Tag: John Lucas

Rockets move longtime assistant coach John Lucas into front office

After working for years as a #Rockets coach, John Lucas (@JLEnterprises) is transitioning to Houston’s front office as an assistant to general manager Rafael Stone.

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After serving for years as a Rockets assistant coach, John Lucas is moving to the front office as an assistant to general manager Rafael Stone, per Jonathan Feigen of the Houston Chronicle.

Lucas, 69, was the lead assistant the previous three seasons former Rockets head coach Stephen Silas. He’s not on the newly released list of assistants for new head coach Ime Udoka.

That doesn’t mean the Rockets legend is done with the franchise with which he has been an icon as both a player and coach for nearly 50 years. Lucas reportedly led Houston’s pre-draft workouts leading to the 2023 NBA draft, which was during the period Udoka was hiring his staff. Now he’ll move into a front-office role with Stone.

After his playing days, Lucas was a head coach with the Cleveland Cavaliers, San Antonio Spurs and Philadelphia 76ers. He returned to the Rockets as Mike D’Antoni’s player development coach in 2016-17 and has remained with the team.

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With help from NBA celebrities, Rockets legend John Lucas hosts golf classic in Houston

With help from #Rockets and NBA stars, John Lucas (@JLEnterprises) is relaunching his celebrity golf classic in Houston. The event raises funds for healthy living programs.

The John Lucas Foundation is relaunching its annual celebrity golf classic on June 26 to raise funds for healthy living programs focused on mental health, substance-abuse prevention, and scholarships for youth basketball camps. The foundation is run by Lucas, a longtime member of the Rockets and an assistant coach in recent years.

“I got a great gift when I was young, the gift of basketball,” Lucas said. “I have never forgotten to use this gift to give back and teach. Basketball and recovery are the foundations of my family business. Helping others develop and use these gifts to create pathways for education, careers, and family is my mission in life.”

Under former head coach Stephen Silas, Lucas was lead assistant over the last three seasons. His role for new head coach Ime Udoka has not been announced, though Lucas is leading Houston’s pre-draft workouts as the team prepares for the June 22 NBA draft. Once the draft concludes, he can briefly turn his attention to golf.

Lucas’ event is set to take place at Memorial Park Golf Course, home of the PGA Tour’s Houston Open, and is expected to feature appearances by players and coaches from the NBA, National Football League (NFL), Major League Baseball (MLB) and college basketball.

Confirmed NBA attendees include DJ Augustin, Rick Barry, Michael Crabtree, David Culley, Mike D’Antoni, Mario Elie, TJ Ford, George Gervin, Jeff Van Gundy, Royal Ivey, Mike James, Major Jones, Vernon Maxwell, Kendrick Perkins, Ricky Pierce, Eric Riley, Kelvin Sampson, Rudy Tomjanovich and Bill Worrell, according to the event’s website. More participants will be named later.

Details on individual and foursomes registration are available at the event website, along with various sponsorship opportunities.

Held with assistance from the Houston Parks and Recreation and the Houston Astros Golf Foundation, the classic will also feature various business owners, elected officials and other celebrities. For questions or registration assistance, email jlfgolfclassic@gmail.com.

Lucas played in the NBA from 1976 through 1990, including multiple stints with the Rockets. Since then, he’s been a three-time NBA head coach and an assistant at several stops, including a player development role with the Rockets under Mike D’Antoni (2016-20) and the lead assistant position for Silas in the three years since.

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Ime Udoka pleased by Rockets’ offseason progress, assistant coaching search

“I had to wait and be patient on some things,” Ime Udoka says of Houston’s assistant coaching search. “I talked to a lot of high-level candidates. We have some commitments.” #Rockets

With the 2023 NBA draft less than three weeks away, the Houston Rockets will soon have some decisions to make.

Will they keep the No. 4 selection in the first round, or will they trade it? If they keep it, who will they pick?

Those questions will soon require answers from general manager Rafael Stone, but head coach Ime Udoka will have some input. On Thursday, Udoka took time at Minute Maid Park to give an early assessment of what he has seen from players currently on the roster.

