The world learned on Monday that Rick Adelman would not have his contract renewed by the Houston Rockets after a 43-39 season that saw the club miss the NBA Playoffs for the second straight year. The separation is being billed as a mutual decision; Richard Justice of the Houston Chronicle writes that Adelman had tired of coaching a roster in constant churn, while the Rockets' management had tired of watching him coach the roster.
Rick Adelman Departure Could Result In Rockets Chasing Magic’s Stan Van Gundy, Says Report
What's next for Houston? Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! reports that, should the Orlando Magic flame out of the playoffs and Stan Van Gundy become available, the Rockets would make a run. Van Gundy's brother Jeff was Adelman's predecessor in Houston, and the break-up wasn't exactly smiles and wine. It's unclear whether that -- or a roster largely devoid of strong defenders -- would have any impact Houston's play.
Sam Amick of SI.com reports that Adelman assistants Elston Turner and Jack Sikma will be considered for the job, as well. Houston GM Daryl Morey is the figurehead of the NBA’s analytic movement, and Amick reports that Adelman’s unwillingness to buy into the data the way Morey did was a pitfall in their relationship. Turner and Sikma are both former players; Morey seems like the type of GM who would be quick to consider a coach with a non-traditional background, himself being a GM with a non-traditional background.
For more on the Rockets, visit The Dream Shake and SB Nation Houston.
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