Veteran coach D’Antoni emerges as leader for Rockets job
Maestro of up-tempo offense emerges as front-runner for job
As determined as the Rockets have been to patiently work their way through their coaching search, they could soon be doing things in “seven seconds or less.”
Mike D’Antoni, the architect of the Phoenix Suns’ celebrated high-paced and highscoring offense a decade ago, has emerged as a favorite for the Rockets’ coaching position, two individuals with knowledge of the team’s thinking said on the condition of anonymity because of the private nature of the process.
D’Antoni has had multiple conversations with Rockets officials, including owner Leslie Alexander, building momentum to be selected, though several individuals with knowledge of the process said no negotiations have started and no additional formal meetings are scheduled.
Another individual with knowledge of the team’s thinking said there are two other coaches who can be also be considered top contenders for the position.
The Rockets have not put together a firm short list of candidates, a person with knowledge of the process said, adding that there is one additional coach who could receive a first interview. But another individual familiar with the team’s thinking, when asked if D’Antoni should be considered the favorite, said, “I would agree with that.”
D’Antoni, who became the associate head coach with the 76ers last season, has been celebrated for driving the NBA toward high-paced spread offenses used by the Rockets and long favored by Alexander. In the Suns’ three best seasons under D’Antoni, from 2004-05 to 2006-07, they ranked second, third and fourth in net rating, with a middle-of-the-pack defense and a trend-setting offense that was a forerunner of the spread style now used throughout the NBA. Defensive aide wanted
Part of the remaining process would be to line up a staff, including a top defensive specialist. Improving the Rockets’ defense is a point of emphasis in the team’s search for a new coach, general manager Daryl Morey has said. Grizzlies assistant Jeff Bzdelik could be among the coaches considered to fit that role, a person with knowledge of the talks said. The Rockets have not received permission to interview Bzdelik, another person involved in the process said.
Conversations about top assistants are not unique to the talks with D’Antoni. Another individual familiar with the process said considerations of the entire coaching staff, rather than just the head coach given the job, have been an important part of talks with every candidate.
The Rockets have met with former Suns coach Jeff Hornacek (who appears on his way to the Knicks job), former Cavaliers coach David Blatt, Clippers assistant Sam Cassell, Hornets assistant Stephen Silas, and Rockets assistant Chris Finch. Former Pacers coach Frank Vogel and Spurs assistant Ettore Messina are also part of the process, a person with knowledge of talks said.
Rockets interim coach J.B. Bickerstaff and former Rockets guard Kenny Smith were also interviewed, but Bickerstaff withdrew from consideration, and Smith was told he was no longer a candidate as the Rockets decided to focus on coaches with either head coaching experience or extensive experience as an assistant. Van Gundy out of picture
There had been some mutual interest in a reunion with former Rockets coach Jeff Van Gundy, but no meetings have been held or scheduled, and Van Gundy is not considered a candidate for the position.
D’Antoni has coached the Rockets’ stars, Dwight Howard and James Harden, with very different results.
D’Antoni was the Lakers’ coach in Howard’s one unhappy season in Los Angeles, a likely consideration when Howard weighs whether to become a free agent and makes a decision about his next contract if he does. D’Antoni also ran much of the offense for Mike Krzyzewski with the USA Basketball Olympic team that included Harden in 2012 and was widely respected by the members of that team.
Morey spent time with D’Antoni at the 2015 Sloan Conference in Boston, getting to know him for the first time though not with any idea he would have a job open so soon after the Rockets’ best season since the 1990s.
Several steps remain before the Rockets move toward more serious negotiations. But with the search for a successor to Kevin McHale and Bickerstaff in its third week, at least one favorite has become clear, with the Rockets hoping to make and land their choice within a week.