What they’re saying
Reaction from around the NBA on Kevin McHale’s firing: As we always say in a bromide sort of way, it’s a volatile business and sometimes it doesn’t make sense, like Kevin McHale getting fired.” — San Antonio Spurs coach Gregg Popovich … but you go to the Western Conference finals and 11 games in, you lost the locker room? I find that hard to believe.” — Denver coach Mike Malone He’s an old-school guy. He had a great work ethic as a player. As far as coaching, he related really well to the big players in this league, whether it was Kevin Garnett or Dwight Howard or whoever.” — Portland coach Terry Stotts It’s just hard to believe that something could happen at this stage to a guy who took a team unexpectedly to the conference finals last year. To have this happen after just 11 games is just preposterous. But Kevin will be fine. There will be a lot of people wanting to hire him. I can tell you that.” — Dallas coach Rick Carlisle Kevin has been one of the most underrated coaches in the NBA the last few years. Last year I think people started noticing all the great things that Kevin did, but I still think he’s one of the most overlooked coaches around … but the bottom line is the team wasn’t winning.” — Celtics president Danny Ainge It’s a crazy league. I think McHale is a great coach and an unbelievable guy. Obviously, they’re having their struggles early, but I didn’t see that coming.” — Former Rocket Chandler Parsons The guy was just in the (Western Conference) finals five months ago and (now) he sucks after 11 games? … I just think it’s the GM covering his own and Kevin McHale got screwed, plain and simple.” — TNT analyst and former Rocket Charles Barkley I’m not liking what I’m seeing. I put it all on their players, particularly their best two players.”— ESPN analyst and former NBA player Jalen Rose If Howard and Harden are your best leaders and your two best players, you’re probably not going to win a championship. This is a player issue. The leadership in the locker room is what got Kevin McHale fired … the lack of leadership.”— ESPN analyst and former NBA player Chauncey Billups I think this is more about the players than the coach.”— Former Rocket Tracy McGrady