Mahmoud Abdelfattah, who led Houston’s G League affiliate (Rio Grande Valley Vipers) to the 2021-22 title, is reportedly a strong early candidate to join the Rockets as an assistant to head coach Stephen Silas.
Silas currently has two open jobs on his staff after the recent departures of veteran assistant coaches Jeff Hornacek and Will Weaver.
“Mahmoud Abdelfattah, who recently won the G League Finals with the Rio Grande Vipers, is considered a strong early candidate for to join Stephen Silas’ staff in Houston,” The Athletic’s Kelly Iko wrote after spending a week following the Rockets at the draft combine in Chicago.
Sources told The Athletic that he is considered a strong candidate for one of the open assistant jobs. Abdelfattah is coming off a G League Finals win (as head coach) and has great relationships with Silas and the organization.
Thursday’s scene at Wintrust Arena featured Chuck Hayes, Silas, Abdelfattah and Ed Pinckney watching scrimmages, with general manager Rafael Stone and assistant GM Eli Witus making the rounds. Abdelfattah has been with the franchise dating back to the days of Mike D’Antoni and is highly respected by members of the Rockets and Vipers.
Mahmoud Abdelfattah, who recently won the G League Finals with the Rio Grande Vipers, is considered a strong early candidate for to join Stephen Silas’ staff in Houston, sources tell @TheAthletic. https://t.co/oiFa5yTUNj
— Kelly Iko (@KellyIkoNBA) May 20, 2022
As for the other open spot on the coaching staff, Iko reports that former assistant coach Jeff Bzdelik — who worked for D’Antoni as effectively a defensive coordinator with the Rockets — was initially seen by some as a candidate. “But it’s understood he is no rush to return to the sidelines,” reports Iko, who notes that Bzdelik has not coached in the NBA since stepping down from New Orleans in 2020.
Regardless, the inclusion of Bzdelik on a potential coaching wish list shows that Houston is likely to prioritize defense with that particular staff hire. It makes sense, considering that the Rockets ranked dead last in net defensive rating among the 30 NBA teams last season.
There does not appear to be an immediate hiring timetable for either of the two vacant positions. Since the Rockets have an established head coach in place (Silas) and a well-respected lead assistant in John Lucas, Houston can be patient as it fills out the remainder of its staff prior to the opening of 2022-23 training camp in late September.
