Houston Rockets lose key member of coaching staff to Europe

Former NBA players don't always make great coaches.

It's been said that those who can't do, teach. So, it stands to reason that those who can do cannot teach. LeBron James cannot teach anyone how to be a human locomotive with a basketball computer for a brain.

Often, former role players make for better coaches. Take Tiago Splitter. He was a hard-nosed role player during his time in the NBA, and a key assistant for the Houston Rockets in 2023-24.

Ahead of the 2024-25 season, they've lost him.

Houston Rockets assistant is heading for greener pastures

Let's take a moment to be happy for Splitter. He's going to be the new Head Coach of Paris Basketball.

He's certainly earned his spot. Splitter started playing professional basketball in 1999. He spent roughly a decade playing overseas before joining the NBA in 2010-11.

Following his NBA debut, he'd spent most of his seven NBA seasons under Gregg Popovich with the San Antonio Spurs. That's quite the coaching pedigree. Popovich is arguably the best coach in NBA history.

Splitter wasn't a star. His most productive individual season came in 2012-13 when he averaged 10.3 points, 6.4 rebounds, 0.8 blocks, and 0.8 steals per game.

He was a sturdy, reliable hand. Splitter had an advanced understanding of defensive positioning. He could protect the rim in drop coverage, and he could also defend at the level. At times, he was the legendary Tim Duncan's backup, but Splitter also played alongside him. That experience served him well in the NBA.

Can the Rockets survive without him?

Houston Rockets should wish Splitter well

Of course.

Let's be honest - it's unlikely that the Rockets will notice Splitter's absence. That's not a knock on Splitter. It's a comment on the nature of assistant coaches.

Splitter imparted most of his knowledge on the young Rockets last season. Now, he'll spread it elsewhere. The Rockets should be sad to see him go, but also happy to see him earn a larger opportunity:

He's one former player who's made a fine coach.