Sources: Rockets to interview James Borrego on Monday
The Houston Rockets, after focusing their coaching search on Mike D'Antoni for much of the past week, have opted to broaden the search.
The Rockets, according to league sources, have scheduled a Monday interview with San Antonio Spurs assistant coach James Borrego, who is a finalist for the Memphis Grizzlies' coaching vacancy.
ESPN reported earlier this week that Borrego and Miami Heat assistant David Fizdale had emerged as strong contenders for the Grizzlies' post following the decision by Frank Vogel, Memphis' top target, to take the Orlando Magic job.
ESPN reported Friday that the Rockets had elevated Charlotte Hornets assistant Stephen Silas to co-finalist with D'Antoni, who emerged earlier this week as the leading candidate for the post.
Borrego will become the 12th known candidate to interview for the Rockets' opening, joining D'Antoni, Silas, Jeff Hornacek (who took the New York Knicks job), former Cleveland Cavaliers coach David Blatt, Toronto Raptors assistant Rex Kalamian, Grizzlies assistant Jeff Bzdelik, Spurs assistant Ettore Messina, TNT analyst Kenny Smith, Los Angeles Clippers assistant Sam Cassell, current Rockets assistant Chris Finch and Magic assistant Adrian Griffin.
The Rockets fired Kevin McHale just 11 games into the season -- Year 1 of a new three-year contract -- and parted ways with interim successor J.B. Bickerstaff following Houston's first-round playoff loss to Golden State. Bickerstaff posted a 37-34 record before the Rockets' five-game exit to the Warriors.
ESPN reported Friday that the Rockets were weighing the merits of a D'Antoni staff headlined by Bzdelik as defensive coordinator against the prospect of hiring Silas as a first-time NBA head coach with former Grizzlies and Brooklyn Nets coach Lionel Hollins serving as his top assistant. It's believed that Houston's preference is ultimately making a hire with prior head-coaching experience.
Borrego posted a 10-20 record as interim coach of the Magic to close the 2014-15 regular season, then returned to San Antonio as an assistant coach this season. Some in NBA coaching circles believe he has an inside track on the Grizzlies' job in the wake of Vogel's move to Orlando.
KRIV-TV reported Saturday that Griffin, who lost out on Orlando's coaching job to Vogel, will also interview for the Rockets' post next week.
ESPN reported Thursday that Rockets owner Leslie Alexander and general manager Daryl Morey traveled to Cleveland to hold separate interviews with Kalamian, Silas and Bzdelik. Alexander vowed to ESPN during Houston's first-round series that he would take a more active role in this coaching search than he has in the past.
ESPN also reported earlier this week that Jeff Van Gundy received strong support from Morey to make a return to Houston for a second stint as Rockets coach, but sources say Alexander could not be sold on a reunion with the ESPN analyst, who has been working in television since the sides parted ways in May 2007.
