Though the Rockets are only two seasons removed from taking the Lakers to a 7th game in the conference semi-finals despite the absence of Yao Ming and Tracy McGrady, ownership declared Rick Adelman surplus to requirements earlier today, a firing the Houston Chronicle’s Jerome Solomon considers a huge favor to the venerable head coach (“The Rockets won’t find a better head coach than Adelman. Adelman ought to find a better team than the Rockets”)

It is simple math: there are, oh, 12 or 13 better teams than the Rockets? And, what, a couple better coaches than Adelman?

There will be more better jobs available for Rick than better coaches available for the Rockets.

As you may know, Adelman is one if my favorite coaches. He is smart, honest and understands how to get the best from his players. I don’t think it was possible for anyone to get more out of the Rockets’ cast of characters the last two seasons. That doesn’t mean the years weren’t disappointing, only that the disappointment wasn’t the coach’s fault.

The Rockets are what they are because of the players they have. You don’t like those players, don’t blame Adelman.

Saddened by the circumstances, Dream Shake’s Tom Martin advocates the candidacy of Spurs assistant Mike Budenholzer.

Stan Van Gundy would be an interesting hire, but one that I would support. I’m not sold on bringing back Jeff Van Gundy, because as good a defensive coach as he was, his offenses were THAT bad. Mike Brown falls into the same category, but it’s tough to gauge him apart from LeBron James, who supposedly handicapped Brown’s coaching choices. If it’s up to me, I be sure to take a hard look at assistants like Budenholzer who haven’t had as much head coaching experience. Maybe it’s just me, but I tend to think that the newly promoted assistants can add a personal flair to teams like Houston’s, one that allows them both to grow together and build a strong relationship. Not every situation will work out like the one in Chicago with Tom Thibodeau, but it’s worth a shot, especially given the report of highly coveted assistants such as Budenholzer.