Rick Adelman fired by the Houston Rockets
Houston chose not to extend his contract, effectively firing him. His relationship with the org had been strained recently.
Marc Spears at Yahoo calls it a "mutual parting," and SBN recently reported that the Rockets players wanted Rick to stay.
Adelman has 945 career victories, is now a free agent, and doesn't seem to be retiring.
(Edited for the updates from Yahoo etc, thanks Norsk)
about 1 year ago
Timmay!
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Allegedly the separation was mutual
Also, Adelman seems to have been less in love with advanced stats than his boss. Still will be a very good hire for some team.
I suspected Rick didn't want to go through another rebuild, either. He was brought in to win immediately.
The ESPN article in question specifically used the word fired, translated to them not renewing his contract. I’ll take a look around, I’m not sure how long until we get official word.
Adelman seems to have been less in love with advanced stats than his boss.
I wonder who Daryl will hire next?
(I’m guessing it won’t be SVG redux)
Shane Battier got out of Dodge just in time
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
by two4larue on Apr 18, 2011 7:01 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
Rick Adelman couldn't get his guys to play effective defense and wasn't interested in taking on a ...
simple tune-up — as Houston only needs to retool rather than rebuild — so it was time for the team to part ways with him.
I know owner that Leslie Alexander wasn’t too enthralled with the slow-paced, defensive-minded stylings of Jeff Van Gundy last time around. Yet, GM Daryl Morey will hopefully convince him that getting a young up-and-comer with defensive chops — such as the New Orleans Hornets’ lead assistant, Michael Malone, who also coached under Mike Brown in Cleveland — is the way to go, especially after seeing what Tom T. has done in Chicago and the recent turnaround Frank Vogel has brought about in Indiana.
Not sure where Adelman goes from here, although he’d be a very intriguing outside hire if the Los Angeles Lakers decide to not promote Brian Shaw. The Lakers have got many pieces in place to run a flex offense, too, which is why Adelman would fit there much more easily than most places. I’m not sure that the Lakers do it, though, especially after what happened the last time they hired an ex-Rockets coach.
"They say it has no memory. That’s where I want to live the rest of my life. A warm place with no memory."
He didn't have the horses with all the injuries and weird contracts and oddballs over the years
Adelman got more out of his players than Houston had any right to.
Now all we need is the rest of the roster to get into "how can everybody help Nicco and Oden" mode. -- Oden Mad, Oden Smash! Sep 29, 2010 7:47 PM
The Rockets best defensive player
was a 6-6 center. The Rockets poor defense was management’s fault.
and I'd to love him in a Blazer uniform right now
Chuck Hayes, that is
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
Nope, sharp defensive minds coach up players on that side of the ball.
For example, look at what Scott Skiles has done these past few seasons in Milwaukee. Even in a down year, the Milwaukee Bucks were still 4th in defensive efficiency.
http://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/MIL/2011.html
More recently, Frank Vogel has gotten the young players in Indiana to buy into things defensively.
Another example is Doug Collins, who cleaned up the disasterous mess that moron Eddie Jordan left in Philadelphia. Monty Williams is another great example, as New Orleans is much improved defensively after he came in for last season’s debacle of interim head coach Jeff Bower and lead assistant Tim Floyd.
"They say it has no memory. That’s where I want to live the rest of my life. A warm place with no memory."
I am not sure what your point is in counter to wayno's point
that roster was decimated by injuries. Sure they had some nice role players talent wise, but overall lacked any size or strength to compete with the good teams defensively at all. Sure Adelman likes his offense, but it is hard to have enough defense with the guys he had available to him.
Williams has an Okafor’s performance he could turn around, Skiles has a Bogut, Collins has a few decent bigs to work with.
I agree a coach that can refocus guys with the build and body and skillset to perform well defensively can turn them around, but look at Houston’s roster, where are those guys?
"What and how much had I lost by trying to do only what was expected of me instead of what I myself had wished to do?"
— Ralph Ellison (Invisible Man)
Come on Cho, get 'er done!
Imagine Game 2, the camera’s pan across from Allen to Cho to……Adelman. Then Game 3, Adelman on the Blazer’s sidelines!
by absenceofmalice on Apr 18, 2011 4:25 PM PDT reply actions
Disingenuous to call it a firing.
"Ain't nothin' in this world for free."
by Arby on Apr 18, 2011 4:38 PM PDT reply actions 1 recs
As noted above, ESPN noted it as such so I left it intact.
