The Rockets are scheduled to meet with Tyronn Lue about their head coaching job early next week, sources tell Marc Stein of The New York Times (Twitter link). Lue’s interview with Houston was originally supposed to happen this past Sunday, but it has now seemingly been pushed back twice as the team takes its time and meets with other candidates.
The Rockets reportedly interviewed Kenny Atkinson, Wes Unseld Jr., and Stephen Silas this week and are meeting with David Vanterpool today. According to Stein, the club is also expected to meet in the “near future” with assistant John Lucas and ESPN analyst Jeff Van Gundy.
Once the NBA Finals end and Van Gundy’s schedule opens up, we should get a better sense of how serious the Rockets are about pursuing him. He has reportedly been on general manager Daryl Morey‘s radar in the past and was one of the first candidates linked to the Houston job, even before the team parted ways with Mike D’Antoni.
Appearing on Brian Windhorst’s Hoop Collective podcast this week, ESPN’s Tim MacMahon stated that Van Gundy is still believed to be high on the Rockets’ list.
“I still think Jeff Van Gundy is probably the favorite, but they’re definitely doing their due diligence,” MacMahon said (link via RealGM). “… Really, I think the most important thing for the coaching candidates is going to be aligning with Daryl Morey and his vision in terms of basketball philosophy as well as who is going to be on that staff because we all know Daryl Morey is very hands on in terms of putting together a coach’s staff.”
Another factor worth monitoring as the Rockets seek a new head coach is how much team owner Tilman Fertitta will be willing to pay to fill the role.
Since Fertitta’s arrival, Houston has made an apparent effort to avoid finishing seasons in luxury-tax territory. The Rockets also reportedly offered D’Antoni an extension heavy on non-guaranteed incentives last offseason. If the organization is unwilling to make a significant financial commitment to its next head coach, it would presumably reduce the odds of an experienced candidate like Lue or Van Gundy taking the job.
If they hire lue its because of what harden wants. Lue let Lebron run the cavs. Lue will let Harden run the Rockets. They need a coach that will not let the players run the team.
Lue letting LeBron run the Cavs seemed to work out for them
Harden isn’t LeBron.
Houston doesn’t have the stacked lineup in a weak conference.
The 2nd part is definitely right.
Harden will do Harden regardless of the HC. It’s what they do abt Russ that will make a difference. I hope they will give Nwaba a chance at guard if he recovers. I mean, he should be the other starting guard, not Gordon or Rivers or Russ.
Why do they even need a coach when they have Danuel House’s basketball genius on the roster?
JVG! JVG! JVG!
NO ON JVG!!! But am sure that is why not looking at anyone else strongly. But Rockets, Pacers, and OKC are going slow to fill spots. Figured get a coach then assistants. Wonder who they would be but if Houston was looking top notch. Maybe looking for a couple years only for someone and bigger later. JVG might turn team around but do not want him. Do not care for on ESPN. I mute with the game when it on there and he called. But with Harden and Westbrook guess need someone strong to work with them
It’s hard to believe either Van Gundy is being seriously considered. I like both of them as TV personalities, but the amount of stupid I hear both of them say on TV…they’re talking about coaching like it’s 1990, not 2020.
Houston is definitely on the downslope because of the owner (he’s an egomaniac with a giant picture of himself in the lobby). And I can’t imagine Morey would sign off on a head coach that badmouths analytics.
So, if Van Gundy signs up, you can bet this is Morey’s last season in Houston.
Morey’s salary is apparently $8m pa…no wonder they are struggling to fill the vacancy…probably only got loose change to fill the Head Coaches slot.