Houston Rockets’ Former Coach Mike D’Antoni Has Left a Shocking Message to Rockets Owner, Tilman Fertitta, Frustrating His Ownership and Causing a Significant Stir Within the..
In a stunning development that has sent ripples through the Houston Rockets franchise, former head coach Mike D’Antoni has reportedly delivered a blunt and critical message to team owner Tilman Fertitta, raising fresh concerns about the team’s direction under current ownership.
Sources close to the situation describe D’Antoni’s message as both candid and caustic, expressing deep frustration with the trajectory of the organization since his departure in 2020. The former coach, who led the Rockets to consistent playoff appearances and a Western Conference Finals berth during his tenure, is said to have taken issue with what he perceives as “short-sighted leadership, erratic decision-making, and a lack of championship commitment” from Fertitta’s front office.
Though the specific content of D’Antoni’s message has not been made public, those familiar with the exchange say the tone was unusually direct. One insider described it as “a letter that reads like a call to accountability — a scathing critique rooted in love for the game and disappointment in how things have played out.”
Fertitta, known for his outspoken nature and aggressive business acumen, is reportedly “visibly irritated” by D’Antoni’s remarks, and the message is said to have sparked internal tension among Rockets executives. While there has been no official comment from Fertitta or the team’s PR office, murmurs inside Toyota Center suggest the incident has created significant discomfort, especially among staff loyal to both Fertitta and general manager Rafael Stone.
D’Antoni’s departure in 2020, following a failed extension and mounting friction with upper management, marked a turning point in the franchise’s fortunes. Since then, the Rockets have struggled to rebuild, cycling through roster changes, coaching staff, and draft strategies, with little postseason success to show.
In Houston basketball circles, D’Antoni remains a respected figure — known not just for his innovative offensive systems and his stewardship of the James Harden era, but also for his calm demeanor and collaborative coaching style. His decision to speak out now is being interpreted by some as a last-ditch effort to jolt the franchise out of what he may see as complacency or mismanagement.
“It’s not like Mike to go public like this,” said a former assistant coach who worked alongside him. “But when someone like him speaks up, you listen. It means something’s wrong — really wrong.”
With the Rockets currently in the midst of another rebuilding phase, questions are mounting about the team’s ability to return to contention under Fertitta’s stewardship. D’Antoni’s critique may have struck a nerve not only because of its content, but because it reflects a growing unease among former players, coaches, and fans who have seen the franchise drift from its once-lofty ambitions.
As the offseason begins and the Rockets look ahead to the NBA Draft and free agency, the shadow of D’Antoni’s message looms large — a reminder that even from afar, voices of the past can still shake the foundations of the present.