The Rockets might not get to hire their favorite coach out there this offseason, but they’re definitely getting points for effort. Yesterday they interviewed the inspirational John Lucas, who hasn’t been an NBA coach since he helped the Cavaliers tank the 2002-03 season for the rights to LeBron James. Lucas was most recently known as the lifestyle coach who quit on NFL No. 1 overall pick and bust JaMarcus Russell.
Lucas said he and Morey had a good meeting.
“It was pretty lengthy,” Lucas said. "It went probably a good 2 1/2 hours.
“I thought it was very interesting. That’s a team that’s in the middle of the pack that has the capabilties to really improve. It’s a great opportunity for anyone.”
Lucas last coached in the NBA in the 2009-10 season, when he was an assistant with the Los Angeles Clippers. It’s highly unlikely that he’ll wind up with the Rockets job, but again, you can’t blame the front office for turning over every rock that they can.
The Rockets supposedly still have a meeting with TNT analyst and former Timberwolves coach/GM Kevin McHale. Other mystery candidates will likely pop up along the way, as they have been doing throughout the process.