The Houston Rockets' new interim head coach has deep roots in Denver.
J.B. Bickerstaff, a Rockets assistant who took over after Kevin McHale was fired Wednesday, is the son of former Nuggets president, general manager and head coach Bernie Bickerstaff.
The younger Bickerstaff, 36, was born in Denver and starred at Denver East High School, where he led the Angels to a 5A state title in 1996. He went on to play collegiately at Oregon State and Minnesota.
Before joining the Rockets in 2011, Bickerstaff served as an assistant coach for the Charlotte Bobcats from 2004-07 and Minnesota from 2007-11.