J.B. Bickerstaff took over on an interim basis in Houston after Kevin McHale was fired last November, and has seen the writing on the wall when it comes to the Rockets’ search for a new head coach.
Bickerstaff has thrown in the towel, per multiple reports.
Jeff Van Gundy, Mike D’Antoni, Frank Vogel (unemployed as of today) and even Kenny Smith are all said to be among the candidates for the gig in H-Town.
ESPN sources say Sixers associate head coach Mike D'Antoni is interviewing for the Houston Rockets' coaching job this week
— Marc Stein (@ESPNSteinLine) May 5, 2016
Sources say Houston will also talk to Frank Vogel as well as part of a Kings-style broad search if the Pacers let Vogel go as many expect.
— Marc Stein (@ESPNSteinLine) May 5, 2016
Another out-of-the-box name Houston is said to be considering for a coaching interview: Rockets backcourt alumnus Kenny Smith (@TheJetOnTNT)
— Marc Stein (@ESPNSteinLine) May 5, 2016
Per Yahoo:
Houston owner Les Alexander and general manager Daryl Morey met with Bickerstaff on Monday, as well as Los Angeles Clippers assistant coach Sam Cassell and Houston assistant Chris Finch, league sources said. […] Other NBA teams have started reaching out to Bickerstaff about lead assistant coaching positions, and that’s where he’s transitioned his focus, league sources said.
After taking over following Kevin McHale’s firing in November, Bickerstaff went 37-34 as interim head coach, earning the eighth seed in the Western Conference playoffs. Houston lost 4-1 to defending champion Golden State in the first round. Finch has been regarded within Rockets management as a future head-coaching candidate. He led the Rockets’ NBA Development League affiliate in Rio Grande to a championship in 2009 before joining Houston’s staff in 2011.
Conversations with potential candidates are expected to include several prominent college coaches, sources said. […] Among the NBA candidates with whom the Rockets are working to set up interviews are former Phoenix Suns coach Jeff Hornacek and Charlotte Hornets assistant Stephen Silas, league sources said. There could be 10-15 – perhaps even more – candidates interviewed in the process, league sources said.
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