Mike D'Antoni Articles - Page 12

The Houston Rockets knew they’d have to play at another level matched up against the Golden State Warriors in the Western Conference Finals. After two games, the series is tied and if the Rockets were being honest, they’re happy enough with where they are sitting after a statement in Game 2. Perhaps the most impressive […]

With just one game in, most are convinced that the Golden State Warriors are truly the better team than the Houston Rockets. Head coach Mike D’Antoni already seems to know this, but being the competitor that he is, he won’t accept it as a fact. As reported by Connor Letourneau of the San Francisco Chronicle, […]

Game 1 of the Western Conference finals did not go well for the Houston Rockets, who took a 119-106 loss from the Golden State Warriors at home on Monday. That despite the fact that Stephen Curry scored only 18 points and shot just 1-for-5 from behind the arc. With Kevin Durant and Klay Thompson chipping […]

Houston Rockets head coach Mike D’Antoni was unequivocally refusing to make any major changes to his offensive approach after falling short in Game 1 against the Golden State Warriors. His counterpart Steve Kerr offered the same principle, agreeing with his colleague on the matter. “Mike is right,” said Kerr, according to Logan Murdock of the […]

Coming off a brutal 119-106 loss in Game 1 of the series against the Golden State Warriors, Houston Rockets head coach Mike D’Antoni refused to change his iso-heavy approach in this series, rather noting his team should have a massive sense of urgency coming into Game 2 on Wednesday. “This comes down to a dogfight,” said […]

The Houston Rockets suffered a painful blow in Game 1 against the Golden State Warriors, giving away their home court advantage during a 119-106 loss on Monday night. In true Clutch City fashion, the Rockets had 45 isolation plays in Game 1, the most in the last five postseasons, according to Second Spectrum — and […]

Despite an eye-popping 37-point performance by Kevin Durant in a 119-106 Game 1 victory for the Golden State Warriors, Houston Rockets head coach Mike D’Antoni seemed more concerned with Klay Thompson happily hoisting 15 3-pointers on Monday night. “He is 7 feet and falling away. He’s one of the best scorers ever, right? So I […]

Several years ago, Mike D’Antoni was the brain behind the Phoenix Suns’ groundbreaking offense that gave a premium on speeding up the game’s pace. It was called “Seven Seconds or Less” due to that offensive system’s up-tempo style, one that tries to get players taking shots before the opposing team could set up its defense. […]

The Houston Rockets are set to enter their first trip to the Western Conference Finals for the first time since 2015 where they will have the challenge of facing the defending champion Golden State Warriors in a much-anticipated series. Houston heads into the matchup holding homecourt advantage as the top overall seed in the conference […]

The Golden State Warriors and Houston Rockets are getting ready for Game 1 of the 2018 Western Conference Finals on Monday night. More importantly, however, both head coaches in Steve Kerr and Mike D’Antoni are preparing their respective teams for one thing they’re both known for: going on extended scoring runs. Often times in the […]

Houston Rockets head coach Mike D’Antoni has developed a special relationship with his superstar James Harden, one perhaps even his own wife; Laurel, his lifetime sounding board, has grown to envy. While Laurel and Mike are married off the court, the marriage between The Beard and the offensive genius has been one of the league’s […]

Chris Paul, highly considered one of the best point guards in NBA history, has finally booked a ticket to the Western Conference Finals for the first time in his career. It’s been a long journey for Paul. At times he’s been accused of faltering in the clutch, especially during several of the L.A. Clippers’ late-game […]

In the old days, a fast break automatically meant attacking the basket hard. In the modern era of the NBA, it is no longer uncommon for a player to opt for a pull up three as opposed to a theoretically higher percentage option of driving strong to the basket. Golden State Warriors head coach Steve […]

Golden State Warriors center Zaza Pachulia has logged fewer playoff minutes than the games the team has played, garnering only eight in total between Games 3 and 4 of the series against the New Orleans Pelicans, which came to an end on Tuesday night. Head coach Steve Kerr has gone to a small lineup, landing […]

The Houston Rockets ventured outside of their comfort zone to warrant a 100-87 win against a tough Utah Jazz team, grabbing a 3- lead in the Western Conference semifinals. While the well had run dry for marksmen like James Harden, Eric Gordon, and Trevor Ariza, All-Star point guard Chris Paul went to his bread-and-butter, as […]

Despite a painful loss at home to the Utah Jazz, Houston Rockets head coach Mike D’Antoni will remain committed to his small lineup against the twin towers of Derrick Favors and Rudy Gobert, hoping the small adjustments will suffice to pay back with the same coin. The Rockets swiveled between P.J. Tucker and Ryan Anderson, […]

The Houston Rockets were unable to keep their home court dominance, falling to the visiting Utah Jazz 116-108 in Game 2 to even up the series at 1-1. Rockets head coach Mike D’Antoni said his team didn’t have the right approach coming into the game, bested by a team with more intensity. “We can correct […]

The Utah Jazz have seen plenty of fits facing the Houston Rockets and their star player, James Harden, who only needed 37 minutes to drop 41 points, eight rebounds, and seven assists in a 110-96 Game 1 win to tip off the series. Figuring out a scheme to stop Harden will be the top priority […]

The Houston Rockets have a 3-1 series lead over the Minnesota Timberwolves but it didn’t always look like winning this series was any sure thing. The Rockets were having issues hitting shots and James Harden wasn’t playing like he did during the regular season. It all turned around during the 3rd quarter of Game 4 […]

