seems (to me) that this is a driven bunch of men who are taking the customary lumps pretty gracefully. By next year they'll be more comfortable in their own skin and as a group (hah, before they get moved and have to start over again).

Frankly, I like these guys a lot. There are times I wish he'd sound more positive while addressing the media, but it doesn't seem to be his style. His tone is clipped but he does have a sense of humor, and his players may adore him for all I know.

 

touche

 

You are over-generalizing again. Did I ever say the same thing 10 times in 2 pages? Or a simple reply of mine to other posters like "fair comments" equals to "almost all negative with bad things to say about McHale" by me? Can't you even differentiate what other people said from what I said? Let alone what I meant?

You are seeing things you want to see even when they are not there. I am not on the hate on McHale bandwagon and I have never said I want him fired, just to make it clear to you. So don't put me in the that camp even I may have participated in some discussions.

Go play with yourself. I won't participate in your game. It's a waste of time to talk with some one who just doesn't want to understand other people and allow the slightest difference in opinions.

 

Fair comments.

 

"Superstar"

I don't think you can tell what's in people's heads.

I don't remember any "Lowry fans" hating McHale. . . .

Not "blind hate"? You mean you have "eyes-open hate"?

McHale's actions and words didn't create any tension. What tension?

 

I don't think he complains about how young the team is, he's just explaining it to the reporters. He may come across as dissatisfied, because he wants the team to perform at a high level.

I never heard him say he didn't like the decision to tear down and rebuild. Show me where he said that. Tone, facial expressions, body language? If the team struggles or plays poorly, then this is what I would expect. I just disagree with you on all this.

Rumors? You mean anonymous posters on Clutchfans who claim to have inside sources. Get real man, do you believe everything that people post on message boards. I heard very positive things from past and present players in regard to coach McHale. I think Lowry was upset last year, but Lowry has had problems with every team he has played for.

Yes, I'm saying he should get credit for playing PPat. PPat was and is still a young player that was developed playing under McHale. You said he wasn't developing the young players and I disagree. I have no problems with McHale playing PPat and Morris over the rookies.

It's clear you dislike McHale, and you look at every facial expression and every word he speaks in a negative light. You are entitled to your opinion, just as I am. But I'm not seeing, or hearing, or interpreting things the way you are. As you said, you are reading between the lines, I just think you are reading things all wrong. Just my opinion.

 

Great bloke

 

Lowry fans didn't really have an issue with McHale. Lowry was upset he had to earn minutes from Dragic after a serious illness/injury.

 

One of the least informed posts in a long time!

Before the start of last season, Durant had a career 314 NBA regular season starts. That's Durant alone.
Before the start of this season, our entire starting lineup had a career 98 NBA regular season starts.

If you want to compare us to the Thunder, then the fair thing to do would be to compare us to the 2008/9 Thunder (Durant's 2nd season, Westbrooks 1st). They still had a far more experienced starting lineup, and a higher average age, but much more fair comparison.
By the way, that team went 23-59. The lack of experience really showed, they had some high moments, and plenty of low moments.

Lack of experience DEFINITELY tells, even on a team with mega talents like Westbrook and Durant.
Full credit to Morey for assembling a squad of inexperienced players who have upside, and full credit to McHale for giving them a winning formula to play to.

 

At the risk of being an armchair psychologist, my theory is that Kevin McHale's NBA coaching is very much influenced by his experience as an NBA player.

Specifically,

1. McHale was not only a Hall of Fame player, he was also a member of multiple title winning/contending teams, including one that is arguably the best in NBA history.

These teams, for the most part, didn't have to adjust to their opponents. They are just that good. Opponents had to adjust to them.

2. I don't recall any of McHale's NBA coaches (Bill Fitch, KC Jones, Jimmy Rodgers, Chris Ford) was really known as a tactical genius. The team just had a lot of talent (and to the extent that they were less than elite, injuries were mostly to blame).

3. McHale has also never been on a young team or a losing team. The Celtics made the playoffs and were over .500 every year during his career. They were also above league average in terms of age every season during McHale's playing career (the team always had vets even when Bird and McHale were in their first seasons).

4. The Celtics didn't just give young guys minutes to "develop" them, you had to earn them. They had old school Bill Fitch as coach in McHale's first two seasons. Also, despite being a 3rd overall pick, a 4 year college star, and a Hall of Fame talent, Kevin McHale came off the bench for his team until age 28.


Considering these, I think it's reasonably to see how McHale believes what he does about coaching-- winning is more about having great players focused on winning than tactical genius, it's hard to win with young teams (though a glance at NBA standings vs. average age of each team would also tell you this), players should focus on helping the team, not individual bull****.

 

Interesting post, but you basically admitted that you're seeing what you want to see, and it has no objective basis.

 

And whether or not coach McHale is right (and history seems to support him), it's hard to dispute that he has taken the most inexperienced starting lineup in NBA history and plonked it firmly in the conversation for playoff seeding this year.

Good job.

 

I think what he meant is that they didn't really "adjust" the game plan at all they just came out with more energy on both ends of the floor in the 2nd half.

 

Make a Movie example I think works quite well.

Mike Dantoni is like Alfred Hitchcock kind of director. The actors are his paint, you know the Hitchcock blondes are his paint. He will twist you and make you into what he wants you to be.

McHale is like a Scorcese or a Spielberg as in he gives the actors complete freedom to act or be whatever they want. Like an actors' director McHale is a player's coach. Not a systems coach.

 

You are partially right, Docta. :grin:

After being open to McHale when he first got here, and after watching him during last season, especially during the final stretch where he significantly contributed to our collapse, my objectivity has likely been influenced.

It's natural to lose some faith after being disappointed.

Anyway, thank goodness we have James Harden and Chandler Parsons to take control of this team's playoff hopes this time around. McHale will have no choice but to play ASIK when we need rebounds or defense, instead of relying on guys like Scola (last year) and PatPat to be powerhouses. We are going to HAVE to adjust on the defensive end with TRob's inexperience and lack of size. (Again, I am still baffled when I think about how McHale benched Camby and Sammy in those crucial games where they were getting us the lead...I hope things turn out differently this year)

I feel like we're entering the "Lottery Prank" stage of the season. On Hollinger's rating around this time last year, we were a 90-something percent likelihood of making the playoffs. Not that it proves the future or anything but that was definitely #Winning (Charlie Sheen voice)....and then we were pretty much shown that it was all false hope during that losing streak. Marcus Camby gave us a double-double in the first quarter of that game in Dallas when we were trying to get back to winning, and McHale sure adjusted things with his substitutions.

Really though, I just want the Rockets to make the playoffs, and grow. I want them to learn the Xs and Os of the game and progress on a large scale. Running and Gunning needs to have an alternative plan against guys like the Spurs, right? And, you can't just let Asik get destroyed on the boards against Zbo and Marc because you want TRob in. You adjust, right? I hope so.

 

nice post.

hated the McHale hiring but warmed to the great job he's doing. he's just the salty old veteran presence we need with this young team.

 

I dont agree with some rotations but I really do think that we need a coach like Mchale. A coach that demands respect and pushes his players. Not having big egos on this team is a plus as well. Unless some big time coach comes along I don't think its in the Rocket's favor to let go of a coach that the team seems to be responding to and respect greatly.

 

Make sense.

 

gotta give coaching credit where it is due--it was the perfect call to make JL go under the screen and make rubio beat you with his nonexistent shot.