NBA insider reveals what Rockets are seeking from next coach

The Houston Rockets' 2022-23 season came to a close on Sunday, following a 114-109 victory over the Washington Wizards. The Rockets ended the campaign with a 22-60 record, which ranked 14th in the Western Conference, and saw head coach Stephen Silas essentially get canned.

Although the Rockets closed the year on a three-game winning streak, it was a case of too-little too-late, as the 49-year-old's fate had already been decided. There had been rumblings throughout the season of who exactly the Rockets might want to succeed Silas at the end of the season and what exactly they were looking for in their next head coach.

NBA insider reveals what Rockets are seeking from next coach

On Sunday, CBS Sports and NBA TV analyst Greg Anthony explained what exactly the Rockets will need from Silas' replacement on NBA TV's NBA Playoff Preview. 

"So you're gonna have to have a really strong voice in that locker room that's gonna hold guys accountable and force them to defend. Cause they've got personnel that can defend, they just didn't defend. 

And that's gotta change first and foremost, if you're the Houston Rockets."

Speaking of defense, the Rockets ranked 29th in defensive rating in 2022-23, which is identical to their 2021-22 finish in the same statistical category. And when you factor in the Rockets' 27th-ranked finish in the same column in 2020-21, it's easy to see exactly why the Rockets struggled to win games (at least part of the reason).

A quick gander at the Rockets' potential wishlist of coaching candidates shows that the front office is in unison with Anthony’s assessment of much-needed reinforcements on the defensive end. The Rockets are rumored to have interest in Toronto Raptors head coach Nick Nurse, former Boston Celtics head coach Ime Udoka, and former Los Angeles Lakers head coach Frank Vogel, two of which have won championships by prioritizing defense and all of which reached the NBA Finals, at the very least.

Silas had also emphasized defense, often expressing frustration with the group's lack of principles on that end, and even hired Lionel Hollins to his staff, who is known for his defensive prowess with the Memphis Grizzlies and also served on Vogel's Lakers staff that ranked third in defensive efficiency during their championship season. 

In other words, Greg Anthony’s wish will likely come true.