Report: Jeff Bzdelik Coming Out of Retirement, Rejoining Rockets Coaching Staff

By Matthew Cardenas on November 5, 2018

Follow @CardenasMaLWOS

Embed from Getty Images

After retiring back in September - just weeks before the start of the NBA season, Jeff Bzdelik has ended his brief retirement and will return to the Rockets coaching staff. Bzdelik originally retired to handle circumstances off the court. He has signed a contract for the remainder and according to Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN, he will not immediately return. Bzdelik will return by the end of November at the latest.

Rockets are in serious talks with former assistant coach Jeff Bzdelik to return to team as defensive coordinator, league sources tell ESPN. Bzdelik has resolved some family issues and sides are working toward an agreement to return to team.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) November 5, 2018

Defense has not been the calling card for the Rockets to start the season. They currently possess a 111.3 defensive rating, which is 21st in the association. A multitude of reasons factor into the sluggish start. Many new faces are on the Rockets' roster and have to adjust to the switch-everything scheme. Injuries have made it difficult to possess a true feel of this roster as well. It is too difficult to make assumptions on a team that hasn't reached full health. The Rockets were 7th in defensive rating last season. The potential is there but there is going to be an adjustment period with the plethora of new faces.

A slow start for the Rockets is reportedly not Bzdelik's reasoning for returning to the roster. Reports say owner Tilman Fertitta has been in constant contact with him since his retirement in early September. Kelly Iko of The Athletic said recently that Bzdelik said he misses the team and wished everyone well. It seems clear a possible return was always an option.

The Rockets currently sit at 3-5 on the season and are riding a two-game winning streak. The Rockets have steadily improved defensively and only gave up seven points in the third quarter to the Chicago Bulls in Saturday's win. With Bzdelik back in the mix, the Rockets are looking to get back to their old defensive ways.