Houston in advanced talks with Kevin McHale (UPDATE: Done Deal)

Maybe it's time people start doing some digging on the guy. I know I have heard his name tossed around, but knew zilch.

This bit is interesting:

"Finch is a 1992 graduate of Franklin & Marshall College in Lancaster, PA, where he was an NCAA Division III All-American in 1991 and 1992.[4] In 1991, as one of the best defenders in nation, he helped lead the F&M Diplomats to the NCAA Division III championship game in Springfield Ohio, where the team lost to Wisconsin-Platteville. Finch ranks among the school's all-time leaders in points, rebounds, assists, blocks and steals.[5]"

Fella seems like a winner almost everywhere, at least according to the somewhat sparse Wiki entry, but he has been a success, and he is only 41, so not crusty and old, but also not needing a 'babysitter' as people like saying. And maybe he has some defensive chops as well as knowing RA's offense too, so Morey may be on to something with CF.

And it doesn't hurt that his initials are CF, right?

:grin:

 

I'll be very interested to hear the press conference afterwards. I'd like to know the reasoning behind this decision.

 

I like the hire...depending on the contract length. If he does well after two years, then extend him...or else replace him with Finch or whoever.

 

I've always disliked this guy, he was the only person I did not want. What do the Rockets have against black coaches? When was the last time we hired one? I could understand the Jazz never hiring a black coach, but not the Rockets!!!

Oh, and my response to McHale......

Spoiler

Noooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

Pugs

 

More? He was already playing like 35+ mins a game...

 

my first choice was Casey, but I'm ok with McHale

liked him for his commentary but not sure how'll he perform as a coach

I am open to give him a chance...2-3 years max

 

It is not a bad decision from those three. McHale at least has a market image, and the MG experience, he should be on the same page with Morey for this young team. It is much better hiring than Lakers, which make me happy for a few days.

 

The real reasoning is that he was the best candidate available.

All that stuff about him being a motivator and leader is rubbish because Rick the ruler had those qualities in abundance.
Here are the reasons why he was picked:

-Well liked/good relationship amongst peers and other GMs.
This will allow Daryl to bring in "the face" when he's vying for trades.

-Willing to think long term development and perhaps take a loss short term.
Since that is part of his expectations coming in, he won't have to worry about his job security for a couple years.

-Good big man coach. We have Thabeet, Pat, and Hill all having the physical tools to really improve with some personal attention from one of the best low post players.

-As a previous GM, he gets the big picture. Morey and his stat crew will be a little bit more in-tune with the coach.

 

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The Rockets have had three successive coaches who, in my opinion, are among the greatest to coach in the NBA in the past 20 years:

Rudy T
Jeff Van Gundy
Rick Adelman

Before that, the Rockets' head coach WAS black. His name is Don Cheney. He won NBA Coach of the Year in 1990-91.

Playing the race card here is just unwarranted.

 

All valid points. In the end the rockets need talent and its going to take several years and several smart moves and patience to get there.

 

Just looking at Finch's credentials, he seems like a heck of a reach for head-coach-in-waiting. He's competing (and winning, apparently) against guys who have had years and years of assistant coaching experience in the NBA. He will have had 2 years. And, he has 0 years at the time the bet is being placed. Morey can always reverse himself later and not promote Finch, but his players are going to be operating under the assumption that he is the heir-apparent in the meantime. Why should Morey choose this guy with only minor league experience and little respect around the league over guys who have lots of NBA experience and lot of NBA respect? Maybe Morey found a hidden jewel of a coach, but it is one hell of a reach.

 

We need a superstar player so bad.

 

Surprising. I expected 2 with an option.

 

Curious who his coaching staff is going to be.

 

McHale contract same as Adelman's per Feigen

 

Three sounds about right, but I was expecting two with an option as well.

 

If the rumors that McHale is willing to give the front office input into his coaching hires, that's also probably a point in his favor. McHale doesn't strike me as terribly bright, but if he's willing to delegate the nuts and bolts of offense and defense to his assistants, the organization can put some good ones around him. McHale's role will be to inspire, motivate, and educate.