If I remember correctly he was an Adelman protégé ? (Princeton offense). That's far from what MDA does ….
Pretty sure the push for Finch to become lead assistant was the reason Adelman resigned. Never heard that he was a protege. Maybe he learned some about the Princeton offense.
Read the story. I'm sold... https://sircharlesincharge.com/2019/05/22/san-antonio-spurs-ettore-messina-chance/
wow, didn't realize that. has he made public statements to that effect? i take your word for it. That's really disappointing. Hell, i'm not a huge fan of our style either. but it's still a helluva team to coach.
I believe he originally wanted Budenholzer over D'Antoni, so I think another Popovich disciple that's willing to embrace Morey-ball analytics would be the ideal fit. Better question might be who Tillman prefers instead. Last time Morey didn't get his pick for head coach after McHale was fired. It'll be interesting to see if Tillman lets Morey get his pick or if Morey will ultimately have to concede the final say to the owner again. I do wonder if Morey's analytics are also working on the ideal defense to counter the growing trend of 3s and layups he helped create. If so, I do wonder if there is a particular head coach he has in mind that is a defensive coaching savant.
Morey has never been able to pick his own head coach. Les asked Morey and his associates for a list of candidates and Les picked who he liked ultimately. Morey has pushed for Coach Bud in the past. Les liked MDA... Morey discussed Silas/Hollins as a combo... Les choose MDA because Les preferred the style of play. Morey in the past has said the ideal candidate is a younger coach that shares a similar philosophy as the front office and has a natural talent to adapt. He discussed Carlisle and Stevens as being two coaches that the Rockets have had interest in the past but the timing was off.
Hollins has been saying all the right things on the radio when I hear him get interviewed. He says he's learned some lessons from his past and can also function in a modern NBA where everybody's starting to jack 3's. I honestly think he's saying it to get back into the NBA. With that being said, I agree with you -- I don't think he'd do well on this team. And not only because of the style of offense. Hollins has had problems getting along with people up and down organizations from what I've heard. When he gets frustrated with the play of his team, it's like he turns into an enemy of the team or something. I've read the Nets damn-near threw a party when he got canned, they were so tired of dealing with him.
He was on xm nba radio one Saturday morning. I never listen to it on the weekends but randomly was and he spent about 10 minutes talking about how it won’t work, why it won’t work, etc. it was actually pretty well thought out. Stuff like having guys in the corner all the time not moving meaning they’re less able to help and get back on long rebounds or turnovers. It wasn’t hating as much as just analysis. My feel from it was he was definitely not a fan.
For anyone interested, I found this in a post from a few years ago, right before the Rockets selected D'Antoni for coach. These are the candidates at that point who had either been interviewed or were going to be interviewed for the Rockets' head coaching position : J.B. Bickerstaff Kenny Smith Sam Cassell David Blatt Jeff Hornacek Chris Finch Stephen Silas Mike D'Antoni Rex Kalamain Jeff Bzdelik James Borrego (scheduled) Adrian Griffin (scheduled)
Bring in Shane Battier, a true Rocket that actually bled Rocket red. Plus, if we are ever in a bind, he can suit up and play backup 3.
Hear me out. But I’d love to see Brent Barry as coach. Smart basketball player who played 15 years. And well respected by all accounts. Been around the NBA since he was a kid thanks to his HOF dad. Won multiple championships under one of the greatest coaches of all time. (Popovich). Currently working in the front office for the Spurs. If that’s not a Steve Kerr path, I don’t know what is. A head coach is basically an ego manager anyways. Surround him with some X’s and O’s Guys.