“They’re more impressive than I already knew,” Udoka said of his young core before throwing out a ceremonial first pitch at the Astros’ game. “Obviously, with the interview process, I got to dig in a little bit as far as that, and the guys are really an impressive group.”

Houston hired Udoka on April 26 after former head coach Stephen Silas’ contract was not extended at the end of Houston’s 2022-23 regular season. He met with starting point guard Kevin Porter Jr. after his introductory press conference and has had an opportunity to meet with other players during the pre-draft preparation period.

“It’s been great,” Udoka said when asked about the offseason work his players are doing. “I was down in Los Angeles with a lot of those guys, so we had some lunches. I went to the gym and saw Jalen’s (Green) workout. So, it is great that they want to get after it so soon. Obviously, we have been done for over a month now, so for these young guys, it is time to get back in the gym.”

Between preparing for the draft and evaluating players, Udoka has also been busy putting together a coaching staff for the upcoming season. Several names are reportedly joining the Rockets, including at least three from Udoka’s former staff with the Celtics, but none has been confirmed.

“It is going good,” Udoka said. “I had to wait and be patient on some things. I talked to a lot of high-level candidates. We have some commitments, and then, obviously, with some of the guys I brought to Boston, with them finishing up now, I can move along in the process and hopefully bring some of them here, as well.”

Udoka was also asked if lead assistant John Lucas would remain with the staff, but he declined to answer. Lucas is conducting pre-draft workouts for Houston.

“We’re considering everything,” Udoka said. “I’m looking at the guys that were already here as well as trying to bring some other guys, so we’ll figure that out as time goes.”

Udoka has yet to have much time to get acclimated to being in Houston. But he said he plans to, once the draft is complete.

“For the most part, I have been taking my time,” Udoka said about seeing what the city offers. “I plan to get out and about in the next few weeks.”

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Rockets eyeing Brooklyn’s Royal Ivey, Boston’s Ben Sullivan and Aaron Miles as assistant coaches

Brooklyn’s Royal Ivey, along with Boston’s Ben Sullivan and Aaron Miles, are among the potential pool of NBA assistant coaches for Ime Udoka in Houston, @MikeAScotto reports. #Rockets

Previous reports indicated Houston’s John Lucas and Mahmoud Abdelfattah, along with Boston’s Ben Sullivan, could be among the pool of assistants being considered for the staff of new Rockets head coach Ime Udoka.

Now, new reporting by HoopsHype’s NBA insider Michael Scotto indicates Sullivan and two other assistants with previous links to Udoka — Aaron Miles from the Celtics, where Udoka was the head coach in 2021-22, and Royal Ivey of the Brooklyn Nets, where Udoka was an assistant in the 2020-21 season — could be in play.

Scotto writes:

While the Rockets will look to reunite with (James) Harden in free agency, Houston is preparing to target potential assistant coaches to join Ime Udoka’s staff.

Keep an eye on Celtics assistant coaches Aaron Miles and Ben Sullivan and Nets assistant coach Royal Ivey to be courted by the Rockets as candidates for Udoka’s staff, league sources told HoopsHype.

Udoka and Ivey spent time together as assistants in Brooklyn during the 2020-21 season, while Miles and Sullivan were assistants on Udoka’s staff in Boston a year later.

Ivey is 41 years old, while Miles is 40 and Sullivan is 39.

Sullivan and Udoka are believed to have a close relationship, according to Ari Alexander of KPRC, Houston’s NBC affiliate.

“Both grew up in the Portland, Oregon, area and are connected through the Spurs, where Sullivan was a video coordinator thanks to a suggestion from Udoka,” Alexander writes. “Udoka and Sullivan’s previous boss, Mike Budenholzer, both coached under Gregg Popovich in San Antonio, and Udoka hired Sullivan away from Budenholzer’s Milwaukee Bucks staff. Sullivan is currently in a good situation with the Celtics but is an intriguing name to watch, based on the relationship.”

