Feigen Updates: Dantoni to stay, working on coaches, no Ty Lue, other tidbits

justtxyank · May 29, 2019

https://www.houstonchronicle.com/sp...Mailbag-Offseason-What-offseason-13904088.php

There have been multiple long planning meetings on a management level. A "preferred list of names" has been put together to start a coaching search to remake Mike D'Antoni's coaching staff. Talks on an extension for D'Antoni could be a slow process, but the Rockets will not be looking for D'Antoni's successor in a coach-in-waiting role.
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Q: What sparked the mass firings in the last week or so? Was this a mutual choice between Morey and Tilman (Fertitta)? What is the timeline for bringing in replacements? — Trey

A: Basically, Daryl Morey decided the Rockets could do better. Fertitta is a part of most decisions so of course he has a role in that, but this was Morey's decision based primarily on a belief the defense was not good enough. Jeff Bzdelik's ambivalence about coming back last season, and presumably about returning, was a factor, but not the primary reason for the changes. The Rockets do intend to hire someone in that role and wanted to clear the runway for that individual to help fill out the staff.

The contracts of the assistants that were told they would not be back were up after this season so with a change of the associate head coach, there might have been other changes, anyway. This might give them a chance to hook on with someone else before positions are filled. But the choice of moving on or waiting to see if they fit in a revamped staff could have been left to them. It was not.

The timeline is more uncertain because the priority is seeing if there can be an extension for Mike D'Antoni.
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Q: Are the Rockets trying to fire D'Antoni indirectly? — Ryan

A: They are not. He under contract for next season and has no intention of stepping down with or without an extension. The Rockets know that. But they also believe in D'Antoni and with good reason. He has the best winning percentage of any coach in franchise history.

This feels old now, but an argument can be made that if not for Chris Paul's 2018 hamstring injury, they would have won a championship in what would have then been the best season in franchise history. Even last season, D'Antioni's steady hand, along with James Harden's MVP-caliber play, was key to turning around the season. The Rockets were not as good as the team that beat them. Considering everything — the roster, the injuries, the moves that did not pan out — D'Antoni actually did an outstanding job last season. More to the point of your question, the Rockets know this.
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Q: Hi, Jonathan. The Rockets seem interested in Ty Lue, do you think he can improve the Rockets' defense better than what (Jeff) Bzdelik did? Is Lue a defensive coach? Do you think the Rockets would consider changing their style of play, like the one CP3 suggested wherein they should have more ball movement so that they would be less predictable come playoff time? Lastly, do you have any idea who the Rockets would sign in free agency? Thanks. — Justin

A: The Rockets have not shown any interest in Ty Lue since the season ended and the coaching staff overhaul. They did reach out to him in October, before Jeff Bzdelik returned, but did not make an offer.

The Rockets could tinker with their offensive style. They have several times in Mike D'Antoni's three seasons. They will continue to prioritize 3s, free throws and layups. If they are to add more mid-range shooting to the roster, D'Antoni would add it to his offense. He has repeatedly shaped his offense around the talent on the roster. But that is something that has to come from personnel changes that are very much out of their control since they would only make that kind of change with an outstanding shooter in the mid-range.
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Q: Are the Rockets considering using the full mid-level exception? How much roster tinkering would be needed to make it a viable option?

A: They consider everything, but they view the potential moves needed to have the standard mid-level exception, worth roughly $9.25 million, as so unlikely, conversations seem entirely about the taxpayer mid-level exception of about $5.71 million.
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Q: Who are the rockets likely to try to acquire by trade or free agency and any chance Chris Paul will not be here? — Dave

Q: Will the Rockets be exploring trades for a small or power forward? If so, who could we be targeting? Thanks — Colin

A: I can't guess who they will try to acquire any more than I can tell you the score of Game 1 of The Finals. Neither can they. They will look at other ways to improve the roster, as with the Chris Paul trade, but the most likely moves are with mid-level exception money and minimum contracts. No one can guess who among those players they would want will be up for accepting a minimum deal. Those guys are hoping to do better. You won't find anyone that in May predicted that the Rockets would sign James Ennis III last year or Luc Mbah a Moute the year before.

The Rockets will, as always, talk to anyone with a smartphone, but if they trade anyone it would be a significant trade, entirely unpredictable.

