Daily Rocket Science: Management and fans in discord

The interests of the fans and the interests of the Houston Rockets’ management are reportedly in conflict with each other.

The Houston Rockets are still without a head coach, and some fans are getting restless. I, for one, believe it wouldn’t hurt to hold off on hiring somebody until free agency has played itself out, but that doesn’t seem to be the popular opinion.

Today’s Daily Rocket Science will look at the dissonance between the desires of the loudest fans and the desires of management.

Houston Rockets news and notes from around the web

Former Rocket and owner of two championship rings Kenny Smith seems to be a fan favorite for the coaching spot despite his lack of experience. James Herbert of CBA Sports reported that fans rallied outside of the Toyota Center yesterday afternoon, chanting, “We want Kenny!”

"Smith, 51, has never coached, but he is beloved in Houston because he played for the Rockets from 1990 to 1996, starting at point guard as they won their back-to-back championships in 1994 and 1995. that his interview with Rockets owner Leslie Alexander and general manager Daryl Morey on Tuesday lasted 2 1/2 to three hours and was a “great meeting.” He told Fox 26"

Despite what the fans are saying, Bleacher Report’s Timothy Rapp reported that the frontrunner for the position is former Rockets coach Jeff Van Gundy. Van Gundy coached Yao Ming and Tracy McGrady during their heyday and has a respectable coaching career under his belt.

Gery Woelfel of the Racine Journal Times reported Jeff Van Gundy “remains a finalist and may indeed be the front-runner” for the Rockets head coaching job.

On April 27, Adrian Wojnarowski of The Vertical reported the Rockets are expected to go “big-game hunting” for their next coach, and their search will begin with Van Gundy.

More from Space City Scoop

Nobody really knows what route the Rockets will take with their head coach, but that is far from all the team has to have figured out by the time next season rolls around. Bobby Marks of The Vertical provided fans with a comprehensive look at everything Houston will have to look at in order to have a productive summer.

There’s more to the NBA than “looking good on paper.” When Dwight Howard joined James Harden in 2013, it certainly looked good on paper.

The most difficult evaluation on a free agent or trade target is not the scouting report or what the numbers show. It is the personality fit that can really make a difference. All-Stars who are headstrong and stubborn often do not mesh with players who are more laidback.

If a decision is made on who to hire for a head coach before free agency hits, it could greatly affect the Rockets’ success in the market. I say hold off and offer prospects the ability to have some say in who is hired, but that looks unlikely at this point.

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Next: Year End Review: Dwight Howard

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