Rudy T Hall of Fame Finalist

Carl Herrera · Feb 18, 2018

Hall of Fame have an agenda against the Rockets because we fired our Hall of Famer head coach, Kevin McHale.

Batman Jones · Feb 18, 2018

Patience said: ↑

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.nb...h-reflects-1998-world-championship-basketball

If the "Dream Team" had been there, Rudy Tomjanovich would have gone home with a gold medal.

If the "Dream Team" -- Grant Hill, Gary Payton, Tim Hardaway and the rest of the big-name NBA stars at the time -- had been there, the outcome would have been a foregone conclusion. The United States likely would have won by 10, 20 or 30 points per game.

If the "Dream Team" had been there, the only question might have been whether Nike or Adidas won the sneaker wars.

The 1998 World Championship of Basketball in Athens, Greece ended with Yugoslavia edging Russia for the gold medal and Tomjanovich’s American team whipping the home country for a third-place finish, which was anything but a bronze bust.

When it comes time to make selections for the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Class of 2017, "Rudy T" has a resume that is both short and sweet, a couple of attributes that work both for and against him.

The Rockets enjoyed the sweet taste of an NBA Finals series victory in 1995.
In an age when coaches are often known to stay around for generations, Tomjanovich’s career on the bench spanned just 11 full seasons and parts of two others, shortened by a bout with bladder cancer. In that time, he compiled a record of 527-416 (.559), led the Houston Rockets to back-to-back NBA championships in 1994 and '95 and coached Team USA to the gold medal at the Sydney Olympics in 2000. From 1994-95, his Rockets won a record nine consecutive playoff road games and a record six straight elimination games. The '95 Rockets are the only team in history to win four playoff series over teams with at least 57 regular season wins.

“Don’t ever underestimate the heart of a champion!” became Tomjanovich’s tagline in 1995, after the Rockets became the only No. 6 seed ever to win the NBA title.

But if there is an achievement full of heart and yet most overlooked in Rudy T’s career, a hidden, under-appreciated gem, it is that work done one summer in Athens. Tomjanovich had been named Team USA coach a year earlier and had expected to lead a roster filled with All-Stars against the world. Then the league’s labor lockout in 1998 scratched NBA players from taking part and they were replaced by a collection of ex-collegians and journeymen.

“This was the greatest basketball experience of my life,” said 33-year-old forward David Wood, who had played around the world for 13 pro teams and eight different NBA franchises. “It was an honor to play for my country and for my coach. This will always be special.”

It was special because of the circumstances that brought them together for a 4 1/2-week whirlwind tour through four counties as a disparate group of European exiles, Continental Basketball Association lifers and one college star stepped into the breach left by the "Dream Team’s" absence. The college star, point guard Mateen Cleaves, was expected to run the offense and solidify the lineup, but he suffered a severe ankle sprain on the even of the tournament and never played a minute. Wood, Jimmy Oliver, Jimmy King, Brad Miller and the rest played on.

The question of their worthiness dogged their every step.How could they fill the Dream Team’s high-tops? How could they ever live up to the great American expectations back home?

Simply by following Tomjanovich’s lead and believing.

“With the Dream Team the talent level, of course, would have been overwhelming,” Tomjanovich said. “With that team, you’re talking about detail work, getting plays right, trying to do this and that and, at the same time entertain everybody.

“That’s almost a no-win situation. If you win by 15 or 20, people say 'why it wasn’t 25 or 30?' In spite of the disappointment of third place, this felt more satisfying.”

Precisely because it was. Tomjanovich and his staff fought the odds of playing against veteran national teams from around the globe that had been together for years and a deck that was stacked against them. First, the NBA stars abandoned them. Then, a group of agents sabotaged their effort, persuading experienced former NBA players -- i.e. Dominique Wilkins and Byron Scott -- to pass on invitations as a show of support for the union.

In the end, what did the U.S. fans miss without the Dream Team, except a gold medal that would have come from overkill in the place of true competition. What they got instead was an effort from a gritty bunch that was truly inspirational.