As for Miles, he worked as a Warriors player development coach from 2019 until 2021, which is when Udoka hired him as a Celtics assistant. He was a college point guard at Kansas from 2001 to 2005 before a lengthy professional career, which included several international stops and a brief stint in Golden State (2005-06).

Ivey has ties to Texas, having played in college at the University of Texas from 2000 through 2004. A defensive-minded guard, Ivey played for four NBA teams over an 11-year playing career before transitioning to coaching in 2014. Since then, he’s worked as an assistant for the Nets, New York Knicks, and Oklahoma City Thunder.

There is no set timetable for Udoka to name his full staff for the 2023-24 season. However, an assistant typically leads Houston’s squad at the NBA Summer League, and practices for those begin shortly after the NBA’s draft night. This year, the draft is on June 22, so expect at least some members of Udoka’s staff to be known by then.

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Jabari Smith Jr. credits Rockets assistant John Lucas with important rookie advice

“He reminded me to look at other people’s rookie seasons, and to stop putting so much pressure on myself,” Jabari Smith Jr. says of important advice by #Rockets assistant John Lucas.

In a conversation with Rockets and Adidas sponsorship teammate Jalen Green, Houston rookie Jabari Smith Jr. showed appreciation to assistant coach John Lucas for his development this season.

It isn’t clear if Lucas, who was the lead assistant to former head coach Stephen Silas, will be part of Houston’s 2023-24 staff under new coach Ime Udoka. He is believed to be under consideration.

One reason for that consideration is the rapport Lucas has clearly established with many of Houston’s young players. That includes Smith, who played some of his best basketball in the 2022-23 season’s final weeks after struggling in its opening months.

As part of the interview, Smith told Green:

(John Lucas) told me through all the struggles, and bad games … he was just telling me that nobody is perfect. I’m a hard critic of myself, and I’m really technical. A bad game will really stick with me. He was just telling me, “You’re not going to play good every game. Ain’t nobody perfect. You’ve just got to live with mistakes.”

He always reminds me that I’m 19 (years old). He always reminds me to look at other people’s rookie seasons, and to stop putting so much pressure on myself. Being among the best for so long, you can get to a point where you don’t feel that way, and it can mess with you.

The complete conversation, which features Smith and Green talking back and forth to each other, can be viewed below.

Over his final 18 games of the 2022-23 season, Smith averaged 16.3 points and 8.2 rebounds per game while recording eight of his 16 double-doubles. That helped the No. 3 pick from the 2022 first round earn All-Rookie second team honors from the NBA.

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Report: John Lucas, Mahmoud Abdelfettah, Boston’s Ben Sullivan among assistant candidates

Recent #Rockets assistants John Lucas and Mahmoud Abdelfettah, along with Boston’s Ben Sullivan, are reportedly options for Ime Udoka’s new staff in Houston.

Recent Houston Rockets assistant coaches John Lucas and Mahmoud Abdelfettah, along with Boston’s Ben Sullivan, are reportedly options for the bench staff of new head coach Ime Udoka.

Both Lucas and Abdelfettah were on the 2022-23 staff of former head coach Stephen Silas. Lucas, a former NBA head coach with three organizations after an extended playing career, was the lead assistant to Silas over his three seasons with the Rockets.

Abdelfettah led Houston’s G League affiliate, the Rio Grande Valley (RGV) Vipers, to the 2021-22 championship before joining the assistant coaching ranks with the parent NBA club in 2022-23.

Ari Alexander of KPRC, Houston’s NBC affiliate, has more:

Two names to watch that could stay with Udoka on the Rockets staff: John Lucas, the legendary player developer is respected throughout the league. Mahmoud Abdelfettah has come up through the Rockets system as Houston’s G-League head coach with the Rio Grande Valley Vipers and is well respected within the organization.

