Is Rex Kalamian better choice for Houston Rockets Head Coach?
By Tamberlyn Richardson
Last week the Houston Rockets interviewed Rex Kalamian an assistant coach on the Toronto Raptors.
While many assume Mike D’Antonio was the man earmarked to fill the open head coaching position perhaps the powers that be (Read: owner: Leslie Alexander and General Manager: Daryl Morey) might want to hold off on that decision.
The Toronto Raptors are currently in a position last seasons Houston Rockets found themselves in: among the final 4 competing in the Conference Finals.
Much of their success can be isolated to the upgrades made in the Associate Coaching positions which were filled by Andy Greer who was one of Tom Thibodeau’s key defensive guys in Chicago. Kalamian who previously worked under Scott Brooks in Oklahoma City was brought on to add more offensive punch.
His relationship with Kyle Lowry has been key to the captain of the Raptors success this season. Sure Lowry has struggled at times, but witness the egg sized bulge on his elbow and truthfully I’m surprised he can shoot at all.
Dan Feldman of NBC Sports reported on the interview:
Sources told ESPN.com that Rockets owner Leslie Alexander and general manager Daryl Morey traveled to Cleveland to hold separate interviews with Toronto Raptors assistant coach Rex Kalamian, Charlotte Hornets assistant Stephen Silas and Memphis Grizzlies assistant Jeff Bzdelik.
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Go back to the first series when Lowry and DeMar DeRozan were both struggling with their shots due to injuries. It was Kalamian who met them for a late night shoot around to focus on their fundamentals. Kalamian is the type of coach who helps players fundamentally, but also who gains their respect.
Though I doubt the Rockets would seriously entertain him as head coach (and ultimately hope he stays with the Raptors) he sure makes more sense as a candidate for Houston than D’Antoni who has historically quit on teams not even bothering to wait to get fired. (just my personal opinion).
Make sure you check out the current Space City Scoop series including our year end player analysis, draft prospects worthy of Rockets picking or trading for and our end of season Rockets Round Table:
Next: Houston Rockets SCS Roundtable Part 1
Next: Houston Rockets SCS Roundtable Part 2
Next: Houston Rockets SCS Roundtable Part 3
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