The Houston Rockets have expressed interest in former Nets and Grizzlies head coach Lionel Hollins, according to Jonathan Feigen of the Houston Chronicle. Feigen summarized the present status of Houston’s coaching search, stating Hollins is registering interest from the team towards the end of his piece:
Much as they did in 2011, the Rockets have begun a wide-ranging search, meeting with interim coach J.B. Bickerstaff, associate head coach Chris Finch and former Rockets star Sam Cassell. Bickerstaff withdrew from consideration for the position. ESPN reported that former Suns, Knicks and Lakers coach Mike D’Antoni is scheduled to meet with Morey. The Rockets have expressed interest in former Grizzlies and Nets coach Lionel Hollins and former Suns coach Jeff Hornacek.
Following the unexpected firing of Kevin McHale in November, the train-wreck known as the Houston Rockets have been underwhelming throughout the entire season.
Houston is likely searching for a candidate wiling to change the commitment and the mindset of its players, especially considering the countless issues and poor publicity Houston has seen this year. The most recent report, as many know, explained how Rockets’ All-Star guard James Harden frequently skipped riding the team bus on away games, opting to travel alone instead.
Wednesday night, Rockets interim head coach J.B. Bickerstaff officially withdrew his name from consideration for the Rockets vacant coaching job.
With Bickerstaff officially out as coach, the Rockets will now accelerate its search in hopes of narrowing a broad range of targets down to a select few. Lionel Hollins, who left the Brooklyn Nets in January, may possibly wind up becoming a finalist for the job. Only time will tell.
Throughout nine season serving as a head coach, Lionel Hollins holds a career coaching record of 262-272 (.491). It remains unknown if Houston has scheduled an interview with Hollins yet, however.
