Report: Rockets Eye ‘Culture Reset’ After Mike D’Antoni Exit - Sports Illustrated

Rrrrip

3 hrs

It will take more than a culture reset. The top NBA teams are all highly competitive.The Rockets must do something that differentiates them - this won't be achieved through personnel, coaches, management or ownership. Look at the record.

What could a new Rockets coach accomplish with nine points more a game and consistency that would:

1. Almost eliminate streaks/runs
2. Put the Rockets in position to control and dictate the style of play throughout the game
3. Work with the current roster
   This would require buy-in and commitment from coaches, players, management and owner.
   It would cost appreciable money but it would not be against the cap.
   This would be a tweak not a blowup.
   The players and coaches would be working with performance information (know your numbers) that no one has had previously. This can be achieved through using applied technology during training and analysis of game performance.

Imagine the Rockets team with no 0 for 7’s on 3-pointers, no scoring gaps in the game, Westbrook with a consistent 3-point shot(scary) and everyone’s game consistently up. That’s what can happen.

This is mainly a decision for the owner. In the Rockets organization, just as with every other NBA franchise, the management, coaching staff and players must be very risk adverse. There is no place higher for them to go - change, even though minor, must be avoided. So, the owner (who benefits greatly from an NBA championship) must not only come up with the money but, also, assume the risk. The owner must make certain that every member of the franchise understands this and that the other members of the organization can share positive results but would be held blameless should there be a negative outcome. No one should feel a need to hedge their position on acceptance of the slightly different way of doing things to protect their future.

It would take 15 minutes to check this out Mr. Fertitta, otherwise your chances are a crap-shoot.