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5 reasons why the Houston Rockets should not hire Mike D’Antoni

By Philip Rossman-Reich

Dec 26, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Philadelphia 76ers associate head coach Mike D'Antoni prior to the game against the Phoenix Suns at Talking Stick Resort Arena. The 76ers defeated the Suns 111-104. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 26, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Philadelphia 76ers associate head coach Mike D'Antoni prior to the game against the Phoenix Suns at Talking Stick Resort Arena. The 76ers defeated the Suns 111-104. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mike D'Antoni, Philadelphia 76ers
Dec 26, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Philadelphia 76ers associate head coach Mike D’Antoni prior to the game against the Phoenix Suns at Talking Stick Resort Arena. The 76ers defeated the Suns 111-104. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /

The Houston Rockets seem to be targeting Mike D’Antoni for their next head coach. While it seems like a good fit, this is the wrong choice for them.

The NBA coaching carousel is slowly turning to a halt with the New York Knicks reportedly agreeing to hire Jeff Hornacek and the Orlando Magic reportedly agreeing in principle to bring Frank Vogel into the fold. That leaves just the Houston Rockets and Memphis Grizzlies looking for coaches.

The Grizzlies had their eyes on Vogel and appear set to hire a big assortment of assistant coaches as that franchise seems poised to take on a new direction facing some free agency decisions.

The Rockets?

The Rockets still have those memories of last year’s trip to the Western Conference Finals. And while the team may lose out on Dwight Howard this summer at center, this is still a team with James Harden and an incredibly talented roster.

Whatever issues existed with the team this past year, there is no reason to believe the Rockets could not quickly rebound and be a threat in the Western Conference again. James Harden is still one of the best scorers in the league and Daryl Morey has always been able to find shooters to help him spread the floor.

This is a team that could rebound quickly if they get the right coach.

So far the Rockets too have gone through their share of assistant coaching candidates. One name though has emerged as the most interesting.

Houston reportedly met with the offensive mastermind and interviewed him for the head coaching job. D’Antoni’s name certainly has more sizzle than respected assistants like Rex Kalamaian, Stephen Silas or Jeff Bzdelik.

Despite the scores of interviews the Rockets have given, Marc Stein and Calvin Watkins of ESPN.com report D’Antoni is still viewed as the favorite.

And this is a bad idea for the Rockets, despite all the seeming advantages D’Antoni has and the success he has built in the league.

Here are five reasons hiring D’Antoni would be a mistake for the Rockets.

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