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

has anyone seen cyberx and maury in the same room? just saying.

 

From CSNNW: "Kevin McHale made very little adjustments on the defensive end despite two whole days to prepare. Portland scored at will. Dwight Howard is stuck trying to clean up the broken assignments of his teammates. That falls on McHale, who is focusing more on offense rather than the area that’s hurting them most. Plain and simple, Terry Stotts is kicking his ass."

http://www.csnnw.com/blazers/blazers-take-commanding-2-0-series-lead-heading-home

 

I heard that comment. What a load of BS. Aldridge was taking a ton of time to make his moves. The moment he got the ball, the Rockets could've easily run someone else at him and forced him to give it up or dribble into a double team. They chose not to which means McHale is either lying or not watching the game.

 

McHale is clearly out of his league. He was supposed to be a transitional coach to bridge the gap until we were ready to start contending.

Now that we're ready to start contending (arguably, anyway...), it's time to bring in a real coach.

 

We must haven't treated Sampson very well. In common sense he'd help through the transition period even if it's just doing a favor with good relationship. I never heard of any assitant coach leaving before playoff like this...

 

The drama in the Rockets FO just got very interesting. Maybe something to tide us over this disaster of a postseason.

 

Never going to happen. He hates stats and plays a mid-range game. He verbally got into it on the practice court with John Hollinger.

I personally think Morey needs to be held accountable

 

or even better, McHale needs to tell our guys to put Aldridge's back on the floor EVERY SINGLE DAMN SHOT. You get physical with guys on offense and it will affect them. I don't care who you are.

 

Bring in JVG.

 

and on the other side we all saw portland actually doubling harden even before receiving the ball. in one instance dwight even got a driving dunk out of it.

 

Lionel Hollins or Stan. JVG would actually be a good fit as well(loved the PNR)!

 

It doesn't even have to come to that. But to never make a single defensive adjustment(and no, putting a different player on him in the same one-on-one situation does not count) for 2 straight games means one of two things. McHale either doesn't want to double team Aldridge or he's telling his players to double him and they're ignoring him or incapable of executing. If it's scenario #1, then he needs to just own up to it. I can respect his decision even if I disagree with it. If it's scenario #2, he has no business being a head coach in any league much less the NBA.

 

You could say that was badly coached but still better than our guys.

 

I was thinking this too. We've got 6 fouls in DMO that could be used.

 

If Morey's the leak you have to get rid of him. He's a cursed as a lutheran. If what the source says is true than you need to get rid of McHale too.

 

So the keys to this team winning are a role player PG and an assistant coach?

Nice job, management.

 

I agree with this. Nothing flagrant, but if you are going to be called for silly ticky tack fouls anyways, you might as well make it feel good... just a little bit.

 

Do you think poppovich would use this as an excuse? Sounds like a desperate attempt to keep his job. I dont expect him to be great, or even good but this effort is deplorable. Looks like sampson was the one who put in the work reviewing tape.

I am upset uh did this and could not wait until the end of the season to make him the offer. But all they have really done is speed up the need for change.

 

How quickly things can change for coaches in this league. We all knew that McHale was more of a figurehead and emotional leader than the actual architect of the system they run, but damn.... its really starting to unravel at the seems in the span of 3 weeks after Sampson left.

However, if you go back and see what happened the past two years in the last month of every season McHale has coached this team, and seen how poorly the team adjusts to the game changing to more "playoff style" basketball, maybe we shouldn't be that surprised.

Look, I see one of two things occurring after the season (assuming the Rockets get bounced in 5 or 6 games which I believe they have a 95% chance of doing)

1. Morey and Les have another candidate in mind they want to take over this team that they have probably been keeping an eye on for some time anyways.
2. Morey and Les are able to bring in someone of pretty large stature (I'm thinking Scott Skiles or Lawrence Frank types) to be Sampson's replacement.

In case #2, I can see McHale and the other assistants not really being too pleased about since they know the new coach they bring in will likely undermine what they have installed on both ends, and could cause some friction with a new alpha dog voice in the mix. However, I still think its just as likely of happening as case #1 if not more likely if Morey and Les see the relationship McHale has with the players worth trying to salvage.

 

McHale is gone unless the Rockets pull off a miracle.