Houston Rockets: Effort Measured By Numbers

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Nov 6, 2015; Sacramento, CA, USA; Houston Rockets head coach Kevin McHale and guard James Harden (13) during the third quarter against the Sacramento Kings at Sleep Train Arena. The Houston Rockets defeated the Sacramento Kings 116-110. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports /

Has Kevin McHale Lost The Locker Room?

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This question brings me no pleasure to ask. Kevin McHale may not be the best coach in the NBA, but until this season began nobody questioned whether he was the man for the job, and he was never considered to be a hindrance for the Rockets. Now, it seems like his roster is populated with guys who have no desire to break a sweat.

It’s an overused and inaccurate cliche to suggest that professional athletes in general and NBA players in particular don’t care, but this team doesn’t pass the eye test or the numbers test. They’re getting outworked on the floor and in the box score, and this was a team noted for its effort a season ago.

Is it Kevin McHale’s fault that things have gone to hell in Houston?

No, it’s not, but for a franchise known for treating players more like assets than human beings at times, there may be a clock softly ticking in Kevin McHale’s ear. That clock will get louder if things don’t turn around quickly.

There are qualified coaches currently unemployed, like Tom Thibodeau, Mike D’Antoni, and even Scott Brooks, who coached James Harden with the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Next: 25 Best Players To Play for the Houston Rockets

It would be a shame for this poor start to cause the Rockets to relieve Kevin McHale of his duties, but there may be a finite amount of time left for him to turn things around.

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