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Pressed for a further explanation, he answered, “I don’t know. I would not consider myself part of Larry’s inner circle, like he’s not in my inner circle. Same thing with Kevin. He’s not in my inner circle; I’m not in his inner circle. Same thing with Danny. You know we respect each other. We had the camaraderie, obviously, collectively, on the team because of our success on the court. But off the court, you know, we weren’t hanging out going to dinner, drinks, going to the movies, double dating, whatever you wanted to do. We weren’t doing any of that.” Boston Globe

Boston Celtics, Houston Rockets, Danny Ainge, Coaching, Kevin McHale, Robert Parish 

The boldest move was Garnett, who came in a trade from the Minnesota Timberwolves (with Ainge practically swindling his former teammate Kevin McHale, Minnesota’s GM) with two years remaining on a six-year, $126 million deal. After two subsequent extensions Boston will wind up paying the big man $140 million for eight seasons, until he’s 39. It’s risky. The club’s full executive committee reviewed the deal, seeing it as a make-or-break moment. “If it works, it’s a championship. If it doesn’t, it’s a financial burden,” Grousbeck says. “Every single guy said, ‘I’m in, and if anyone wants to be out I’ll do their piece’.'” Given Garnett’s central role in returning the Celtics to NBA glory and four years of consistent sellouts, it is working so far. “Winning after taking a risk makes it all the more fun,” he says. Forbes.com

Boston Celtics, Minnesota Timberwolves, Trade, Kevin McHale, Wyc Grousbeck 

Their relationship may have been icy when Kevin Garnett asked for a contract extension six years ago and Kevin McHale traded him to the Celtics. Much time has passed, and both now reflect on their years together in Minnesota. McHale, the former Celtics great who’s now coach of the Rockets, shared an emotional hug with Garnett following the Rockets’ win over the Celtics Dec. 14 in Houston, a few weeks after the death of McHale’s daughter, Alexandra, from complications from lupus. “We spent a lot of time in the gym together when I was not as gray and moved a little bit better,” McHale said before the Celtics’ 103-91 win over the Rockets Friday night at TD Garden. “Great kid. Great work ethic. Turned himself into a fantastic player for years and years and years. With his energy level, what he’s still able to accomplish in the NBA, not so much his age, but look at the amount of minutes he’s played. It’s just phenomenal. I’m happy for him.” Boston Globe

Boston Celtics, Houston Rockets, Kevin McHale, Kevin Garnett 

Garnett, who still harbors disappointment in the Timberwolves organization and how his tenure ended, expressed gratitude for his time with McHale. “Kevin hasn’t been my coach for a long time but he’s taught me a lot,” Garnett said. “So I see the similarities and I see some things that I remember or is refreshing to my mind sometimes when I am watching his teams play. The disadvantage is he’s taught me everything that I know. Other than the competition, it’s always good to see people you’ve worked with still in the game. “I think Kevin’s been one of the best teachers I’ve ever been around. And he has a lot to give to the game and he loves basketball that much and it’s good to see he’s still around.” Boston Globe

Boston Celtics, Houston Rockets, Kevin McHale, Kevin Garnett 

Royce White: It has become something bigger, I think. It was never my intention for it to become a big political thing or a social type of issue. I really didn’t intend for that to happen. I think it happened because the mental illness community by default is one that is (a) very quiet, and I am very unique to that group in that I’m not quiet. And (b), it’s just something that we’ve been avoiding for years and years. I mean we have players that are actually in the NBA right now with mental health issues probably even on my team. And there’s no protocol in place. So that just tells you there’s an issue out there that’s being talked about but it’s never being acted on. Now, talking about Iowa State, I think is very tough in terms of support, right? Because, you can’t even compare the two, and the reason why is because in college, the coach is the head honcho. OK, what Fred Hoiberg says at Iowa State goes. And what Kevin McHale says here in Houston is, it’s kind of neither here nor there, you know, when you’re talking about front office issues. Coach Hoiberg doesn’t really have a boss. The AD, yeah. But the AD really gives all the power back to him. I think at the end of the day, you’re never going to see the same kind of support on a professional team that you would at a college team just because there’s not the money factor involved for the players, and that adds a different dynamic, and (b) is just because the structure is set up different. Slate Magazine

Houston Rockets, Kevin McHale, Fred Hoiberg, Royce White 

Former Timberwolves executive and Houston coach Kevin McHale returned to Target Center on Wednesday for the first time since his daughter Sasha died at age 23 last month from lupus-related complications. "It's just really sad," Love said. "I'll give him a big hug, tell him sorry for the loss and go out and try to kick his team's butt." Minneapolis Star-Tribune

Houston Rockets, Minnesota Timberwolves, Kevin McHale, Kevin Love 

Kevin Garnett, his eyes fixed low, walked over to Kevin McHale after the final buzzer and gave him a long hug. Several other Celtics followed, embracing the Houston Rockets coach and expressing their condolences on the death of his daughter before McHale wiped away a tear and headed for the locker room. It was a touching end to Houston's 101-89 victory Friday night, when McHale's current team beat his old one. "I got to go over and give him a hug and talk for a little bit," said Boston swingman Courtney Lee, who played for McHale with the Rockets last season. "I saw the tears rolling down his face and it was definitely an emotional time." Minneapolis Star-Tribune

