HoopsHype.com Rumors

Jeremy Lin: Prayers and condolences to Coach McHale and his family ... RIP Sasha Twitter

Houston Rockets, Kevin McHale, Jeremy Lin 

Steve Novak: My deepest condolences go out to Kevin McHale and his family. You are in our prayers Twitter @stevenovak20

Houston Rockets, New York Knicks, Kevin McHale, Steve Novak 

LeBron James: Sorry to hear about Kevin McHale daughter passing away. My prayers goes out to the entire family. Tough times i bet. #NBAFamily Twitter @KingJames

Houston Rockets, Miami Heat, LeBron James, Kevin McHale 

McHale’s youngest daughter Sasha had died on Saturday in Minneapolis. She had been hospitalized with a condition related to her long battle with Lupus, an auto immune disease. She was 23 years old. “Sasha was a daddy’s girl,” said Kelvin Sampson, who has been Rockets acting head coach since McHale took a leave of absence Nov. 10 to be with her and his family. “I remember last year during the lockout when we were meeting, she got sick. She was on a study abroad and had to come back. He just talked about her all the time. It’s just tough. It’s terrible. Terrible, terrible, terrible.” Houston Chronicle

Houston Rockets, Kevin McHale, Kelvin Sampson 

“It’s really tough,” Rockets guard Jeremy Lin said. “It’s, it’s a little emotional. Obviously, we all care about coach a lot. To see what he’s going through puts perspective into everything that we’re really dealing with or working toward. Houston Chronicle

Houston Rockets, Kevin McHale, Jeremy Lin 

Houston Rockets Owner Leslie Alexander released the following statement regarding the passing of Head Coach Kevin McHale's daughter, Alexandra "Sasha" McHale: "I extend my deepest condolences to Kevin and Lynn for the loss of their beautiful daughter, Sasha, on Saturday afternoon. Kevin and Lynn are loving and dedicated parents who will need our continued support throughout this very difficult time. Our entire organization is mourning the McHale family's loss and we ask that you keep them in your thoughts and prayers." NBA.com

Houston Rockets, Kevin McHale, Leslie Alexander 

Tom Ziller: Heartbreakingly, Kelvin Sampson told a reporter four days ago that Sasha McHale's situation looked to be improving. Twitter @teamziller

Houston Rockets, Kevin McHale, Kelvin Sampson 

Leandrinho Barbosa: My deepest condolences to Kevin McHale and his family for the loss of their daughter. May God give you comfort and strength. Twitter @TheBlur_Barbosa

Boston Celtics, Houston Rockets, Kevin McHale, Leandrinho Barbosa 

Allan Houston: Praying for the family of Kevin McHale. May God give you strength, comfort & peace. Twitter @ALLAN_HOUSTON

Houston Rockets, Kevin McHale, Allan Houston 

Chandler Parsons: R.I.P Sasha. Twitter @ChandlerParsons

Houston Rockets, Kevin McHale, Chandler Parsons 

Ben Rohrbach: Awful news about McHale's daughter. @Chris Wilcox, whose sister also suffers from lupus, raises money for a cure here: chriswilcox.com/index.php?opti… Twitter @brohrbach

Boston Celtics, Houston Rockets, Kevin McHale, Chris Wilcox 

Sampson is serving as head coach through Kevin McHale’s leave of absence because of a family medical emergency. Though Sampson speaks with McHale several times a day, there is no timetable for his return. While the attention tonight will no doubt be on the other bench, where Mike D’Antoni is scheduled to make his debut as Lakers coach, the Rockets continue with more unusual circumstances, comparing filling in for McHale to a team playing without its star. Houston Chronicle

Houston Rockets, Coaching, Kevin McHale, Kelvin Sampson 

“He’s done a great job stepping up and being the head coach,” Rockets assistant J.B. Bickerstaff said. “One of the things he’s done is being very inclusive. … We’re heavily involved in the process. He’s been great in assuming the responsibilities, but also with the assistants. “For everybody, you’re trying to fill in a small piece of what we had with Mac. I think it falls on all the assistants to do that. Whatever is your focus, you have to up it. There are more decisions you have to make now, more you have to contribute because Mac is gone. I think everybody has to step up.” Houston Chronicle

Houston Rockets, Coaching, Kevin McHale, Kelvin Sampson 

The team announced earlier Saturday that McHale was taking an immediate leave of absence to deal with a family matter. Assistant coach Kelvin Sampson took over and said before the game he hoped the team would come together to win for McHale. USA Today

Houston Rockets, Coaching, Kevin McHale, Kelvin Sampson 

Jeremy Lin said it was a bit strange to play without McHale in charge of the team. "It was definitely different," Lin said. "He's our leader. He's our voice. But coach Sampson did a good job coming in, and we played hard. Obviously we can't wait for coach McHale to come back. Everybody around here loves him to death." USA Today

Houston Rockets, Coaching, Kevin McHale, Jeremy Lin, Kelvin Sampson 

Ken Berger: Rockets coach Kevin McHale's leave of absence is to be with his ill daughter, league sources say. Obviously, thoughts are with the family. Twitter @KBergCBS

Houston Rockets, Coaching, Kevin McHale 

Houston Rockets Head Coach Kevin McHale will be taking an immediate leave of absence from the team to attend to a personal family matter. Assistant Coach Kelvin Sampson will handle head coaching duties during McHale’s time away. No return date has been set for McHale at this time. NBA.com

Houston Rockets, Coaching, Kevin McHale, Kelvin Sampson 

Mike D’Antoni will take the coming NBA season off, but we can see him returning the following season and landing in Houston to reunite with Jeremy Lin. In fact, it makes all the sense in the world. Now that the Rockets are committed to going with Lin as their top playmaker, they should have D’Antoni’s phone number handy. Nothing against their current coach, Kevin McHale, but if the Rockets really believe that the former Knick sensation can be a crucial part of their renaissance, then there's no better system to put him in than the one used exclusively by D’Antoni, as the sporting world saw much to its amazement last season. New York Daily News

Houston Rockets, Coaching, Kevin McHale, Mike D'Antoni, Jeremy Lin 

Machado made the Rockets opening night roster when the Rockets waived veteran guard Shaun Livingston on Monday. Rockets coach Kevin McHale had given Livingston extensive praise and playing time last week, but the Rockets opted to go with Machado and Toney Douglas as backup point guards. With the release of Livingston along with the players the Rockets had determined to let go on Sunday — Lazar Hayward, Gary Forbes, Jon Brockman and JaJuan Johnson – the Rockets moved $7.5 million under the luxury tax. All five had guaranteed deals, though just $1 million of the $3.5 million remaining on Livingston’s contract was guaranteed. After the roster moves, the Rockets will be an average of just 23.6-years-old on opening night, with just 1.93 seasons of NBA experience. Houston Chronicle

Houston Rockets, Toney Douglas, Kevin McHale, Jon Brockman, Shaun Livingston, Gary Forbes, JaJuan Johnson, Lazar Hayward 

McHale thought so highly of his new shooting guard, little else seemed to be an issue worth his concern. This was not a new revelation. “I’m a big fan of his,” McHale said. “I loved him coming out of Arizona State. I like the way he plays. He has a pace to his game I like. I think he plays at a speed where he can repeat things over and over again. He’s not playing at a warp speed. He plays under control. “When I was working at TNT, we used to always laugh. Chris Webber and I said he plays an old-man game. He really takes his time and goes when he wants to go. He’s a sophisticated player.” Houston Chronicle

Houston Rockets, Oklahoma City Thunder, Trade, Kevin McHale, James Harden