Conspiracy theory time: Kevin McHale didn’t get fired because he was winning too few games, he got fired because he was turning too many losses into wins through his above-average coaching.
Morey realized that this year is not the Rockets’ year. He knows what it takes to succeed in the NBA, and he decided, correctly, that tanking was the best option for his team this season. McHale balked, purposely playing talented lineups in a stubborn attempt to continue their success from last season. Luckily for the whole Rockets’ organization, his sabotage only cost them a few losses.
If you think that James Harden isn’t constantly drugged by the training staff, then I’ve got a bridge to sell you. Dwight Howard injured? Yeah right. Anyone with a critical eye can see that the Rockets are deliberately losing games. Why the hell else would they play Marcus Thornton any minutes at all?