Boston Celtics, Houston Rockets, Kevin McHale, Kevin Garnett, Courtney Lee 

A Hall of Fame forward for the Celtics during his playing days, McHale selected Garnett out of high school with the fifth pick in the 1995 NBA draft when he was general manager of the Minnesota Timberwolves. Watching the two of them together on the sideline, it was obvious that they still share a deep connection. "I saw Kevin and had an emotional moment with him," Garnett said. Minneapolis Star-Tribune

Boston Celtics, Houston Rockets, Kevin McHale, Kevin Garnett 

“Oh you know, KG and I, we go way back,” McHale said, his voice trailing off as he spoke and then cracking as he told how Sasha got her name and of the Celtics massage therapist Vladimir Shulman who helped name her. “He’s a good guy. There will always be a special place in my heart for Kevin. We spent a ton of time together when he was a young guy. It was very nice. “It was a long day for me today. Sasha’s name is actually Alexandra. The guy who told me, he is from Russia. He works for the Celtics. He said, ‘If you love her, it’s got to be Sasha.’ He came up today and I talked to him, so it was a long day today for me.” Houston Chronicle

Boston Celtics, Houston Rockets, Kevin McHale, Kevin Garnett 

McHale returned to the sidelines on Saturday night nearly one month since taking a leave of absence to be with his 23-year-old daughter in the last days of her life. Sasha McHale died of complications from Lupus on Nov. 24. “I feels good to be back,” McHale said in the hallway of the Toyota Center a short time before his Rockets played the Mavericks. “I’ve been gone a pretty long time. It’s good to rely on the players to make plays and the coaches to help me out a lot. “It’s been a while, but hopefully it’s the right time. I don’t know if there ever is a right time. Don’t know if there’s a playbook by this. I’m excited to be back. I think it’s gonna be good. It’s been, needless to say, a terrible month. But you know, it just felt like the time to come back and go to work and be around the guys.” NBA.com

Houston Rockets, Coaching, Kevin McHale 

“I thought Kelvin [Sampson] did a tremendous job, I really did,” McHale said. “I left after the Memphis game. We went there and got beat up pretty good by Memphis. We had a two-point game for a while, but they exposed some stuff and I had talked to Kelvin and the coaching staff about trying to do some other things. I thought they did a great job implementing that. NBA.com

Houston Rockets, Coaching, Kevin McHale, Kelvin Sampson 

Kevin McHale: It feels good to be back. I’ve been gone for a pretty long time and I’m going to rely on the players to make plays and the coaches to help me out. It’s been awhile but hopefully it’s the right time. I don’t know if there is a right time. I don’t think there is a playbook for this but I’m excited to be back. NBA.com

Houston Rockets, Coaching, Kevin McHale 

Why is this the right time to return? Kevin McHale: I have no idea. Are you kidding me? I have no idea. NBA.com

Houston Rockets, Coaching, Kevin McHale 

Mark Berman: NBA sources: Kevin McHale, who has been on leave of absence, expected 2 rejoin Rockets soon & could return to coaching as early as tonight Twitter

Houston Rockets, Coaching, Kevin McHale 

Jonathan Feigen: Kevin McHale will rejoin the Rockets tonight, source said. Don 't know if he'll coach yet. Twitter @Jonathan_Feigen

Houston Rockets, Coaching, Kevin McHale 

Steve Bulpett: The Professional Basketball Writers Association is making a donation to the Lupus Foundation in memory of Sasha McHale. Twitter @SteveBHoop

Houston Rockets, Kevin McHale, Sasha McHale 

Darnell Mayberry: Kevin Martin said he reached out to Rockets coach Kevin McHale in recent days to offer his condolences on the loss of McHale's daughter. Twitter @DarnellMayberry

Houston Rockets, Oklahoma City Thunder, Coaching, Kevin McHale, Kevin Martin 

Darnell Mayberry: Martin: "It’s a tough loss. Nobody wants to go through that so our thoughts and prayers are definitely with him." Twitter @DarnellMayberry

Houston Rockets, Oklahoma City Thunder, Coaching, Kevin McHale, Kevin Martin 

Jonathan Feigen: Rockets players, coaches and staff will fly to Minnesota after Tuesday game to attend the funeral for Sasha McHale Wednesday morning. Twitter @Jonathan_Feigen

Houston Rockets, Kevin McHale 

The Rockets made plans to wear a green band on the shoulder of their uniforms to memorialize Sasha McHale, the daughter of Rockets coach Kevin McHale who passed on Saturday. Green was Sasha McHale’s favorite color. There will be a moment of silence before the team is introduced before Tuesday’s game against Toronto at Toyota Center. A memorial service will be held Wednesday morning in the Minneapolis area. “I talked at length with Kevin today, kind of a father-to-father talk,” Rockets acting head coach Kelvin Sampson said. “He’s doing funeral arrangements for his daughter. Tough time. Tough time for he and Lynn and the family. But you know Kevin is a stud. “He’s very emotional. That’s his baby girl. Nothing else needs to be said.” Houston Chronicle

Houston Rockets, Coaching, Kevin McHale, Kelvin Sampson