Coaching Changes Around The NBA

By David
Kaye

Rick Adelman is in as Rockets' head coach, replacing the fired Jeff Van Gundy, and Brian Hill has been let go by the Orlando Magic.

Adelman is the quintessential choice for Houston because they already have in place two superstars in Yao and T-Mac, and they are ready to make another deep run into the playoffs. As coach of Portland and Sacramento Adelman made the playoffs 14 out of 14 times.

Most of all, Rick is a respected coach who understands how to manage a game and will get the most out of his player night in and night out.

After two unproductive seasons with Orlando Brian Hill will not have the opportunity to right the ship with the Magic. The team went 40-42 this year and were embarrassed in the first-round of the playoffs by the Pistons. The series was never close as Detroit never lost a game.

With budding talent around him, I was surprised that Hill was not able to accomplish more with the club. All-Star Dwight Howard is emerging into a superstar in the league, point guard Jameer Nelson does a solid job running the point, big man Darko Milicic has an abundance of talent and last year's first-round pick J.J. Redick is money from outside.

Since Hill's departure as head coach in 1997 the Magic have not advanced past the first-round, but if the correct coach is put in place Orlando could enjoy a great deal of success in the 2007-2008 season.

Notes: Former heat head coach Stan Van Gundy rejected the Pacers' head coaching offer, opting to stay with his family in South Florida.