Report: Rockets like what they’ve heard from initial coaching list

It appears that GM Daryl Morey and other executives are satisfied with their candidates, per Jonathan Feigen of the Houston Chronicle.

While the possibility of a new candidate can’t be ruled out just yet, it appears the Houston Rockets are satisfied with their current list of head coaching options to replace Mike D’Antoni.

In Saturday’s Houston Chronicle update, Jonathan Feigen writes:

They have focused entirely on former head coaches and top assistants. They have a mix of coaches with Finals appearances —Ty Lue and Jeff Van Gundy —up-and-coming assistants — Stephen Silas, Wes Unseld Jr. and David Vanterpool — and familiar faces — John Lucas, Kenny Atkinson and Van Gundy.

They could expand the pool of candidates, a person with knowledge of the process said. But he also said that those involved in the hunt have liked what they have heard so far.

Here’s a rundown of the former head coaches in that group:

Lue: Head coach of Cleveland Cavaliers (2016-18)

Van Gundy: Head coach of New York Knicks (1995-2002), Houston Rockets (2003-07)

Atkinson: Head coach of Brooklyn Nets (2016-20)

Lucas: Head coach of San Antonio Spurs (1992-94), Philadelphia 76ers (1994-96), Cleveland Cavaliers (2001-03)

This past season, Lue worked for Doc Rivers as an assistant with the Los Angeles Clippers. Meanwhile, Lucas has worked beneath D’Antoni since 2016 as Houston’s director of player development.

As for the assistant pool, Unseld, Silas, and Vanterpool have each served as top assistants for several teams — most recently the Denver Nuggets, Dallas Mavericks, and Minnesota Timberwolves, respectively.

Atkinson, Vanterpool, Silas, and Unseld have already interviewed with the Rockets, according to media reports. Van Gundy is unavailable until the conclusion of the NBA Finals, given his announcing duties for ABC, while Lue’s interview is said to be scheduled for next week.

Both Lue and Van Gundy have previous experience building strong relationships with star players, which Feigen says is important for the Rockets job with James Harden and Russell Westbrook.

As a local candidate, Lucas is expected to be the final interview.

Other media reports have identified fellow Clippers assistant Sam Cassell as a Rockets candidate, as well as New Orleans assistant Chris Finch. However, neither is mentioned in Feigen’s story, and none of the prior reports naming two have specified whether they interviewed.

The search is being led by GM Daryl Morey, who historically has also had a say in Houston’s assistant coaching hires, as well. So it’s possible that some of these names could still be pursued as a top assistant to the head coach, even if they aren’t the final choice for the lead job.

There is no clear timetable for a hire to be made.

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