Report: Ty Lue as Rockets head coach gaining ‘significant momentum’

Tyronn Lue is gaining “significant momentum” for the Houston Rockets’ head coaching vacancy, ESPN reported on Tuesday morning. Lue has interviewed with the Houston Rockets and is still being considered a candidate to replace Doc Rivers with the Los Angeles Clippers. Lue had a meeting with the Rockets’ ownership and management groups on Monday, which has jumped him to the top of their list.

Lue had been an assistant for the Clippers before the team was eliminated in the second round of the 2020 playoffs. L.A. parted ways with Rivers and left a clear path for Lue to take over. He is one of a few available coaches that has won a championship, back in 2016 with the Cleveland Cavaliers. His last head coaching gig was in Cleveland, though he was also being considered for the Philadelphia 76ers job before Rivers took that a few weeks ago.

Never really considered an Xs and Os type of coach, Lue has had good relationship with players after being a player in the NBA himself from 1998-2009, playing for seven teams in the process. He has been around the league plenty and has soaked up knowledge from countless coaches and players. Lue knows what it’s like managing multiple All-Star personalities from his time with LeBron James and Kyrie Irving. That is clearly appealing to the Rockets, who have James Harden and Russell Westbrook.