There are conflicting reports so I put the other reports in the body.
For the record, the first two lines from ESPN:
Rick Adelman will not be given another contract and is out as coach of the Houston Rockets, a league source confirmed to ESPN.com.
KRIV-TV first reported the firing.
The Houston Chron is saying that Morey and Adelman "failed to reach agreement on how they would continue to work together"
For some reason, the wording makes me giggle a little bit — it sounds like lawyer-speak.
Wiggada Wiggada Zers!
Ditto. "We wish him well in future endeavors" often translates to "Don't let the door hit you on the way out"
Which makes me laugh too.
finding another way to say "irreconcile-able differences"
has led to many a cheesy country/western song
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
We should have a pool on where he ends up
My guess is Boston if Doc retires, Dallas if he (Doc) doesn’t.
Phase 1: Collect underpants
Phase 2: ???
Phase 3: Profit!
Boston should promote Lawrence Frank, while Rick Carlisle has done a fine job in Dallas.
"They say it has no memory. That’s where I want to live the rest of my life. A warm place with no memory."
I'm not talking about what those teams should do
Carlisle has done great with what he has in Dallas, but Cuban loves to tinker if he thinks he can make the team better. Another first round exit for Dallas would certainly hurt Carlisle’s chances.
And Ainge is one of the less predictable GM’s in the NBA. Not to mention that Adelman is a straight-up better coach than Frank.
Phase 1: Collect underpants
Phase 2: ???
Phase 3: Profit!
That said, where would you say Adelman is
likely to end up? LA? Orlando? His vacation home?
Phase 1: Collect underpants
Phase 2: ???
Phase 3: Profit!
Ainge and Adelman worked together in Portland
Now all we need is the rest of the roster to get into "how can everybody help Nicco and Oden" mode. -- Oden Mad, Oden Smash! Sep 29, 2010 7:47 PM
Forgot about that
All the more reason to think Boston. Now I’m feeling really secure in my pick…
Phase 1: Collect underpants
Phase 2: ???
Phase 3: Profit!
Hmm, I'm not sure.
I think the Los Angeles Lakers make the most sense, but I doubt that they go that route.
Orlando would be an interesting place, but I think a first-round loss leads to Dwight Howard asking for a trade. Unfortunately, such a trade could lead to him landing on the Lakers for a package built around Andrew Bynum. If so, I’m not sure who ends up manning the Magic head coaching spot.
"They say it has no memory. That’s where I want to live the rest of my life. A warm place with no memory."
I agree with you about Howard
I’ll be surprised if Dwight isn’t traded for Bynum and Shannon Brown before the end of the 2012 season (if there is one).
I doubt LA has the assets to pull it off, but if they managed to pull Jameer Nelson (even though he’s an overrated PG, he’d fit perfect in the Kobe-dominated triangle as Fish ages) away as well, they would significantly extend their championship window.
Phase 1: Collect underpants
Phase 2: ???
Phase 3: Profit!
At this point in their careers, I'd take Lawrence Frank over Rick Adelman.
"They say it has no memory. That’s where I want to live the rest of my life. A warm place with no memory."
I'm thinking Orlando
They will need to make some kind of move to keep Howard. They lost badly to Atlanta in game 1. If they lose that series…..
The Dude abides.
I can see that, and Atlanta, too
SVG just seems a lot safer than Drew. I wanted to list all four teams, but I didn’t think it would be very bold if I just listed ever team that might possibly look for a coaching change/upgrade.
Phase 1: Collect underpants
Phase 2: ???
Phase 3: Profit!
Adelman should have no trouble landing a quality gig
Now all we need is the rest of the roster to get into "how can everybody help Nicco and Oden" mode. -- Oden Mad, Oden Smash! Sep 29, 2010 7:47 PM
Larry Drew should be fine there, since he was a cheap hire signed off on by ownership.
Even if Drew is fired, the Atlanta Hawks will likely make another cheap hire like Dwane Casey.
"They say it has no memory. That’s where I want to live the rest of my life. A warm place with no memory."
Good luck, Rick
I’m sure he’ll have a number of good opportunities to choose from.
Wiggada Wiggada Zers!
by Corvid on Apr 18, 2011 4:56 PM PDT reply actions 1 recs
Nice hearing from you, C!
