For Adelman, writing was on the wall long ago

Rick Adelman made his feelings so obvious that reading between the lines wasn't even necessary. He was transparent without being blunt.

At what point the Rockets and Adelman began the process of their divorce remains fodder for debate, but as the recently completed 2010-11 regular season came to a close, there was little reason to believe Adelman would be back for a fifth season with the organization. That the Rockets announced on Monday what had been speculated for months amounted to a technicality. It was apparent long ago that the Rockets were prepared to move forward without Adelman, and Adelman did little to hide the fact that this relationship had soured to the point where reconciliation was as unlikely as a triumphant return from Yao Ming.

"After numerous discussions and careful consideration with Coach Adelman, we have mutually agreed to part ways," Rockets general manager Daryl Morey said in a statement. "It has been a privilege and an honor to work with and learn from Rick during these past four years. He is a Hall of Fame coach who earned the respect and admiration of our entire organization during his time here. These situations are always difficult, but we would like to personally thank Rick and his staff for their efforts the past four seasons and we wish them the best in their future pursuits."

Why would the Rockets wait until after the season ended to seriously broach the subject of a contract renewal for Adelman, whose contract expires June 30 and who had proven his worth as a coach over the past two decades? On what sliding scale was Adelman, whose .588 winning percentage (193-135) was the best in franchise history, being judged — particularly after leading the Rockets to the postseason in his first two seasons on the bench and to the brink of the playoffs in each of the last two seasons despite Yao playing a total of five games during that span?

If there was disappointment, from whence did it derive? How much more could Adelman milk from a roster constructed around oft-injured Tracy McGrady and chronically debilitated Yao? After McGrady turned malinger and forced the Rockets' hand last season while Yao watched broken from the bench, Adelman engineered a legitimate playoff push. And, despite that ridiculous 24-minutes-per-game limitation on Yao binding his hands and restricting his rotations, Adelman coached the Rockets to respectability again this season. Yao went down once more, guard Aaron Brooks missed 21 games with a sprained ankle and sulked disruptively when he was healthy, and Rockets brass pulled the plug on the season by trading Shane Battier and Brooks at the deadline. Yet the Rockets clawed back into contention with a ragtag roster of feisty players Adelman didn't imagine coaching when hired on May 23, 2007.

When the Rockets acquired swingman Terrence Williams on Dec. 15 and asked Adelman to toss Williams into the mix of a roster bloated with swingmen, Adelman didn't balk. He didn't play Williams, but he didn't publicly deride a trade that did little to positively impact his bottom line. When the Rockets jettisoned Battier to Memphis, acquiring pennies on the dollar from the Grizzlies in the form of Hasheem Thabeet and DeMarre Carroll, Adelman shortened his rotation and kept the Rockets running. In totality these moves were made with an eye on the future and represented a concession in the present. That the Rockets wouldn't want Adelman, 64, overseeing their youthful roster makes perfect sense.

The same goes for Adelman. At this stage of his illustrious career, with 945 regular-season victories under his belt, Adelman should have one goal in mind: securing an elusive championship. He led the Trail Blazers to a pair of NBA Finals appearances and steered the Sacramento Kings through their glory days early last decade, but Adelman has yet to win a title. His second postseason appearance with the Rockets was marred by another Yao injury in the 2009 Western Conference semifinals against the Lakers, and ever since the Rockets have been in organizational regression. With the moves made this season, the Rockets appear close to committing to rebuilding, which in turn eliminates their need for a coach at the tail end of his career with designs on a crown and not developing a young squad.

Adelman would never disrespect the players he'd come to admire for their dedication, but his words last week in advance of the Rockets' home finale were crystal clear. His general contentment was cryptic.

"Nothing surprises me and every situation is different," Adelman said prior to a 98-91 overtime loss to the Mavericks. "You can't look into things for the speculation of it. You have to look at reality, and that's what I will do. I'll do it when the season is over and I'm sure they (Rockets owner Leslie Alexander and Morey) are doing the same thing."

Then Adelman spoke of his desire to keep coaching, of his conversations with his wife Mary Kay on their plans to move forward with or without the Rockets. It was as revealing a statement as any, ostensibly saying that he was resigned to whatever decision Alexander and Morey made. It was akin to telling your spouse that they could stay or leave and that your feelings would remain unchanged. It was a harbinger that the pending divorce was mutual. It was as good for the Rockets as Adelman.

On Monday the Rockets made the split official, ironically by opting not to sign any paperwork. Out the door they let walk a coach who guided the franchise on a 22-game winning streak, the second-longest in league history, and to its lone postseason series victory over the last 14 years. Adelman will likely land somewhere and continue his climb up the coaching victories chart — he is currently alone in eighth place — while chasing a championship. The Rockets will seek to rebuild with a coach fit to their long-term plans, one whose ascent complements their roster.

"I have enjoyed my time in Houston over these past four seasons," Adelman said in a statement. "We accomplished quite a bit, despite overcoming numerous obstacles during the past few years. I especially enjoyed coaching this group of players the past two seasons. Despite difficult circumstances, they never gave in and they never quit. It was a joy coming in every day and working with such a group of dedicated players and coaches. I wish them all the best."