http://www.nba.com/rockets/news/qa-kevin-mchale-part-i Also: <a href="http://bbs.clutchfans.net/showthread.php?t=225842">Part 2</a>
one of the more uncomfortable interviews i've read from jason. perhaps it reads worse than it sounds live...?
No, he clearly is NOT excited for this team's promise and that irks me quite a lot, too. He also is clearly not excited about Lin or Omer as well.
Yeah, it's weird. Every question of his seemed like directing into a positive approach but McHale still said negative things.
Stop the presses, the coach is actually competitive and wants to win?! God forbid, that type of attitude of his might actually taint the minds of our rookies and young players, as opposed to the loser mentality of this message board. The horror!
By whining about the lack of veterans, McHale is lowering expectations and front loading excuses for poor team play. It's the same thing that T-Mac used to specialize in. It doesn't matter whether it's true or not. A head coach should not be publicly undercutting the front office in that manner. Period. Need more proof? Read the quote again, but imagine that T-Mac is saying those words, not McHale.
Man I wish we still had Adelman. Hopefully Mchale quits early in the season... then we can see our younglings develop
Lowering expectations? What for? Rockets fans already expect... or more accurately, actually hope for a bottomless season. You cheer for it. So what's more to lower? What McHale is doing is what he has always done: speak his mind, and tell the truth. The good news for McHale is I think this team will pleasantly surprise him. The bad news for you is I think this team will pleasantly surprise him.
Successful people expect the worst and prepare for the best. Unsuccessful people expect the best and prepare for the worst.
Yeah, all the talk about how he wishes he had other stuff than what he got stuck with is pretty off-putting to me too. It'll be interesting to see what happens with McHale...If the losses start piling up next season who knows how he'll handle his frustration. He was already second-guessing his decision to coach last year when things got a little rough, and now he's in for an even bumpier ride...
The thing that stood out to me is the part that when you're losing, the solution is always work harder. Now, I like the no-nonsense approach and putting emphasis on working hard but that is also hiding from taking responsibility. It could also mean that your sets don't work, you're not putting guys in their proper position, you're not allowing them to play the right style that fits them, you're not playing certain guys enough or not the right ones together etc. I am afraid McHale is very limited in his thinking and his options (sets) so not very optimistic. Then again, Rudy T did wonders in the early 90s but not much with the end 90s / beginning of 2000s. At least he adapted to the team / players though and did it with a smile. Since many are down on McHale's reaction to not having veterans and sounding like he's not excited, how was Rudy T during those years with the young guns (2000-2003)?