Now all we need is the rest of the roster to get into "how can everybody help Nicco and Oden" mode. -- Oden Mad, Oden Smash! Sep 29, 2010 7:47 PM
Exactly what I was thinking
Everyone is a big drop off from Phil, but Adelman would be an excellent replacement for them. Wouldn’t surprise me at all.
Brian Shaw is apparently the frontrunner since he was a laker under phil...assistant under phil...knows the triangle and players...and several lakers want him as the new coach
LET'S PLAY SOME DAMN DEFENSE!!!!!!!!!!
by Batum Shakalaka on Apr 18, 2011 6:39 PM PDT up reply actions
He's earned himself a shot at the gig, too.
"They say it has no memory. That’s where I want to live the rest of my life. A warm place with no memory."
Don't see that working, so, hey, Buss, go for it!
Now all we need is the rest of the roster to get into "how can everybody help Nicco and Oden" mode. -- Oden Mad, Oden Smash! Sep 29, 2010 7:47 PM
Whoever follows P-Jack is going to suffer by comparison
but they might as well keep running the triangle, as it seems to work for them
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
Everything I've heard about Shaw is actually pretty good
It would not surprise me if he’s a very good coach, even though his team will be passing the apex of the curve by the time he takes over.
Yep, the fear for Brian Shaw is he may run right into the buzzsaw of Kobe Bryant's ...
declining years. That’d be tough for any person to deal with as coach, especially for a dude who once played an ancillary alongside Bryant and would be on his first head gig.
"They say it has no memory. That’s where I want to live the rest of my life. A warm place with no memory."
So, about that 2 years Nate...
If the Blazers get bounced in the 1st round again, is it conceivable that Allen, Cho&Co give Nate the axe and pick up the phone?
Stealth > Wealth
I guess I should rephrase my question...
How guaranteed is Nate’s contract, and could management slip out of it if they had their eye on Adelman?
Stealth > Wealth
As said below, Rick and Paul Allen are not getting together again.
"You're not too smart, are you? I like that in a man." - Matty Walker in Body Heat (1981)
by BlazerFanSince1970 on Apr 18, 2011 7:33 PM PDT up reply actions
I think Rick would have to buy the flowers and have them hand delivered by Geoff Petrie.
"You're not too smart, are you? I like that in a man." - Matty Walker in Body Heat (1981)
by BlazerFanSince1970 on Apr 18, 2011 8:14 PM PDT up reply actions
I expect a few more Blazers from that era to join the unemployment line soon, since Geoff ...
Petrie and Wayne Cooper ought to be left back in Sacramento when the Maloof’s move their regal franchise down to Anaheim. The guys working under Petrie in Sacramento is a hilarious bunch, as it includes Cooper, Shareef-Abdur Rahim, and his own son, Mike, who’s got nepotism to thank for his lot in life.
"They say it has no memory. That’s where I want to live the rest of my life. A warm place with no memory."
Hire him tonight as an assistant coach for the rest of playoffs.
"You're not too smart, are you? I like that in a man." - Matty Walker in Body Heat (1981)
by BlazerFanSince1970 on Apr 18, 2011 5:52 PM PDT reply actions 2 recs
Paul Allen won't pick up the phone
and Rick Adelman wouldn’t return the message, if he did
Nate received the proverbial vote of confidence a few weeks ago. It’s “McMillian or bust” for another 12 months
Who will last longer in Portland: Nate or Brandon? That amnesty clause following the lockout is looking more enticing with each passing week
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
Bad enough.
"You're not too smart, are you? I like that in a man." - Matty Walker in Body Heat (1981)
by BlazerFanSince1970 on Apr 18, 2011 7:30 PM PDT up reply actions
Basically, Paul cleared house. Looked like blaming, and since Rick had one of the best W-L records in basketball it was hard not to think it was personalities
Rick wanted to stay with what had worked. Paul wanted to go with a youth movement, and to put his imprint on the team and roster.
Now all we need is the rest of the roster to get into "how can everybody help Nicco and Oden" mode. -- Oden Mad, Oden Smash! Sep 29, 2010 7:47 PM
Yeah, I know that. I was joking.
I don’t expect any amnesty clause unless there is a real hard cap. I don’t think there will be.
Even if there was an amnesty clause you’re the one that keeps saying Paul Allen is on a budget (which I don’t agree with). But under your assumption, how does an amnesty clause then help the Blazers? They still have to pay Roy’s full salary, and then they have to replace him with money you say they don’t want to spend. So I’m thinking Nate leaves first.
