Who’s to say what Silas knew about the discord inside the organization he was about to join? Mike D’Antoni chose to leave, and Morey was out too — that much was obvious. Rockets owner Tilman Fertitta preferred Jeff Van Gundy for coach, sources say, while Harden and Westbrook wanted Tyronn Lue. Silas was to be the brokered compromise, but both star players chose to try to push their way out after he was hired anyway.
Tyronn Lue Rumors
The LA Clippers announced today that Associate Head Coach Dan Craig and Assistant Coaches Kenny Atkinson, Chauncey Billups, Larry Drew and Roy Rogers have joined Head Coach Tyronn Lue to complete the team’s coaching staff for the 2020-21 NBA season. Cam Hodges, Shaun Fein, Dahntay Jones and Beau Levesque will also be joining the organization in coaching and player development roles. The Clippers have retained Assistant Coaches Jeremy Castleberry and Brendan O’Connor.
“We have assembled a strong and experienced group of coaches with diverse backgrounds and perspectives,” said Lue. “They will provide our players with every opportunity to improve individually and excel as a team. As coaches, their skillsets are different, but they are all great teachers with a passion for player development, who understand how to impart their knowledge. I couldn’t be more excited to get on the court with this group.”
Andrew Greif: Another member of Ty Lue’s staff, per source: Natalie Nakase. Nakase has been with the Clippers since 2012, when the former UCLA player was an intern. Most recently she has been one of team’s player development assistants.
Andrew Greif: The Clippers have finalized Ty Lue’s coaching staff, sources tell @ba_turner and me. In addition to Craig, Atkinson, Billups and Drew, the Clippers have hired assistant Roy Rogers and retained assistants Brendan O’Connor and Jeremy Castleberry, sources told @latimessports.
Andrew Greif: Confirming @Adrian Wojnarowski’s info from earlier that the Clippers and Chauncey Billups are nearing a deal to make him an assistant coach. Billups spent the last year around the team in a TV role. He and Ty Lue have been close friends for years.
