After elimination in the Conference semifinals against the Lakers, Mike D’Antoni told the Rockets yesterday that he would not return to Houston next season. The coach at the origin of the micro-ball had refused several extensions … and already sees his name appear in the rumors for next season.
Arrived at the end of his contract with the Rockets, Mike D’Antoni has therefore informed his franchise that he will not return next season. The once-lookalike Mr. Pringles had already refused extension offers before the start of the season and will therefore leave Texas despite Daryl Morey’s willingness to extend his tactician. Adept at run-and-gun and shoots from the parking lot, the mad scientist had pushed the experiments even further this season by offering excessive small-ball, which has become micro-ball for the occasion. With a pre-retired Tyson Chandler as the sole pivot in the roster and a unique style of play that relies on double-counting from the parking lot, the Rockets went for it all and sadly failed in the conf ‘half. Largely dominated by the Lakers, the friends of James Harden left the bubble and MDA returned his apron. This is the third time in four seasons that the Rockets have failed in the semi-finals, they who notably lost a Conference Final in seven games against the Warriors in 2018. Massively criticized for his radical experience this season, the coach who arrived in 2016 still has the best record in the West over the past four years. with Houston: 68.2% wins, 217 wins for 102 losses. In the league, only the Raptors have done better.
With a full CV and figures that speak for him, Mike D’Antoni could find a bench next season. Just free agent, the coach of the year 2017 is already seeing his name in the rumors after the waltz of the coaches in recent weeks. Le Woj ‘ announces that the former mustachioed would, for example, be one of the candidates for the position of head coach at the Sixers, where he was assistant to Brett Brown before joining Houston. In Philly, Mike D’Antoni should probably forget the micro-ball since he would find a ball-handler of… 2.08m with Ben Simmons, taller than the interior of Houston this season. And then it would still be a shame to use Joel Embiid as Robert Covington… Sam Amick of The Athletic announces an interest of the Pacers after the canceled overtime of Nate McMillan. In Houston, we are already looking for the successor of Mike D’Antoni. Sam Cassell and Tyronn Lue, both assistants with the Clippers would be on the short-list, while Jeff Van Gundy, former coach of the Rockets between 2003 and 2007, would also be among the candidates. Come on, business to follow but be careful not to rejoice too quickly in Texas since new coach does not necessarily mean new strategy, especially with Daryl Morey in charge.
End of the adventure between Mike D’Antoni and the Rockets after another failure in the conf ‘half. The coach at the end of his contract leaves Texas after four years of good and loyal service. No retirement on the horizon yet since the Sixers and Pacers would be in line to recover it, the show must go on !
Source texte : ESPN, The Athletic
–
