Before becoming a successful coach in the NBA, Houston Rockets head coach Mike D’Antoni was one of Europe’s most celebrated stars. Today’s style of game in the NBA has proved to be more fun for the fans. The pace-and-space, small-ball offense that propelled the Golden State Warriors to three championships in four years, has absolutely taken over the league.

Fans of this offensive system has one important person to thank for: Houston Rockets coach Mike D’Antoni. Before the small-ball lineup became a staple in the league, he was one of the first coaches to introduce that ‘unconventional’ system in his coaching stint with the Steve Nash-led Phoenix Suns.