Extension talks between D'Antoni and the Rockets have gone nowhere since last year, and now the team is reportedly targeting Tom Thibodeau and Jeff Van Gundy.
There is a theme here. Thibodeau was Van Gundy's top assistant (2004-2007) in his previous stint with the Rockets.
In that time, Thibodeau helped the Rockets rank among the top five in scoring defense and field goal percentage defense.
If these reports are true, the Rockets are prioritizing defense and discipline as the change they need. Thibs and Van Gundy have reputations for being tough on players -- high intensity guys -- while D'Antoni takes a much more laid back approach to interacting with players.
Van Gundy hasn't coached in the NBA since he was fired by the Rockets in 2007.
Thibodeau was last head coach and president of basketball operations for the Minneosta Timberwolves, but was fired midway through his third season.
Minnesota missed the playoffs in his first season; lost in the first round as eighth seed to Houston in his second season; and held a 19-21 record when he was let go in January 2019.
The head-scratching part with Thibodeau is the dichotomy between his old school mentality and how the Rockets have presented a new wave with their analytical philosophies.
How would that mesh?
It's unclear.
What seems close to certain is we've probably seen the last of D'Antoni, depending on whether the season resumes.
After that, expect a drastic change at head coach.