NBA reacts to Kevin McHale's 'preposterous' dismissal
Somebody had to take the fall for the Houston Rockets' effort-lacking 4-7 start, and that person was head coach Kevin McHale on Wednesday.
The Hall of Fame player who won three NBA titles with the Boston Celtics in the 1980s had also gained respect as a bench boss over the past few seasons, registering the best winning percentage by a Rockets coach in team history.
As a result, reactions around the league largely expressed disappointment.
"It's preposterous," said Dallas Mavericks coach Rick Carlisle, whose Mavs lost to the Rockets in the first round of last spring's playoffs. "It's beyond belief. I'm really shocked ... the guy took the team, unexpectedly, to the conference finals last year. To have this happen after 11 games, preposterous is the only word I can think of."
Carlisle's small forward, Chandler Parsons - who started his NBA career playing in Houston for McHale - also chimed in.
What a shame about Coach Mac. He really helped me throughout my career and one of my favorites coaches and people of all time. Smh.
— Chandler Parsons (@ChandlerParsons) November 18, 2015
Even those who didn't play for McHale in the NBA sung his praises.
You're not going to find more of a players coach then Kevin McHale.
— Jordan Crawford (@jcraw55) November 18, 2015
Given the Rockets' apparent general disinterest in continuing last season's improvements on defense, it's been widely speculated that the locker room checked out on the 57-year-old McHale. Some in the NBA are not shocked given the history of some of the squad's players.
Opposing NBA GM: "A team with James Harden and Dwight Howard as the stars had to fire the coach? Gee, shocking."
— Sam Amico (@AmicoHoops) November 18, 2015
JB Bickerstaff will be Dwight Howard's ninth NBA coach in 12 seasons. Even played for his dad during the LA debacle.
— Taco Trey Kerby (@treykerby) November 18, 2015