Longtime Houstonian John Lucas joins the Rockets’ staff as the head of player development.
Houstonian was on D’Antoni’s staff in 1998 while in Denver
The Rockets have long seen John Lucas’ hand in the success of players around the NBA. Now they plan to get his celebrated influence working for them.
Lucas, a former star guard in Houston and a long-time NBA coach and mentor, will join the Rockets’ staff as head of player development, a person with knowledge of the deal said Wednesday. The individual spoke on the condition of anonymity because the agreement had not been announced.
Lucas will lead a Rockets player development program designed to work with players “on and off the court,” according to an individual familiar with the plan. The Rockets plan to add additional player development staff, with some of Lucas’ role still to be determined.
The Rockets had introduced assistant coaches Jeff Bzdelik and Roy Rogers at the news conference to announce the hiring of Mike D’Antoni.
Rogers’ representatives completed talks with general manager Daryl Morey on his contract this week, though Morey and D’Antoni already had referred to him and Bzdelik — whose contract was competed along with D’Antoni’s — as part of the staff.
D’Antoni had hoped to complete his staff before the Rockets arrive in Las Vegas for summer league July 7. Bringing aboard Lucas, who was on D’Antoni’s staff in Denver in 1998, was considered a key part of that.
Lucas has worked with players on every level in Houston, with many NBA players traveling in the offseason to be a part of his program. In recent years, his work with Los Angeles Clippers center and Houston native DeAndre Jordan, Indiana forward Thaddeus Young, Cleveland forward Tristan Thompson and Miami center Hassan Whiteside has been considered especially noteworthy.
Whiteside is considered one of the most coveted free-agent targets in the NBA this summer.
Athletes and coaches also have sought Lucas’ guidance in battling substance abuse and a wide variety of other issues ranging from anger management to conditioning.
Lucas, whose own drug and alcohol abuse shortened his playing career after the Rockets made him the first pick of the 1976 draft out of Maryland, worked with guard Ty Lawson last season. Lucas attended most Rockets home practices but did not have an official role with the team.
Lucas, 62, played five seasons with the Rockets and also played for Golden State, Milwaukee, Washington, San Antonio and Seattle. He was a head coach of the Spurs, 76ers and Cavaliers before focusing his efforts on John Lucas Enterprises’ “Wellness and Aftercare” instruction in Houston. He also formed STAND (Students Taking Action Not Drugs) to offer counseling and other programs.
Lucas, who also was a professional tennis player, retired from the NBA in 1990, ranking 10th in career assists at the time. He went 173-258 as an NBA head coach, taking over struggling teams at all three stops. His success since leaving Cleveland is seen around the league, with the Rockets hoping to put it to work for them.