If the Blazers lose in 1st round (which I expect) what do they do then? Hang on to the aging Miller and Camby and just keep running the same junk they do now? Nate’s never going to be coaching anything but the slowest paced team in the NBA. His offense is based on 3-pt shooting by one of the worst 3-pt shooting teams in the league, and his inflexibility to change his offense is becoming legendary. The mismatch between Nate’s style and his players talents seems hopeless without the All-star Brandon Roy. Oden’s the only hope I see to get out of mediocrity. But we will have a long summer, and fall, and part of a winter … to discuss that before they play again (I think).
"You're not too smart, are you? I like that in a man." - Matty Walker in Body Heat (1981)
by BlazerFanSince1970 on Apr 18, 2011 7:30 PM PDT up reply actions 2 recs
I'm on the other end when it comes to an amnesty clause
Rumor was that both the teams and the players’ association was happy with the one-time clause after the previous negotiations, so it seems to be likely again. I have a feeling that they’ll add in a salary cap removal this time, as opposed to just luxury tax, but it’s pure speculation on my part all around.
I have a bad feeling that it’ll be called the Brandon Roy clause in the pacific northwest.
You could be right. Anything can happen in the CBA negotiations.
"You're not too smart, are you? I like that in a man." - Matty Walker in Body Heat (1981)
by BlazerFanSince1970 on Apr 18, 2011 8:12 PM PDT up reply actions
I agree with this, Tim.
"They say it has no memory. That’s where I want to live the rest of my life. A warm place with no memory."
It seems to make the best economic sense, from a negotiating perspective
Give up a bad contract per team, for a max of 30 players, in exchange for something like a higher share of BRI, a softer cap, or a second MLE for the other 400 or so players in the union? I mean, I’d do that if I were the NBAPA.
Phase 1: Collect underpants
Phase 2: ???
Phase 3: Profit!
As a bonus, it means they continue to pay a player no longer on the roster
While opening up a roster position to pay another player, using the newly gained cap space. That’s a win all around. That’s why I expect them to approve a salary cap reprieve this time.
Especially if they somehow make it harder to go over the cap
Phase 1: Collect underpants
Phase 2: ???
Phase 3: Profit!
Luxury tax money
if the Blazers are allowed to opt out of Roy’s (can we say it yet? albatross) contract after the new CBA, they’ll have money “freed up” to offer Oden and Batum for their upcoming extensions without paying matching dollars to Uncle Stern, all for the privilege of watching Brandon have a nice game every month or so
Where would Portland be without the aging Miller and Camby? Certainly not playing ball right now. The future is in flux, but the core is LMA, Wallace, Matthews and Batum and there’s a decent chance Oden will be ready when the games resume. Sure, Greg will have a lot of rust to knock off, but if Bayno and Buck are still around #52 will be up to speed sooner or later
My main concerns are philosophical, the coaching and scouting departments need to take a hard look at what really works in the post season (like Presti did in OKC) and keep adding hard bodies like Matthews and Wallace to the mix.The problem is, Paul Allen likes to have the final say on draft day, and that has led to decisions like Patty and Rudy in the past. (Not to mention 1st round “punts” like Claver) Cho needs to plot a new course, but no GM since Whitsitt has been able to redirect Paul when the owner has his mind made up
Used to be that lack of post-season success would send a Blazer’s coach packing (Adelman, Carlesimo, Dunleavy, etc) but Mr. Sonic appears to be made out of teflon, as far as the owner and his Vulcans are concerned. I hope the basketball gods smile on Portland and they make it out of round 1 (for ’Dre’s sake, if nothing else) but I fear the team is in a holding pattern, similar to the ‘80s. Ironically, it was Allen who purchased the team late in the decade and snapped the franchise out of it’s mediocre funk, along with some savvy talent scouting by one Morris Buckwalter. It would be nice if 2011-2020 is as successful as the decade of the ‘90s was in Blazerland, but it’s not looking that way at this point in time
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
I'm not sure there will be a luxury tax under the new CBA. Some sort of revenue sharing system seems more likely
with a stronger, but not hard cap.
But actually, I think all bets are off on the new CBA. The owners are looking for a huge reduction in player payroll and that suggests a long and brutal fight with the players. In the end there could be some major surprises and out-of-the-box solutions necessary to get a deal. I wouldn’t bet on anything when it comes to the next CBA.
