For Rockets coach Mike D'Antoni, the Astros success has been especially pleasing because of Astros manager A.J. Hinch.
He is far from the only recent Astros fan among the Rockets, who had Saturday's Game 7 on in the locker room immediately after their game and who have attended several games. But D'Antoni, a former Phoenix Suns coach, has known Hinch since Hinch was the Diamondbacks director of player development from 2006 to 2009 and has followed Hinch's career since even before he followed Hinch to Houston.
"It's fun," D'Antoni said. "Our guys love it. They're excited about the World Series.