Report: Houston, Adelman in talks

0 Comments | Deseret News (Salt Lake City), May 16, 2007 | by Associated Press

Former NBA coach Rick Adelman has talked to the Houston Rockets about the coaching job currently held by Jeff Van Gundy, according to media reports Tuesday night.

KRIV-TV, citing anonymous league sources, reported Adelman flew to Southampton, N.Y., for a meeting at the home of Rockets owner Leslie Alexander.

The Houston Chronicle, citing a person with knowledge of the team's decision-making, reported that general manager Daryl Morey also was part of the meeting.

Rockets spokesman Nelson Luis declined comment on the reports when contacted by The Associated Press on Tuesday night.

Van Gundy has one year left on his contract, but it's not guaranteed. There's a timeframe for him to decide whether to return, and the Rockets can terminate him without owing him any more money after June 30.

Van Gundy has been in Houston four years without winning a playoff series, something the club hasn't done since 1997. The Rockets went 52-30 this season despite long absences by stars Yao Ming and Tracy McGrady, then lost to Utah in the first round.

Morey has told the Chronicle that Van Gundy "is open to coaching again in certain scenarios," adding that each side has goals "for things to be different."

Adelman has coached Portland, Golden State and Sacramento. He was out of coaching this year after being fired by the Kings following last season. He took the Trail Blazers to the NBA finals twice.

WADE UNDERGOES SURGERY: Heat guard Dwyane Wade had surgery Tuesday on his left shoulder and left knee, and the MVP of last season's NBA finals might need the remainder of the offseason to fully recover.

Wade averaged 27.4 points this past season for the Heat, missing 31 games with a variety of injuries -- primarily a dislocated left shoulder suffered in February.

But it was the knee, not the shoulder, that pained Wade most once he returned to the Heat lineup with six games remaining in the regular season. Commonly called "jumper's knee," his condition caused him to wince while trying to dunk, and Wade often said that he didn't have enough explosiveness to be his usual self on the floor.

Recovery times from such a surgery vary; Heat guard Jason Williams had a similar procedure done last July and continued experiencing pain for much of the first half of this past regular season.

Miami coach Pat Riley said last week that if Wade had surgery on both the knee and shoulder, it "might take six months" for the guard to recover.

LAKERS' ODOM RECOVERING: Lakers forward Lamar Odom had shoulder surgery Tuesday and is expected to be ready for training camp in October.

He underwent arthroscopic surgery at Kerlan Jobe Surgery Center in Los Angeles for a torn labrum in his left shoulder, the team said. He will wear a sling for 10 days before starting rehabilitation.

Odom averaged 15.9 points, 9.8 rebounds and 4.8 assists in 56 games this season. He hurt his shoulder March 2 against Sacramento before returning to play the final 23 games, including the playoffs, with the injury.

WARRANT ISSUED FOR PATTERSON: Milwaukee Bucks forward Ruben Patterson was accused Tuesday of failing to register as a convicted sex offender after he moved into a new home in the suburbs.

A warrant was issued after authorities filed the complaint in Hamilton County Municipal Court. Failing to register is a misdemeanor.

Patterson, an eight-year pro, averaged 14.7 points and 5.4 rebounds for the Bucks this season. He played at the University of Cincinnati and moved into a home in suburban Indian Hill last year, the court complaint said.

In 2001, when Patterson played for the Portland Trail Blazers, he pleaded guilty in Washington state to an attempted rape charge and was required to register as a sex offender. He was suspended by the NBA for five games.