Adelman won't return as Rockets coach We have a split decision

Rockets, Adelman part ways after series of issues; assistants in running for job

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After four days of talks, some that were close to bringing Rick Adelman back to the Rockets’ bench, general manager Daryl Morey called him a “Hall of Fame coach.” He also showed Adelman the door. Adelman was happy to take it.

Adelman, who led the Rockets to their only playoff series victory in the last 14 years and a franchise-record 22-game winning streak, agreed to step down Monday, a decision described as mutual.

“After numerous discussions and careful consideration with coach Adelman, we have mutually agreed to part ways,” Morey said in a statement. “It has been a privilege and an honor to work with and learn from Rick during these past four years. He is a Hall of Fame coach who earned the respect and admiration of our entire organization during his time here.”

In four seasons with the Rockets, Adelman had a 193-135 record, the best winning percentage (.588) of any coach in franchise history. He moved to eighth in NBA history in career coaching wins with 945.

After consecutive seasons in which the Rockets failed to reach the playoffs, Adelman and Morey were unable to reach agreements on several issues. Adelman had repeatedly indicated he would seek more of a voice in personnel decisions. The team is expected to seek a greater emphasis on player development and likely will want a coach who will more readily embrace the organization’s analytics-oriented approach.

The Rockets’ two coaching hires under owner Leslie Alexander since the departure of Rudy Tomjanovich — Adelman and Jeff Van Gundy — were coaches who had taken teams to the NBA Finals. But the present search will immediately include assistant coaches. Rockets assistants Elston Turner and Jack Sikma and former Rockets player Mario Elie, who has been an assistant with the Kings, Warriors and Spurs, will interview for the position, according to a person with knowledge of the process.

Mike Brown, a former Coach of the Year who took Cleveland to the Finals, is also considered a top candidate.

Rockets head coach Rick Adelman led the team to a 17-8 record after the All Star break to get back into the chase for a playoff spot before fading late. Rockets head coach Rick Adelman led the team to a 17-8 record after the All Star break to get back into the chase for a playoff spot before fading late. Photo: Karen Warren, Chronicle Photo: Karen Warren, Chronicle Image 1 of / 1 Caption Close Adelman won't return as Rockets coach 1 / 1 Back to Gallery

Wants to keep coaching

Adelman, 64 and a veteran of 19-plus seasons as an NBA coach, had expressed ambivalence about remaining in coaching but said last week that he has not lost his desire to coach. He had been openly frustrated with decision-making that led to three trades — over his objections — that seemed designed to aid future seasons.

“I have enjoyed my time in Houston over these past four seasons,” Adelman said in a statement released by the Rockets. “We accomplished quite a bit, despite overcoming numerous obstacles during the past few years. I especially enjoyed coaching this group of players the past two seasons. Despite difficult circumstances, they never gave in, and they never quit. It was a joy coming in every day and working with such a group of dedicated players and coaches. I wish them all the best.”

Last week, however, Adelman expressed frustration with his working relationship with the Rockets’ front office.

“You cannot succeed in this league unless everybody is on the same page,” he said. “You may not agree with everything together. But you have to be on the same page, and you have to have each other’s back, or the players — they sense it. They know it when there is a disconnect. Frankly, I would say in the last month and a half, since the trade (deadline deals of Shane Battier and Aaron Brooks), people have gone their way, and we’re here to fight the battle.

“When it’s all good, it’s pretty easy. When it’s not all good, it’s even more important that you have communication and an interchange that is pretty consistent day in, day out.”

The Rockets beat the Trail Blazers in the 2008-09 playoffs and then pushed the Lakers to seven games in the Western Conference semifinals. But Yao Ming was injured in Game 3 of that series and played just five games in the two seasons since. Rather than coach a team led by Yao and Tracy McGrady, who played just 72 games together in Adelman’s tenure, Adelman oversaw the transition of the franchise from the Yao and McGrady era to a team built around Adelman’s motion-based offense.

Fast finish not enough

This season, the Rockets went 17-8 after the All-Star break to get back into the chase for a playoff spot before fading late. They became the first team since the Suns in 1970-71 and 1971-72 to have consecutive seasons with winning records but no playoff appearances.

Adelman had said he was surprised not to have been offered an extension during the season. By Monday, however, his departure was expected and one decision upon which Adelman and Morey could agree.

jonathan.feigen@chron.com