Rockets Players Can’t Believe Rick Adelman Is Gone

The Rockets and their head coach parted ways “mutually”, something that did not leave a good taste in some of the players’ mouths. From the Houston Chronicle: “I’m kind of speechless,’ [Kevin] Martin said. ‘To be losing a coach of his caliber, and also losing a lot of good coaches, a lot of good people, it’s very hard. I think we lost one of the greatest coaches of all time. We took a step backwards. It’s like losing a great player. You see what happens. But for now, we took a step backwards.’ Rockets players last week emphasized in season-ending interviews with Rockets general manager Daryl Morey that they hoped that Adelman would be brought back, an indication of their feelings, but also that they knew there was a good chance he would not return. Still, when they received the news, several seemed stunned. ‘For me personally, it’s very upsetting,’ Rockets point guard and co-captain Kyle Lowry said. ‘It’s a business. Coach and management I guess could not get on same page. It’s hard hitting. He’s one of the best coaches I’ve ever had personally and I’m sure my teammates feel same way. He’s a great motivator, a great players’ coach. He understood the game and players and how to get through to us.’ Center Brad Miller specifically chose the Rockets to play for Adelman again after several seasons together in Sacramento. Miller said he saw the change coming, but still hoped that Adelman and Morey would work things out for Adelman to return. ‘Obviously, I’m disappointed,’ Miller said. ‘I hoped they would bring him back the way everything got going this year. He still wanted to coach. It came down to if they wanted him. He was still coaching, doing all he could do. He had the desire and will and wanted to. That is the NBA. Every so often, they throw out a reminder to you it still is a business. He’s been there, done that, coached all over, been successful. But I had that feeling like all of us it wasn’t going to work for him to be back. It’s sad.'”