Did Dell Harris have the same respect from his players as McHale does right now? Doesn't PJ have a reputation as a players coach too? Is there anyone available on PJ's level that the Rockets could hire in place of McHale? Did you put any thought into your post at all?
You do know that Phil Jackson was not very good with X's and O's don't you? Or at least that is how he was characterized by one of the most knowledgeable NBA critics of all time - Phil Jackson. The triangle offense that Phil was so famous for is just a variety of the R&R offense the Rockets run. McHale is a lot like Phil, respected, liked and admired.
Phil Jackson used to have no chips too. Then he got some chips. McHale is hungry for chips! Houston wants chips!! Yumm!!
Well you can say that about almost any coach on the CF "I've got a *ardon for this guy" list. McHale is sporting a 99-80 record as the Rockets head coach. Damned good IMHO.
How bout he gets us out of the first round before we compare him to the 11 time Champion(as coach) Phil Jackson. The Coach with the most playoff games won in NBA History. How bout we wait to we can at least get home court advantage before we compare Kevin Mchale to Phil Jackson, smh.
I agree with the first part, and I'm in the minority that thinks PJ is and was overrated. I mean, I could having a winning season with MJ/Scottie, Shaq/Kobe, Shaq/Kobe/Gary/Karla, Shaq/Gasol/Ron-Ron. He's been a very opportunistic coach, which is smart, but I don't think he could drastically improve a team with mediocre players. Now, I don't know if McHale is as admired as you say. I think this may be true in the Rockets circle and by people who think about him as one of the NBA's Top 50 players of all time. I think he has more respect as a retired player than a coach. When you watch other coaches in timeouts, or just in general when they speak to their team, the players are completely engaged and watching/listening to everything happening in the huddle among the coaches. I just don't see that focus and attention with our guys in respect to McHale as a coach. Popavich/Thibs/Rivers/Vogel seem to have that presence that I wish McHale had, too.
No one here compared Rick Adelman to 11X NBA Champion Phil Jackson, lol. Unless I missed something I certainly didn't compare the two and I beileve Rick got a team out of the first round of the playoffs at the very least. So lets slow down on the Phil comparisons, I think he has a ways to go.
Minus Game 6, he would be there. You're right though. However, he had the majority of his teams playing at championship LEVEL ball. I still respect him for helping us get out of the first round and competing to game 7 without Yao. He totally adjusted the line-up to give us a chance to go to war with a roster that wasn't nearly as talented as other playoff teams.
