Houston Rockets fans have their say: Head Coach Thoughts

In recent weeks Houston Rockets fans visited Space City Scoop offering insight and sharing their passion. The Editor was so impressed by their opinions, it was decided those entries should be featured for the wider audience to enjoy. Up next readers responded passionately about what the team should be looking for in a new Head Coach.

In an effort to share those thoughts with the loyal Space City Scoop readers the best of your offerings have been compiled and will be featured for all to enjoy. And hey if any of you would like to bring your talents to the site on a regular basis, we’d love to add you to the team!

To that end, the next in this series looked at fans thoughts regarding what Houston Rockets General Manager Daryl Morey and Owner Leslie Alexander should seek when filling the vacant head coach position.

Head Coach Short List

In response to the Joshua Van Horn’s article: Houston Rockets List of Coaching Candidates Shortens:

Rain is Falling opined:

We really do not need another stint with Van Gundy. He’s a great defensive coach but overall…meh

With a second entry of:

It may be a short-lived sigh of relief if they signed a crappy coach. I’m in favor of Scott Brooks, he’s already won a championship in Houston and he’s a very good coach. Whether he brings Durant here or not, I still like to have him.

John from Houston:

I said all along that Tom T was never a serious option to come work for our current GM. I agree that if Brooks was important to Durant, that Brooks would still be in OKC. I don’t know if he is the coach we need or not. OKC was never known for running a really great system. I think of OKC and I think of getting out talented. Not out coached. I don’t see JVG working for our current GM either. I would like them to talk to Mario Ellie, simply because a few years ago he said if he was coach that he would challenge Harden to lose a few pounds. I think they should also talk to Kevin Ollie.

Mar 29, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder head coach Scott Brooks argues with a referee against the Phoenix Suns at US Airways Center. The Thunder defeated the Suns 109-97. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /

In another article that updated Scott Brooks signing with Washington

John From Houston offered:

I’ll say this, if the Rockets do sign JVG, it’s clear that Alexander has hobbled Morey’s control over on court philosophy. I said all along that Tom T was never a serious candidate for many reasons for Houston. I don’t think McHale ran the type of system he truly wanted to, and the same for JBB.

Why would JVG come back to work for the GM that ran him off and forces his coaches to play exactly the opposite of the principals his teams believed in most under his control? I wasn’t a big fan of Brooks as a coach, so,let him got DC. If Durant wanted Brooks to be his coach, Brooks would still be his coach. I hope this coaching search gets more out of the box than JVG and Mark Jackson.

Apr 21, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Rockets head coach J.B. Bickerstaff talks with guard Patrick Beverley (2) during the first quarter against the Golden State Warriors in game three of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports /

Head Coach Criteria

And in response to Joshua Van Horn’s article Houston Rockets Head Coach Criteria:

John From Houston offered:

Am I the only one that remembers D Morey running JVG out of town and hiring a coach with the exact opposite basketball philosophies? After Adelman, I think McHale had to run an analytics driven team in order to be the head coach. Something tells me one of the greatest Big-Men of All Time doesn’t go to sleep dreaming of a team that passes up an entry pass for a guy who shoots 25% from deep.

More from Space City Scoop

JBB is just riding out what is already in place. If Alexander hires JVG, (now that Tom T and Brooks are gone) it’s clear that he has taken away some of Morey’s power over team strategy and philosophy. Tom T is looking for autonomous control in Minnesota, I just don’t see JVG coming in, or any big name experienced coach unless Morey is put in check.

While Weirdbeard suggested:

I agree with John from Houston. JVG couldn’t get it done last time. With the attitude and chemistry problems of THESE Rockets, what makes anyone think this time will be better? My confidence in next season left the building and headed to Minnesota along with Tom T. Hopefully the Basketball Gods will send us a savior, but I’m not holding my breath…

Miscellaneous

Though not specific to the above articles I decided to tack this one on to the coaching comments:

In response to our year end round table this succinct offering came from Bill Taylor:

Daryl Morey needs to go. What smart general manager would give a No 1draft pick for a another ball dominant guard. That’s just common sense. Why draft another power forward when you have too many already Didn’t address team needs in the Draft. Rockets will never get past 1st with Morey calling the shots. He lacks a critical skills needed to build a championship team.

Jan 15, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Broadcast analyst Jeff Van Gundy before a game between the Houston Rockets and the Cleveland Cavaliers at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports /

Suffice to say it’s easy to see how invested the Rockets fan base is. Moreover, many point to the issues surrounding having a solid head coach who the players will not only listen to, but respond.

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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