Defensive switch has a positive matchup
Former assistant Bzdelik will return in same capacity
INDIANAPOLIS — At least one part of the Rockets’ successful defensive formula last season will soon be back.
Jeff Bzdelik, the associate head coach who molded the Rockets’ defense into one of the NBA’s best then abruptly retired days before the start of training camp, on Monday agreed to return to the team, owner Tilman Fertitta said.
Bzdelik agreed to a contract for the remainder of the season to serve in the same role. It is undetermined when he will be back in a full-time capacity, but coach Mike D’Antoni said Bzdelik will begin consulting with the team immediately and participate in a few practices before he has to step away “for some obligations.” The Rockets expect Bzdelik to join the team full-time by the end of November.
“Just really happy he’s coming back,” D’Antoni said. “It’s great. Pick up where we left off.”
Fertitta had been in frequent contact with Bzdelik about coming out of his retirement since before the season opener as Bzdelik addressed a personal issue unrelated to coaching.
“I was extremely disappointed when Jeff left,” Fertitta said. “This didn’t have anything to do (with the start). I was extremely disappointed he retired. Mike would say the same thing. When things started the way they did, things became more urgent. But we wanted him back.”
Fertitta did not comment about the substance of their discussions or Bzdelik’s initial decision to step
away, but said he believed Bzdelik was important to the Rockets’ 65-win season last season and current goals.
“I think that Mike is one of the great offensive minds, but it takes chemistry to win 65 games,” Fertitta said. “Jeff is one of the missing pieces, and we’re just glad to have him back. Mike’s thrilled to have him back. Mike is excited. He felt he could contribute, and we’re all happy to have him back.”
The Rockets improved to the sixth-ranked defense in the NBA last season, ranking third in the second half of the season.
“We still love Jeff around here,” guard Eric Gordon said. “We’re glad he’s back. He’s a good guy for our organization. It’s really good to have him back.”
The Rockets got off to a poor start this season, losing five of their first six games, but have shown signs of significant progress in the two games before playing the Pacers on Monday night. They held the Bulls to seven points in the third quarter Saturday night — one more than the fewest allowed by a Rockets team in a quarter.
The Rockets’ defense in the first two games of their road trip would be ranked sixth if for the full regular season, but they went into Monday night’s contest in Indianapolis against the Pacers with the 21st-ranked defense in the NBA.
D’Antoni said the Rockets’ defensive schemes had not changed since last season, with the tweaks in the games prior to Monday more about when to switch assignments.
“It’s nothing that we’re doing different than we did before,” D’Antoni said. “It’s the same thing. We have newer players, and it takes a while. The last three games, much better. We have rookies and new players. It takes a while. Last year, we trended between 12 and 18 for a long time. Then we finally got it up to six. We went through our pains. We still have some growing pains and stuff to do.”
Bzdelik, 65, was a head coach with the Denver Nuggets and had been an assistant in Washington, New York, Miami and Memphis before joining D’Antoni with the Rockets.
“I’m really happy because I know his passion,” Rockets center Clint Capela said. “Whenever we talked about defense last year — every practice, before every game, during every game — I always felt his energy. Personally, it impacted me every single time.
“Now, to know he’s coming back, I’m thrilled. I’m excited.”