We know it's a different role -- coaching, which Kevin McHale appeared to do at least adequately when his hand was forced in two separate cases with the Timberwolves. But for anyone who witnessed the McHale as basketball boss era here with the Timberwolves, the story from his introductory press conference as Houston Rockets coach will be eye-opening still:

After his playing career ended, McHale worked 16 seasons as an executive with the Timberwolves, including two stints as interim head coach. His career coaching record is 39-55, but Rockets general manager Daryl Morey said coaches shouldn't always be judged by their win-loss total.

"We're all evaluated on wins and losses, that's how it should be," Morey said. "But when you look at a coaching record, you've got to look deeper. You've got to look at when Kevin took over for those franchises, they did better with him than the person he took over from.

"Every good coach in this league, I challenge you to find one that hasn't been a sub-.500 coach at one point or another."

Rockets owner Leslie Alexander said he found the "perfect fit" in McHale, who was inducted into the Hall of Fame as a player in 1999.

"Kevin McHale is the perfect fit for this team at this time," Alexander said. "You have to have somebody who's a great leader, a great communicator and understands how to use his staff and the players at all times, and will take input and work with people to make us a great team."