Kevin McHale is steadily gaining internal support, league sources told The Vertical. If Cousins truly is the future, the Kings have to hire a coach he will buy into, and McHale, a respected voice and one of the game’s all-time great post players, certainly seems like a good fit.
They won’t get him, of course
McHale indeed emerged as a candidate, and though it took him a little longer than other prominent former head coaches, McHale also came to the conclusion Mannix foresaw,
Marc Stein of ESPN:
Kevin McHale has withdrawn from consideration for the Sacramento Kings' coaching vacancy, according to league sources.
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) May 5, 2016
This is part of the reason Sacramento talking to everybody. The Kings don’t know whom they can get.
An owner who has changed course too often in Vivek Ranadive, a general manager with too little experience in Vlade Divac, a top player who repeatedly feuds with coaches in DeMarcus Cousins – who’d want this job? Probably not someone who could get one of the NBA’s other 29 head-coaching gigs, and that might apply to McHale.
Mitch Lawrence of Sporting News:
After Larry Bird's criticisms on Frank Vogel, Pacer execs in player exit meetings: Next year we'll be going up-tempo more, scoring more...
— Mitch Lawrence (@Mitch_Lawrence) May 4, 2016
...using fewer sets and playing more like Golden State. Can't see how this helps Vogel keep his job. Sounds like Kevin McHale on his way.
— Mitch Lawrence (@Mitch_Lawrence) May 4, 2016
Frank Vogel is still twisting in the wind, but it seems unlikely the Pacers keep him.
There’d definitely be something intriguing about former Celtics teammates Larry Bird and Kevin McHale teaming up in Indiana. McHale’s experience with the Rockets could help him install an up-tempo offense, too.