An outside name to watch to join the Rockets staff: Celtics assistant coach Ben Sullivan. Sullivan and Udoka have a close relationship. Both grew up in the Portland, Oregon area and are connected through the Spurs, where Sullivan was a video coordinator thanks to a suggestion from Udoka. Udoka and Sullivan’s previous boss, Mike Budenholzer both coached under Gregg Popovich in San Antonio, and Udoka hired Sullivan away from Budenholzer’s Milwaukee Bucks staff. Sullivan is currently in a good situation with the playoff-bound Celtics but is an intriguing name to watch based on the relationship.

Lucas has become well regarded for his strong relationships with players, having previously worked for the Rockets as player development coach on the staff of Mike D’Antoni (2016-20).

Abdelfattah is best known for his offensive acumen, which could make him a good bench fit alongside a head coach such as Udoka, who is widely respected for his commitment to defense.

As for Sullivan, any potential attempt at poaching him would likely need to wait until after the Celtics conclude their run in the 2023 playoffs. With a 2-1 lead over Philadelphia in the second round, Boston is in strong position to continue playing.

There is no set timetable for Udoka to name his full staff for the 2023-24 season. However, an assistant typically leads Houston’s squad at the NBA Summer League, and practices for those begin shortly after the NBA’s draft night. This year, the draft is on June 22, so expect at least some members of Udoka’s staff to be known by then.

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Ime Udoka sets criteria for assistant coaching hires with Rockets

With Ime Udoka now in place as head coach, the process for selecting Houston’s assistants can begin. “I want an energetic staff, very hands-on and relationship-based,” Udoka says. #Rockets

In contrast to the Daryl Morey years, current Rockets general manager Rafael Stone has made it clear Houston’s head coach will be responsible for selecting his staff of assistants.

With Ime Udoka in place as head coach, the process begins for filling out the staff. At his previous stop in Boston, for example, Udoka’s assistants played a key role in the team’s success. Future head coaches Will Hardy (Utah Jazz) and Joe Mazzulla (Celtics) were in prominent positions on his bench. The challenge for Udoka is to make the correct staffing decisions for another cycle.

So, what is Udoka looking for in Houston? At his introductory press conference this week, the 45-year-old laid out the criteria:

Some of the things I did in Boston when I became a head coach — I want an energetic staff, very hands-on and relationship-based able to relate to the players. That was a huge key for me. I’ll look to find some of those pieces, interview the guys that were here. I’ve heard good things about a lot of the guys, but this is a first step here and then we’ll get to the staff.

Top internal candidates could include lead assistant John Lucas, who has held a number of key roles with the Rockets dating to his days as an NBA player in the 1980s. Another promising candidate from the staff of former head coach Stephen Silas appears to be Mahmoud Abdelfettah, a younger coach with an offensive background who helped lead Houston’s G League affiliate, the Rio Grande Valley (RGV) Vipers, to the 2021-22 title. Silas and the Rockets brought him to the NBA bench last offseason.

Other assistants from the 2022-23 group were Mike Batiste, Rick Higgins, Will Dunn and veteran NBA head coach Lionel Hollins.

While there’s no set timetable for making all of the assistant hires, expect at least some of them to be made by late June, which is when young players participating in the 2023 NBA Summer League begin practicing. Typically, it’s an assistant who leads each team, allowing the head coach to watch and observe from the sidelines.

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Report: Rockets tweaking Jalen Green’s jump shot to reduce leg use

Per Danielle Lerner of the Houston Chronicle, #Rockets assistant coach John Lucas is working with Jalen Green to tweak the mechanics of his jump shot.

One of the most disappointing aspects of the 2022-23 season for the young Houston Rockets is the lack of shooting progress from second-year guard Jalen Green.

Now 21 years old, Green has increased his overall scoring in 2022-23 relative to 2021-22, but his overall shooting and 3-point accuracy have dipped (42.6% to 40.9%, and 34.3% to 33.3%).

Some of that can be attributed to Green’s increased usage, relative to his rookie season. He’s certainly functioning much more as an on-ball creator this season, as opposed to getting cleaner looks by working off the ball, as he often did a season ago.

