The most established Houston media member to cover the Rockets believes that former NBA coach Jeff Van Gundy or current Dallas assistant Stephen Silas will most likely be the team’s next head coach.
Jonathan Feigen, who has been the Houston Chronicle‘s Rockets beat writer since 1998, appeared on Sunday’s Texas Sports Nation television program and was asked about the state of the coaching search.
While acknowledging the three frontrunners of Van Gundy, Silas, and director of player development John Lucas, Feigen said he believes that there’s a clear top two among that trio. Among his comments:
I really think at this point, it’s going to be Jeff Van Gundy or Stephen Silas. John Lucas was and is a candidate, and a good candidate that they very seriously considered and are considering. But I think it’s those two.
I think it’s taking a little time, because the determination is… they want to have the different voices heard. Basketball operations, led by Rafael Stone, the new GM. Ownership, Tilman Fertitta and Patrick Fertitta, they want them on the same page.
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Feigen said the extended nature of the search, which has lingered since Mike D’Antoni’s Sept. 13 announcement that he would not return, is likely in part due to the team’s desire to involve players in the decision.
They want player input. They want players to feel like, ‘Yeah, I want to go to work for this guy, with this guy.’ This is their [player] offseason, guys are scattered. There is no reason to rush. There’s no timetable pressure.
Feigen also said that Lucas could be a key part of the staff of assistant coaches for either Van Gundy or Silas, but especially the latter. With Silas, it would be his first job as a head coach, while Lucas has past experience in the lead position for three different NBA franchises.
I wouldn’t be surprised if it is Stephen Silas, if John Lucas is a big part of that staff. They might want to keep John Lucas regardless, if it’s Jeff or Stephen Silas, if John isn’t the head coach. But if it’s Stephen Silas, a first-time head coach, it would make a lot of sense to have John Lucas as his lead assistant. Either way, it’s a real good choice to have.
On the other hand, if Van Gundy is the preferred option, another reason for the lengthy search could be the desire of the veteran coach to get better acquainted with Houston’s new GM.
Jeff also needs to feel comfortable. One of the reasons Jeff wants to be back, he liked the idea of working with Daryl Morey again. Rafael Stone, at the time, was in the legal department. He was general counsel when Jeff was coaching (2003 to 2007). They knew each other, and would say ‘hi’ in the halls, but I think they need to get to know each other a little better, and more in-depth. Obviously Daryl and Jeff already had that. I think that takes some time, too.
Regardless of the choice, Feigen believes it will come shortly. “It could be any day,” he said. “We really could be pretty close at this point.”
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