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As reported earlier this morning by Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo Sports, the Houston Rockets have fired Head Coach Kevin McHale. Expected to be conference contenders, the Rockets started the season 4-7. From General Manager Daryl Morey:
Morey: "The team was not responding to Kevin McHale. There is no time in the West."
— Jonathan Feigen (@Jonathan_Feigen) November 18, 2015
As this Tweet points out, the Rockets ranked near the bottom of the league in several key categories:
Rockets 29th in defensive efficiency, 24th in offensive efficiency, 29th in 3-point shooting. Kevin McHale fired: https://t.co/LVixZUR1oD
— Jeff Zillgitt (@JeffZillgitt) November 18, 2015
But parting ways with McHale won't come cheap:
Kevin McHale signed a three-year, $12 million extension a year ago. So the Rockets will pay for decision to fire him now.
— Jeff Zillgitt (@JeffZillgitt) November 18, 2015
McHale amassed a 193-130 record with the Rockets. He led them to the Conference Finals last season but carried a 13-16 playoff record overall.
Assistant Coach J.B. Bickerstaff will take over the reins for Houston's game tonight versus the Portland Trail Blazers.