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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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Steve Kerr, Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors
Mar 28, 2015; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr reacts with guard Stephen Curry (30) in the fourth quarter during the game against the Milwaukee Bucks at BMO Harris Bradley Center. The Warriors beat the Bucks 108-95. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports /

The league has caught up to him

When Mike D’Antoni took over the Phoenix Suns in the 2004 season, no one was thinking the way he thought.

The idea of playing 6-foot-8 Shawn Marion at power forward sounded preposterous. Shooting 3-pointer carte blanche was ridiculous. Pushing the pace was a novelty act.

D’Antoni and his Suns teams were the first ones to figure out how to be successful doing all these things, forcing teams to match up and keep up to them. They ran through the league and seriously contended for the NBA championship.

Now all this is the norm. The 6-foot-8 Draymond Green is playing center. Teams are shooting more 3-pointers than ever before. Pace is up all around the league.

The principles D’Antoni instilled in those Suns teams are now normal. His system is no longer unique.

So what is the attraction to him anymore? Is it just that he knows how to install and run such a system? Is there anything innovative with him anymore?

The reality is since leaving the Suns, D’Antoni disappointed with the Knicks and disappointed with the Lakers. He went from innovative coach to also-ran coach. He feels like he is someone who is on the scrap heap of recycled coaches now.

People can talk about him as the innovator and with reverence, but everyone is doing what he did. Stan Van Gundy improved upon it. Steve Kerr has improved upon it. Frankly, Van Gundy and Kerr both made Finals appearances and D’Antoni has not. He has been passed in this arms race.

Next: Offense is not the problem

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