Rockets And Coach Rick Adelman Part Ways, 4 Coaching Candidates Revealed

On Monday, the Rockets and Coach Rick Adelman agreed to part ways. Adelman, who led the Rockets to their only playoff series win in the past 14 years and a franchise record 22-game winning streak frequently without the Rockets star, Yao Ming and GM Daryl Morey weren’t able to come to terms on several key issues.

Aldeman wanted to be more involved in player acquisitions while the organization wants someone whose more focused on player development and analytics.

Per The Houston Chronicle, the Rockets already have four candidates lined up for the job:

“Two of Adelman’s assistant coaches, Elston Turner and Jack Sikma, as well as Mario Elie, who played for the Rockets and has been an assistant coach for the Sacramento Kings, Golden State Warriors, and San Antonio Spurs, will all get a turn in the interview chair to talk about possibly getting the job. The paper also names former Cleveland Cavaliers coach Mike Brown as a top candidate.”

It’s always interesting to see a coach that brought a team success let go (or invited the option to do as this parting was “mutual”.) Even with the age limit set in the NBA, it’s obvious that even in the professional ranks, teaching and developing players is in high demand. Coaches like Jerry Sloan, Don Nelson etc. seem to be having a hard time reaching the players and both sides end up frustrated. The irony in this case, Adelman had the support of his players.

“I’m kind of speechless, to be losing a coach of his caliber, and also losing a lot of good coaches, a lot of good people, it’s very hard. I think we lost one of the greatest coaches of all time. We took a step backwards. It’s like losing a great player. You see what happens. But for now, we took a step backwards.” – Rockets Guard Kevin Martin