But some of it, of course, is Green missing shots he believes he should make. To that end, when the 6-foot-6 guard returns to the lineup Tuesday after missing nearly two weeks with a left groin strain, he could have somewhat of a different look.

Per Danielle Lerner of the Houston Chronicle:

On the road trip, Green tweaked his jump shot with help from Rockets assistant coach John Lucas. The new version uses less legs, which Lucas said is designed to manage Green’s groin strain and to streamline his motion on catch-and-shoots.

It can be difficult for players to change their shot mechanics during a season, because with constant games and limited practice time, it’s easy to revert to old habits during a game.

But between the NBA’s All-Star break and nearly two weeks on the sidelines, the Rockets and Green are hoping he’s had enough repetitions for the new version to fully click.

We’ll find out starting Tuesday, when Green and the Rockets (13-47) will look to snap a nine-game losing streak when they host Denver (43-19) at Toyota Center. The tip is 7 p.m. Central.

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Podcast: New Year’s resolutions for Rockets in second half of season

With 11 losses in 12 games, today’s @TheLagerLine explores how the #Rockets can improve in the 2022-23 season’s second half, along with New Year’s resolutions for key players and coaches.

With the midpoint of the 2022-23 NBA regular season almost here, the young and rebuilding Houston Rockets (10-28) remain on a virtually identical pace to last season. So, what’s gone wrong in this recent stretch of 10 losses in 11 games, and how can they fix it?

Thursday’s episode of “The Lager Line” (sponsored by Clutch City Lager of Karbach Brewing), explores key themes from the first half of this season and potential changes for the second half.

Hosted by Ben DuBose and Paulo Alves, discussion topics include:

  • Differences in coaching style between Stephen Silas and John Lucas, and the impact of a potential change;
  • Why the contract standoff with Eric Gordon needs to be resolved soon;
  • Reasons for the recent improvements by Kevin Porter Jr. and regression from Jalen Green;
  • Where Alperen Sengun fits long term, and how he can be better utilized in the short term;
  • Tactical changes worth pursuing in the coming weeks.

Thursday’s full podcast can be listened to below. Each episode of the show is also available via flagship radio station SportsTalk 790, as well as to all major podcast distributors under “The Lager Line.”

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‘We needed something’: Frustration boils over for Rockets, ejected head coach Stephen Silas

“I don’t necessarily think me being off the floor makes us play better, but we needed something,” #Rockets coach Stephen Silas said after his early ejection in a tough loss at New Orleans.

Even with a short-handed roster, CJ McCollum and the Pelicans easily had enough to hold off visiting Houston during Wednesday’s uncompetitive 119-108 result (box score) in New Orleans. The Rockets, who lost head coach Stephen Silas early in the game due to an officiating rant, have now lost 10 of their last 11 games overall.

Houston (10-28) remains in last place in the Western Conference, while the Pelicans (24-14) are within a game of first place.

The Rockets were overwhelmed from the opening tipoff and trailed by as many as 31 points in the first half, though they made the final respectable amid strong efforts by Jabari Smith Jr. (14 points, 13 rebounds, 2 steals) and KJ Martin (16 points, 7-of-7 shooting, 2 steals). The defensive effort appeared to improve under lead assistant John Lucas, who took over as acting coach after the departure of Silas.

It was a forgettable night for Houston’s starting backcourt of Kevin Porter Jr. and Jalen Green, with both guards struggling defensively while combining to score 27 points on 9-of-26 shooting (34.6%).

That wasn’t nearly enough versus the Pelicans and McCollum, who scored a game-high 28 points on 10-of-21 shooting (47.6%) and 5-of-11 from 3-point range (45.5%) — all while dishing out 6 assists and not turning the ball over a single time. Veteran center Jonas Valanciunas added 16 points and a game-high 17 rebounds.

Brandon Ingram (left great toe contusion) and Zion Williamson (right hamstring strain) were both out for New Orleans due to injury.

Scroll on for highlights, analysis, and postgame interview reaction from Smoothie King Center. Houston returns to action on Thursday night at home, with the tip from Toyota Center at 7 p.m. Central.