Houston Rockets: What Lies Ahead For Kevin McHale?

Houston Rockets coach Kevin McHale is coaching in the last year of his deal, and if the team doesn’t meet expectations may not be re-signed.

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After taking over as head coach of the Houston Rockets in 2011, Kevin McHale has often been the scape goat for a team that has sometimes underachieved in a tough Western Conference. Now he’s in the final year of his contract and with James Harden, Dwight Howard and a good supporting cast, expectations are high in Houston. If they disappoint again, McHale could be the man out.

Team owner Leslie Alexander told the Houston Chronicle that McHale’s job will not be judged on the team’s post-season success alone.

"“We don’t judge people like that. We judge by how good a job we think people have done during the year.”“I think the team is playing really well, and he’s done a very good job. I like the way the team is playing. We are defending better. Obviously, our stars are playing very well. Everything looks better when you shoot so well, but they’re doing a very good job.”"

In the same interview, Alexander admitted how tough the disappointing offseason was for the Rockets–who were hoping to sign Chris Bosh and re-sign restricted free agent Chandler Parsons. However, after trading key role players Omer Asik and Jeremy Lin to create enough space for an added star, the team didn’t sign either of them and and instead replaced Parsons with Trevor Ariza. It’s a tough pill to swallow for a team with championship hopes.

But those hopes don’t go away without the addition of a major free agent. As far as McHale, he’s a decent coach though probably not a great one. If Houston gets knocked out in the first round again, chances are he doesn’t return.

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