When Mr. Jeff Bzdelik announced his retirement from coaching basketball last September, not a few quarters felt compelled to speculate on the reasons behind the development. It was sudden, to be sure; even as he indicated that he had given considerable thought to leaving the game for good, the timing was suspect at best. Heading into training camp, he left the impression that he was ready to buckle down to work as the Rockets’ defensive guru.
Bzdelik was clear about his reason to retire, noting in his official statement that he wanted to spend more time with family and friends. All the same, skeptics couldn’t help but associate his decision with the arrival of veteran Carmelo Anthony. After all, he shared a complicated past with the 10-time All-Star back when they plied their trade with the Nuggets 15 years ago. He did well in their first year together, presiding over a 26-match turnaround and boosting hopes of better things to come. Instead, they had a falling out that resulted in his departure 28 contests into the next season.
Considering that Bzdelik has agreed to return to the Rockets bench, the theories connecting his departure with Anthony’s entry appear to be without basis. In any case, he will be tasked with resurrecting a defensive strategy that looks to have gone to the dogs in his absence. Whereas they were among the league elite in coverage throughout their 2017-18 campaign, they’ve gone the other way this season to date. In other words, they need him — and to the point where owner Tilman Fertitta saw fit to coax him back.
No doubt, Bzdelik will be a boon to the cause. Because he’s around, the potential for improvement cannot be denied. Given the roster changes, however, the jury’s on how much he can truly help. For example, there can be no glossing over Anthony’s deficiencies on defense; so glaring are they that the Rockets turn into sieves when the former scoring champion is on the court, a fact made all the more evident by advanced metrics. Meanwhile, noted leeches Trevor Ariza and Luc Mbah a Moute have changed addresses, further compounding matters.
If nothing else, Bzdelik will give the Rockets a chance. And, all things considered, it’s all they can ask for as they try to replicate the success that had them two quarters away from making the Finals last May.
Anthony L. Cuaycong has been writing Courtside since BusinessWorld introduced a Sports section in 1994.