Tomjanovich's squad had nearly pulled off a miracle in the semifinals, letting a 10-point lead over Russia slip away. Those of us who were there will always remember those last three minutes, the misplays, the several horrible calls by the officials. It was a different, quicker, more unfamiliar game to the Americans in a time when the NBA rules had not yet been changed to allow more flow and international players did not yet populate nearly one-fourth of the league.

Tomjanovich would not allow them to stay down from the emotional blow. In the fragile hours when the loss to Russia still hurt like an open wound, Tomjanovich got them to look at the bigger picture accomplishment that could come from winning the third place game over Greece and leaving with their heads held up.

This team played hard, running their legs and not their mouths. There was little ego, certainly no sense of entitlement.

“Those guys got as much out of what they have as any team I’ve ever been around,” Tomjanovich said.

So did a coach, who deserves to be bronzed again.
Click to expand...

This is a great article except for its omission of his career as a player, during which he took a nearly deadly punch to the face. Dude has been through so much adversity. Should have been first ballot HOF. His omission continues to haunt the Hall.

HTown_TMac · Feb 18, 2018

He makes it this year.

heypartner · Feb 18, 2018

rockbox said: ↑

It was the strike season and none of the pros played. He took a team of CBA and college players. Brad Miller ( a no name at the time) was his best player.
Click to expand...

Miller hadnt played in the NBA yet, same as Tragen Langdon. Miller actually went undraftdd, too. I don’t even think Miller started. Look at he boxscores or recaps. Our Pro Euro players got the most burn, most points, etc.

What’s extra amazing is they put the team together at the last minute. And we almost beat Russia ... game winner rimmed out. That would have advanced us to the Finals game.

kjayp · Feb 18, 2018

overdue... cant heap enough praise on Rudy T!

J.R. · Mar 3, 2018

KingCheetah · Mar 3, 2018

J.R. said: ↑

Click to expand...

JVG always speaking up and repping Houston - much respect.

HRox832 · Mar 3, 2018

J.R. said: ↑

Click to expand...

One thing I love about JVG is that he usually always knows what he's talking about when it comes to the Rockets or anything related to them

KingCheetah · Mar 3, 2018

Patience said: ↑

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.nb...h-reflects-1998-world-championship-basketball

If the "Dream Team" had been there, Rudy Tomjanovich would have gone home with a gold medal.

If the "Dream Team" -- Grant Hill, Gary Payton, Tim Hardaway and the rest of the big-name NBA stars at the time -- had been there, the outcome would have been a foregone conclusion. The United States likely would have won by 10, 20 or 30 points per game.

If the "Dream Team" had been there, the only question might have been whether Nike or Adidas won the sneaker wars.

The 1998 World Championship of Basketball in Athens, Greece ended with Yugoslavia edging Russia for the gold medal and Tomjanovich’s American team whipping the home country for a third-place finish, which was anything but a bronze bust.

When it comes time to make selections for the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Class of 2017, "Rudy T" has a resume that is both short and sweet, a couple of attributes that work both for and against him.

The Rockets enjoyed the sweet taste of an NBA Finals series victory in 1995.
In an age when coaches are often known to stay around for generations, Tomjanovich’s career on the bench spanned just 11 full seasons and parts of two others, shortened by a bout with bladder cancer. In that time, he compiled a record of 527-416 (.559), led the Houston Rockets to back-to-back NBA championships in 1994 and '95 and coached Team USA to the gold medal at the Sydney Olympics in 2000. From 1994-95, his Rockets won a record nine consecutive playoff road games and a record six straight elimination games. The '95 Rockets are the only team in history to win four playoff series over teams with at least 57 regular season wins.

“Don’t ever underestimate the heart of a champion!” became Tomjanovich’s tagline in 1995, after the Rockets became the only No. 6 seed ever to win the NBA title.

But if there is an achievement full of heart and yet most overlooked in Rudy T’s career, a hidden, under-appreciated gem, it is that work done one summer in Athens. Tomjanovich had been named Team USA coach a year earlier and had expected to lead a roster filled with All-Stars against the world. Then the league’s labor lockout in 1998 scratched NBA players from taking part and they were replaced by a collection of ex-collegians and journeymen.

