Fansided

Mike D’Antoni looks like broken man as Spurs beat down Rockets in Game 6

By John Buhler

May 5, 2017; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Rockets head coach Mike D'Antoni coaches against the San Antonio Spurs in game three of the second round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Toyota Center. San Antonio won 103-92. Mandatory Credit: Thomas B. Shea-USA TODAY Sports
May 5, 2017; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Rockets head coach Mike D'Antoni coaches against the San Antonio Spurs in game three of the second round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Toyota Center. San Antonio won 103-92. Mandatory Credit: Thomas B. Shea-USA TODAY Sports /
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Houston Rockets head coach Mike D’Antoni looks dejected on the bench as the familiar San Antonio Spurs buzz saw destroys another fine season for D’Antoni.

When Mike D’Antoni opted to bring the Seven Seconds or Less offense to the Houston Rockets this past summer, many were skeptical of the Rockets’ hiring of the twice-failed NBA head coach. Though he had great success with the Phoenix Suns, that was almost a decade ago.

Despite rampant questions if another D’Antoni team wouldn’t play a lick of defense, this was a successful first season for the Rockets. Houston finished as the No. 3 seed in the Western Conference playoff picture. The Rockets handled the Oklahoma City Thunder in five games in round one.

However, D’Antoni’s first season in Houston comes to an end tonight, as his perpetual basketball tormentor Gregg Popovich and his San Antonio Spurs wiped the Toyota Center hardwood in Game 6 with he and his team. D’Antoni could not look more dejected sitting on the sidelines early in the fourth quarter of his embarrassing blowout defeat.

San Antonio was the team that prevented the Seven Seconds or Less Suns from getting to an NBA Finals. D’Antoni’s best Suns team in 2007 would have waxed LeBron James’ Cleveland Cavaliers in the NBA Finals that June.

Instead, we have Houston getting ready to get ready for the upcoming 2017 NBA Draft and impending free agency. San Antonio will get its first crack at the Golden State Warriors in the NBA Playoffs since Golden State broke through into a juggernaut. Keep in mind that the Spurs did beat the Warriors in their last postseason meeting in the 2013 Western Conference Semifinals.

Next: The 20 different emotions of Gregg Popovich

There is a lot for D’Antoni and the Rockets to be proud of from 2016-17. They were one of the most exhilarating teams to watch compete nightly. James Harden had a MVP-level season, but a weak seven-man rotation and a lack of attention to detail was enough for Popovich’s Spurs to pulverize Houston into the 2017 Western Conference Finals.

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