As for Chris Paul, the contract would be the same for another team as it is for the Rockets. The past few years in the NBA have shown that no contract is untradeable, but it is difficult to imagine a scenario in which the Rockets can move Paul, get better and find a team to take on that deal all in the same trade. A sign-and-trade with a team losing a star anyway would seem at least worth exploring, but would a team with a star worth that kind of a deal replace him with Paul at this stage of his career? They would have to be a contender with that very specific need.
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justtxyank · May 29, 2019

This is important context that verifies what I've said previously. The Ty Lue thing was them reaching out last year, nothing since the season ended. They are not trying to get D'Antoni to quit. They are doing an extensive search for defensive replacements. They've kept the entire offensive coaching staff in place.

If there is an impasse with D'Antoni, my guess is that it's number of years. He wants a 3 year extension, Rockets are probably trying to do smaller. (This is just guess)

Deuce · May 29, 2019

Good recap, thanks!

ROXTXIA · May 29, 2019

justtxyank said: ↑

This is important context that verifies what I've said previously. The Ty Lue thing was them reaching out last year, nothing since the season ended. They are not trying to get D'Antoni to quit. They are doing an extensive search for defensive replacements. They've kept the entire offensive coaching staff in place.

If there is an impasse with D'Antoni, my guess is that it's number of years. He wants a 3 year extension, Rockets are probably trying to do smaller. (This is just guess)
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Thanks for posting this and your two cents.

BigBum · May 29, 2019

justtxyank said: ↑

This is important context that verifies what I've said previously. The Ty Lue thing was them reaching out last year, nothing since the season ended. They are not trying to get D'Antoni to quit. They are doing an extensive search for defensive replacements. They've kept the entire offensive coaching staff in place.

If there is an impasse with D'Antoni, my guess is that it's number of years. He wants a 3 year extension, Rockets are probably trying to do smaller. (This is just guess)
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I believe Morey reached Ty Lue recently, but he did not want MDA to know about it.

Reporters use "present sense".
The Houston Rockets are pursuing Tyronn Lue for the team’s lead assistant coach role, according to Shams Charania of The Athletic.

justtxyank · May 29, 2019

BigBum said: ↑

I believe Morey reached Ty Lue recently, but he did not want MDA to know about it.
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Even the initial report said the contact was in October with nothing since. People have run wild with speculation.

LorneMalvo · May 29, 2019

Loser off-season already.

HillBoy · May 29, 2019

Of course D'Antoni is staying - at least for one more year. This roster has been put together to specifically execute his system and to get rid of him now would require a total team rebuild which is nigh on impossible given their current salary cap restrictions. Also, a rebuild would mean that Harden is also gone which would not go down well with the red koolaid drinkers. SO I expect one more season of MDA/Moreyball. That's why you see Morey doing what he's always done - shuffle the player deck once again. It's what he does only this time they're throwing the coaching staff under the bus.

Matt78777 · May 29, 2019

I asked this one after listening to @The Cat 's podcast:

Q: Jonathan, given the Rockets' new coaching vacancies, are you under the impression that management has replacements already lined up or are they current canvassing the market for potential candidates? How involved is D'Antoni in the decision making process? Thanks. — Mateo

A: They were very aware of who is out there and of their own evaluations of potential assistant coaches having done some of that work in October after Jeff Bzdelik did not return. But they will do a search process. They always do. Daryl Morey believes in casting a wide net, which fits his way of doing things in general. Even the motivation for his analytics use began with a determination to gather more and more information. That is why he still does traditional scouting, too. When he has had coaching searches, he has sought to interview an unusually large number of candidates. Some of that work might help give him a head start with this process. But I would be surprised if he did not do a lot of interviews, at least for a few of the positions.

D'Antoni and he have spoken in the past few days about candidates. Generally, Morey does the legwork and he and D'Antoni can express preferences to the other. If Morey is not on board with D'Antoni's choice, or D'Antoni does not want Morey's, neither overrules the other. They seek consensus. That is a bit different from teams that have the head coach entirely choose his staff, but kind of ends up the same.
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Hard_foul · May 29, 2019

LorneMalvo said: ↑

Loser off-season already.
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How did you come to this conclusion? We’d love to hear.

daywalker02 · May 29, 2019

Q: What makes them stall the negotiations?

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Feigen Updates: Dantoni to stay, working on coaches, no Ty Lue, other tidbits

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