One of the key things to come out about the Rockets' decision to hire Kevin McHale as their latest head coach so far is the fact that they want to make sure that Rio Grande Valley Vipers head coach Chris Finch is given an assistant coaching position. The Rockets having the power to hire an assistant-in-waiting was a big draw for them earlier, and was one of the reasons that Rick Adelman did not remain in Houston.
↵↵↵The Rockets became sold on McHale because they believe he will be a good communicator with their young players. Front office officials also believe McHale has a hunger to succeed as a coach in his post-Hall of Fame playing career.
↵The Rockets will have a great deal of input into McHale's coaching staff - and perhaps even style of play - sources said. McHale's coaching staff will include the promotion of Houston's D-League coach, Chris Finch of Rio Grande Valley, into a prominent position on McHale's bench.
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Very interesting. If these reports are true, then McHale has essentially agreed to become a dummy head coach, much like Oakland Athletics skippers of the past have been accused of being under general manager Billy Beane. Apparently Houston's front office would like to have control over every bit of the coaching staff that they can.
↵I guess all that's left to do is ponder the question: Why did Daryl Morey go and write that book?