The Houston Rockets took game one over the Minnesota Timberwolves. They won by three points, 104-101. Rockets head coach Mike D’Antoni believes that despite the win, his team didn’t play well in the first game. As reported by Tim MacMahon, D’Antoni said: Mike D’Antoni didn’t think Rockets played well in Game 1. “If you keep […]

Chris Paul’s absence from the Houston Rockets starting lineup isn’t an excuse for a loss to the San Antonio Spurs in head coach Mike D’Antoni’s eyes, as their run of 11 straight wins came to an end with a road defeat. The Rockets sustained only their second loss since the All-Star break and were held […]

Houston Rockets coach Mike D’Antoni isn’t buying the trend of player rests down the stretch. He is, instead, a huge believer in continuity and establishing a rhythm on the court. “You gotta be careful about taking guys out and rest,” said D’Antoni after a loss to the San Antonio Spurs on Sunday. “Everyone wants rest, […]

When people usually think of the Houston Rockets and head coach Mike D’Antoni, they think of lots of scoring and a very fast-paced offense. However, since the All-Star break, Houston has actually been owners of the third-best defense in terms of opponents’ points according to a graphic posted earlier today on ABC during the Rockets’ […]

The Houston Rockets were able to make franchise history with their 59th win in the 2017-18 NBA season. Needless to say, it came in typical Rockets fashion with a 114-91 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans on Saturday. However, it seems head coach Mike d’Antoni may have been the only one excited by it. According […]

Houston Rockets head coach Mike D’Antoni praised his star shooting guard James Harden following a statement game over the red-hot Portland Trail Blazers, calling him the best offensive player he’s ever seen. Chris Broussard called out the 66-year-old coach on his claim, noting his offensive system has made players flourish multiple times and taken their […]

It was only 1:59 left on the shot clock and James Harden was being guarded closely near the corner by Trail Blazers star Damian Lillard. After a few more dribbles, Al-Farouq Aminu joined Lillard, double-teaming Harden and closing off any way of escaping. This was crunch time, and the score was 110-104 as the game continued […]

James Harden put on a show-stopping performance, putting an end to the Portland Trail Blazers’ 13-game winning streak on Tuesday night after dropping 42 points, six rebounds, and seven assists in a 115-111 victory. While not one of his best statistical nights in comparison to his 60-point triple-double antics, Harden impressed and solidified his case […]

Defense wins championships, so they say. The Houston Rockets, helmed by offensive wizard Mike D’Antoni knows this saying all so well. The teams he has coached so far have been known for scoring bucket after bucket with relative ease. Yet come the playoffs, he seems to fall short, primarily because his gets pummeled on the […]

The Houston Rockets have proved that they are this year’s hottest team, currently possessing the best record in the league. After being embarrassed by the San Antonio Spurs last year in the postseason, the Rockets have rebounded quite nicely. In the off-season, the Rockets traded for Chris Paul, adding another playmaker to their roster. Surprisingly, […]

Houston Rockets shooting guard Eric Gordon had been a large component missing from the team’s equation, as he was out for four straight games with an illness. The sharpshooter came back and connected on seven 3-pointers on only eleven attempts Saturday against the Boston Celtics. It was only Gordon’s second game back, but now he […]

Having made some moves to bolster this league-leading roster, Houston Rockets head coach Mike D’Antoni expects some sacrifices to be made, as the team enters the last stretch of the NBA season. Starters like Ryan Anderson have had their roles reduced due to the acquisition of guys like Chris Paul and P.J. Tucker, along with […]

On Friday afternoon, Houston Rockets veteran small forward Trevor Ariza was back at practice and is up to 100 percent. He will be ready to go and back in head coach Mike D’Antoni’s lineup on Friday night when the Rockets host the Minnesota Timberwolves in a primetime game. Additionally, Houston also does not have any […]

As with any All-Star Game, this year’s festivities allowed participants to relax and have some fun before finishing the rest of the 2017-18 NBA season. Meanwhile, the actual game itself also comes with its fair share of challenges. Coaches must find a way to get all their players adequate time in the game while hoping to […]

For the Houston Rockets (44-13) and superstar guard James Harden, there is plenty to smile about right now. The Rockets currently have the league’s best record and recently added two veteran players in shooting guard Joe Johnson and power forward Brandan Wright for depth on their bench and added experience for the postseason. In an […]

Joe Johnson was reunited with his former coach Mike D’Antoni last night as his new team, the Houston Rockets, took down the Sacramento Kings, making it 10 in a row to claim sole possession of the best record in the league. Prior to the start of the game, D’Antoni went on to talk about Johnson, […]

It was quite a big surprise when Houston Rockets star point guard Chris Paul was not named as an NBA All-Star for the 2017-18 season. One of those people who was stunned by Paul being left out was none other than Rockets head coach Mike D’Antoni. In an interview posted by Tim McMahon of ESPN, D’Antoni […]

On Saturday night, the Golden State Warriors (37-9) will conclude their five-game road trip against the Houston Rockets in search of a franchise record 15th straight victory outside of the Oracle Arena confines. It will be a battle between two elite offenses and two head coaches who have a ton of respect for one another […]

Houston Rockets head coach Mike D’Antoni accused L.A. Clippers forward Blake Griffin of making contact with him prior to a heated exchange that saw both coach and player get a technical foul each for it, according to ESPN’s Tim MacMahon. “You mean after he hit me? I didn’t appreciate it,” D’Antoni said after he was […]

Houston Rockets star James Harden will miss at least two weeks due to a Grade 2 hamstring strain before he gets re-evaluated. That means he could be out for much longer. Rockets head coach Mike D’Antoni didn’t have a definitive timeline for Harden’s return, but he estimates it could be up to four weeks before […]