"You're not too smart, are you? I like that in a man." - Matty Walker in Body Heat (1981)
by BlazerFanSince1970 on Apr 19, 2011 1:39 AM PDT up reply actions
Allen agreed to accept Wallace's contract in March
this all but guaranteed the franchise would lose money this season, and the next 2, based on the current reckoning
unless…Paul “knew something” about how the new CBA is going to play out. Why wouldn’t he have inside info? There are only 30 owners and along with Stern they will make sure they wrest the concessions from the PA that they’ve pre-planned
So luxury tax or no, hard cap, revenue sharing, whatever…Allen and the Vulcans know they’re going to come out of the lockout even or below what the franchise can afford, going forward. The main questions are what that means for Roy and his contract, and what new salary rules Cho will have to learn how to exploit
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
Yowza
A post about Rick Adelman and Houston parting ways morphed into a discussion of Brandon’s knees? Must be one of those days . . .
Wiggada Wiggada Zers!
by Corvid on Apr 18, 2011 8:57 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
you can't talk about anything on this blog without someone finding a way to make it about Brandon Roy.
I think if you paid people to not mention Brandon Roy’s name, they couldn’t do it, it’s like an obsession.
#52
by bustabucket on Apr 18, 2011 9:05 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
If Roy is paid off, following the lockout
then Brandon can live a quiet life in relative obscurity, raise his kids in peace and Blazer fans can move on with the LMA era
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
If Brandon retires in peace, I also expect him to return to some role on the Blazers in the future
Like many former players, he’d be welcome as an ambassador in various ways. That’s assuming Brandon couldn’t resist another crack at the NBA. He’s quite the competitor.
yes he is
but Brandon’s shouldn’t be overpaid to compete when his body won’t allow him to perform at the highest level
it’s a shame, he deserves a better fate and nothing like this should happen to a nice kid like Roy. OTOH, his grandchildren will never have to work a day in their lives, at least not to put food on the table.
I don’t think Brandon minds being in the background, now that LMA is the player the reporters huddle around. Many franchises have been hamstrung financially by making what seemed to be a wise investment in a player, only to have him get hurt before the end of the deal. Portland will likely be presented a “get out of jail free” card in about 9 months. I think they should play that card. Not to disrespect what Brandon has done, but to put the team’s future on better footing
If Roy wants to coach (high school, college, pros) or hold a microphone after his playing days are through, that’s up to him
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
Brandon, Brandon, Brandon!
Now all we need is the rest of the roster to get into "how can everybody help Nicco and Oden" mode. -- Oden Mad, Oden Smash! Sep 29, 2010 7:47 PM
Wesley must have felt like Jan Brady, the other night
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
If Brandon is paid off, I expect he will play somewhere else for a much lower salary. I can't see him quitting after this year.
"You're not too smart, are you? I like that in a man." - Matty Walker in Body Heat (1981)
by BlazerFanSince1970 on Apr 19, 2011 1:40 AM PDT up reply actions
Like most pro athletes, I'm sure he'll still have the competitive streak inside of him.
"They say it has no memory. That’s where I want to live the rest of my life. A warm place with no memory."
then Brandon can live a quiet life in relative obscurity
you may wish that he will live a quiet life. That’s not gonna happen. He’ll play for another team or work for the Blazers. Sorry your wish won’t come true.
not my wish
I wish he had a miraculous recovery and could ball like it was 2007again
but you know what they say about wishing in one hand…
Roy seems to be the stay at home family type, that’s why I mentioned the quiet part. He can do whatever he wants with his life after the lockout, but his salary will need to be dealt with for the team to move forward, and it looks like the front office will be handed that opportunity on a silver platter
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
If you paid me not to mention Brandon, all I would do is talk about how I never talk about Brandon
which is, in effect, talking about Brandon’s. What a conundrum!
Phase 1: Collect underpants
Phase 2: ???
Phase 3: Profit!
Don't think about Brandon Roy!
And elephants, either!
Now all we need is the rest of the roster to get into "how can everybody help Nicco and Oden" mode. -- Oden Mad, Oden Smash! Sep 29, 2010 7:47 PM
I think Nate needs to hire both Sloan and Adelman as his assistants.
:D
Being a Blazer fan is not exactly healthy.
that would be fire and ice
I’m not sure either man would relish being 2nd fiddle
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
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