There were better matches, at least in terms of style and strengths. There were far greater coaching résumés and more tested coaches. But Kevin McHale became the Rockets’ choice to succeed Rick Adelman because of a quality the Rockets could not resist.

“I’d put Kevin’s intelligence level about basketball up there with anybody’s,” said Danny Ainge, Celtics executive vice president and a friend since he and McHale helped defeat the Rockets in the NBA Finals 25 years ago. “I think that Kevin, though he lacks front-line coaching experience, has watched as many games and as much tape as anyone, and has learned about basketball from some of the great minds.”

The Rockets and McHale, 53, quickly agreed Friday to a four-year contract, the final season at the team’s option.

McHale has only coached in parts of two seasons, working as Minnesota Timberwolves vice president from 1995 to 2008 and expressing a reluctance to become a career coach. McHale, who went 39-55 with the Timberwolves, has never been an assistant coach. But in his first stint as coach, when he went 19-12 and earned good reviews from his players, he reversed that position, preferring a coaching career.

A key to the choice of McHale will be the selection of a strong lead assistant to run the defense and handle many of the finer points of preparation and practice, with McHale more big-picture and player development-oriented.

Minnesota assistant Kelvin Sampson, Memphis’ Dave Joerger and New Orleans’ Michael Malone, who were early candidates in the Rockets’ search, are among the Rockets’ top choices for the position, according to a person familiar with the process.

Sampson and Malone could be head coaching candidates and if Malone moves, it might be to join Mike Brown with the Los Angeles Lakers.

David Zalubowski/AP

Though Joerger is not officially a lead assistant, the Grizzlies likely will work to keep him in Memphis.

Chris Finch, the coach of the Rockets’ NBA Development League team, will be promoted from the Rio Grande Valley Vipers, in part because he spent the past two seasons running the offense that worked well for the Rockets under Adelman.

Bird, Fitch weigh in

Rockets owner Leslie Alexander and general manager Daryl Morey chose McHale over finalists Dwane Casey and Lawrence Frank after several conversations with McHale on Thursday, most about the structure of the coaching staff.

Morey had twice interviewed McHale before McHale on Wednesday became the third candidate to meet with Alexander.

“I would like to say thanks to Leslie Alexander who is a passionate owner and who wants to get Houston back into the playoffs, Daryl and the Houston organization,” Casey said. “They ran an extensive search, did their homework and made their decision. I wish them the best.”

Twice the NBA Sixth Man of the Year winner, McHale averaged 17.9 points and 7.3 rebounds during a 13-year playing career and became part of one of the greatest frontcourts in NBA history along with Larry Bird and Robert Parish.

“I’m very happy for Kevin,” Bird said in a statement. “He knows the game, knows it from a player’s perspective and I think he’ll do a great job.”

McHale was a seven-time All-Star, a key part of three championship teams and was named to the NBA’s all-time top 50 list in 1996. He was inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in 1999.

“When you look at it, he has all the qualities you need,” said former Rockets coach Bill Fitch, who coached McHale with the Celtics. “He has a great sense of humor and creates one with all those around him. He knows the value of a staff and putting a staff together that covers all your weaknesses. He knows the game and will do the coaching, but he’ll pick people good at filling in around him.”

No communication gaps

McHale has grown to appreciate the analytics the Rockets value, but he is more likely to consider the input than to entirely embrace it as Frank might have. Even when in the front office, McHale was known for his relationships with players and can be demanding with a forceful manner more similar to Rudy Tomjanovich’s than Adelman’s.

“He has great communication skills,” Ainge said. “I think he will be a guy that will be able to communicate with management, ownership and players in a great way. He really focuses on what guys can do versus what they cannot do.”

McHale, who has never coached a full season, run a training camp or coached a playoff game, succeeds a coach who is eighth all-time in career wins. But he has won respect.

“I view him on the level of my favorite great coach — Adelman,” Rockets guard Kevin Martin said. “We just found a big piece to our puzzle. Now I can go back to my summer workouts and rest peacefully at night knowing we have a great coach that will elevate everyone’s game and help us build a championship-caliber team.”

jonathan.feigen@chron.com