Rockets owner Tilman Fertitta said Thursday night that “total continuity” was a big reason for Houston’s decision to replace departing GM Daryl Morey with an internal promotion in Rafael Stone.
Here’s what Fertitta, who purchased the Rockets in 2017 from previous owner Les Alexander, told ESPN’s Tim MacMahon:
It’s total continuity. That’s one of the reasons that we promoted Rafael. You’ve got to understand, Tad Brown’s been the CEO of the franchise for a long time. We’ve had very little turnover [in the front office], and when people have left, it’s been for better positions — basketball people getting GM jobs. There was no reason to even think about going outside of the franchise.
Rafael was here from the very first basketball meeting that I ever had, sitting right next to Daryl. I love the way that Daryl and Rafe would dispute something that we would all be talking about. It’s always been a collaborative effort and very positive. As much as I hate for Daryl to leave, I want him to be happy. And at the same time, we’ve got a deep bench. With Rafael and Eli [Witus], I feel very, very comfortable.
The complete ESPN story can be read here.
Morey is staying in his GM post — which he’s been in since 2007 — until Nov. 1 to assist Stone, Witus, and the rest of Houston’s front office as they complete the coaching search to replace Mike D’Antoni.
The timetable for a coaching hire is not yet clear. The finalists are believed to be Jeff Van Gundy, Stephen Silas, and John Lucas.
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