Sources: McHale using Sampson's absence as an excuse for poor defense

Sadly, some of us saw this coming.

I've been arguing for some time that McHale doesn't know X's and O's and have been concerned about the departure of Sampson in terms of the impact on our defense.

And prior to Sampson's departure we WERE a top 10 defense.

Losing Sampson is hurting us in the worst possible ways for the play offs... pre-game preparation, and in-game adjustments. Sadly, I was worried this was going to happen as well.

 

not looking good for our comeback...

 

F***ing Sampson. He's always been a weasel. Who leaves their team out to dry like that. Why not wait until the season ends? He was lucky to get hired by us after being caught cheating too

 

Wow, cannot believe not more people have focused on the fact he said it was Sampson who preached defense and made adjustments. Is he saying he just cannot preach defense and is not really a coach?? What a clown. For all his toughness with the Celtics and saying guys need to play harder, he sure looks like a fraud.

You guys reckon was brought in solely because of his history as a great player and to lure Dwight here?? Sure seems like it, though Leslie / Morey was quoted as saying they found that McHale came across as very knowledgeable and they talked for hours during the coaching interview.

This is on our management as well, letting Sampson walk like that..

 

It's a sad day when the suggestions being floated around are to be overly physical.

Do you guys know how ridiculous you sound? What if our players were "put on their backs EVERY SINGLE DAMN SHOT?" Would that still "feel good" to you guys?

 

But dobro, which self-respecting coach is willing to be #2 when he's actually the one acting as the head coach? probably the reason Sampson left in the middle of the season, he got fed up with McHale.

The new guy would want to have full control of the team.

Fire McHale or kick him upstairs to a PR/media job or something. I'd rather have Hakeem or Calvin Murphy as the team consultant.

 

Total implosion in full effect. I didn't know things were this bad. McHale and his staff are gone.

 

This is non-sense excuse from McHale. If after the whole season, the team still does not know how to play defense, I don't know what to say about the players. If McHale does not know how to make in game adjustments, he should not be a head coach.

 

I like Moreys ambitions and I like McHales personality. Morey knows he hired a yes man. Morey is infuriated but McHale was your messenger. Step back and hire Sloan or Hollin, those guys tear assess on national tv.

 

I would like McHale as a scout

 

Nothing surprising here.

McHale has always been a gimmick coach who ahs been found out everytime the going gets tough. He inspires zero confidence, looks lost and clueless.

Every season down the stretch at the face of real adversity we collapse.

McHale's coaching or lack thereof can live by pure talent as it has during regular season but come playoff time lack of X's and O's and basic coaching skills or defensive gameplan is found out.

I would love to hear the excuses from known McHale fans like jtr or lars or sirbaihu

 

Jerry Sloan would be a terrific coach here...

 

Not just complacent, but also not into the game. You could tell there was no movement (player or ball) on the offensive end of the court. Guys weren't getting shots where they were accustomed to getting shots and it had a very bad overall impact on our offensive flow. If we're going to feed/feature Dwight, it's gotta be early in sets or in transition. If it isn't there, he's got to kick it back out and then go run something else (pnr), not re-post. This gets him his touches and then gets him off the block to free up Harden/Parsons/Beverley/Lin when he goes out to set picks.

 

The Rockets seem to have two different styles on offense.
1. Dump it down to Howard and watch.
2. Run and gun with much more offensive movement.

Last night was dump it down to Howard early but the rest of the guys could never get going. Even during 2. it seems to be ad lib. There is no reason why both styles can't be used during the same game. Keep the other team guessing. McHale should be calling plays based on the feel of the game. He seems to let them do whatever and the players are confused. There were many analysts that predicted the Rockets' style wouldn't work in the playoffs and they were right (so far).

 

For those questioning the timing of Sampson's departure, this is just speculation because I don't know the timeline, but it's very important for college coaches to get on the recruiting trail early on. You see college football coaches bail before bowl games fairly often and it's for that very reason. You need to get your House (cough) in order before you crank up next season. UH had some players bolt after the coaching change so it was probably important to get in early.

Of course in hindsight it looks like it totally unraveled the Rockets and their chance at a deep playoff run, so it is what is it. As a Coog fan I'm torn but still aggravated.

 

I have been paying close attention for our defense since December. If Sampson is the brain behind our "defensively system," we are better off without him.

 

Okay this is like if my daughter gets in trouble at school and I decide to tell the principal it's my wife's fault for not disciplining her. Grow some freaking balls Mchale! What a freaking coward.

 

I think Sloan would be a huge mistake. He's too old school for guys like Howard and Harden plus he is actually really old. I think we should try to get SVG or Thibodeau. The Bulls are cheap and his contract is up so Les might have a real chance at landing him if he throws a bunch of money his way.

 

Your moniker is perfect for that post. Seriously, don't think Dwight could abide by either of them, given past history and what was said about the Orlando situation (by both brothers).