Can the Rockets win a championship with Kevin McHale? That’s a gigantic question & I think the answer for me is a resounding NO. Let me make a couple things clear.
I think McHale has done a good job in some areas. As Jeff Van Gundy has stated, players generally improve under his watch. But isn’t that natural when the players he’s been given for the most part are so young?
He’s a players coach and this team loves McHale… and rightly so. He’s got some Rudy T qualities. He’s affable. He’s a former player. He allows some freedom in his offense, maybe too much at times. He has their respect.
My biggest issue is McHale the strategist. You’ll never hear these words come out of somebody’s mouth. “McHale just out-coached that guy.” Rudy wasn’t a great strategist but Rudy had Dream… Hakeem could make any coach look like a genius.
But one thing Rudy understood is who & when to substitute. He had a real feel for the game. McHale seems lost at times. Players play too many minutes for no reason. They end up in foul trouble for no reason. As much as he preaches defense, I don’t see great defensive strategy & he always leans towards offense in player substitution over defense late in games.
I like Kevin McHale. I root for the guy. It’s hard not to. I just don’t think he can win a championship. It’s that simple.