“This was the greatest basketball experience of my life,” said 33-year-old forward David Wood, who had played around the world for 13 pro teams and eight different NBA franchises. “It was an honor to play for my country and for my coach. This will always be special.”

It was special because of the circumstances that brought them together for a 4 1/2-week whirlwind tour through four counties as a disparate group of European exiles, Continental Basketball Association lifers and one college star stepped into the breach left by the "Dream Team’s" absence. The college star, point guard Mateen Cleaves, was expected to run the offense and solidify the lineup, but he suffered a severe ankle sprain on the even of the tournament and never played a minute. Wood, Jimmy Oliver, Jimmy King, Brad Miller and the rest played on.

The question of their worthiness dogged their every step.How could they fill the Dream Team’s high-tops? How could they ever live up to the great American expectations back home?

Simply by following Tomjanovich’s lead and believing.

“With the Dream Team the talent level, of course, would have been overwhelming,” Tomjanovich said. “With that team, you’re talking about detail work, getting plays right, trying to do this and that and, at the same time entertain everybody.

“That’s almost a no-win situation. If you win by 15 or 20, people say 'why it wasn’t 25 or 30?' In spite of the disappointment of third place, this felt more satisfying.”

Precisely because it was. Tomjanovich and his staff fought the odds of playing against veteran national teams from around the globe that had been together for years and a deck that was stacked against them. First, the NBA stars abandoned them. Then, a group of agents sabotaged their effort, persuading experienced former NBA players -- i.e. Dominique Wilkins and Byron Scott -- to pass on invitations as a show of support for the union.

In the end, what did the U.S. fans miss without the Dream Team, except a gold medal that would have come from overkill in the place of true competition. What they got instead was an effort from a gritty bunch that was truly inspirational.

Tomjanovich's squad had nearly pulled off a miracle in the semifinals, letting a 10-point lead over Russia slip away. Those of us who were there will always remember those last three minutes, the misplays, the several horrible calls by the officials. It was a different, quicker, more unfamiliar game to the Americans in a time when the NBA rules had not yet been changed to allow more flow and international players did not yet populate nearly one-fourth of the league.

Tomjanovich would not allow them to stay down from the emotional blow. In the fragile hours when the loss to Russia still hurt like an open wound, Tomjanovich got them to look at the bigger picture accomplishment that could come from winning the third place game over Greece and leaving with their heads held up.

This team played hard, running their legs and not their mouths. There was little ego, certainly no sense of entitlement.

“Those guys got as much out of what they have as any team I’ve ever been around,” Tomjanovich said.

So did a coach, who deserves to be bronzed again.
Click to expand...

This was an amazing achievement - I was really happy that Rudy was able to coach the 2000 Sydney team.

Rock Block · Feb 28, 2019

Just heard Bull on 790 and was just reminded of it. Gawd this pisses me off. How in the f*ck is Dick Bavetta in the HOF (2015) and Rudy isn't??? Makes ZERO sense. PUT RUDY IN!

tinman · Feb 28, 2019

Rock Block said: ↑

Just heard Bull on 790 and was just reminded of it. Gawd this pisses me off. How in the f*ck is Dick Bavetta in the HOF (2015) and Rudy isn't??? Makes ZERO sense. PUT RUDY IN!
Click to expand...

He should easily get in as a coach. EASILY.

Dr of Dunk · Feb 28, 2019

Rock Block said: ↑

Just heard Bull on 790 and was just reminded of it. Gawd this pisses me off. How in the f*ck is Dick Bavetta in the HOF (2015) and Rudy isn't??? Makes ZERO sense. PUT RUDY IN!
Click to expand...

It's actually worse - this thread is from last year when he was at least a finalist.
This year he didn't even make it as a finalist.

https://www.houstonchronicle.com/sp...left-off-Basketball-Hall-of-Fame-13621105.php

And let's give Bavetta some credit - he was probably one of the most-liked refs by players and the guy refereed something like 40 years. He also had some crazy 2000 or 3000 consecutive game streak of games ref'ed.

Rock Block · Feb 28, 2019

Dr of Dunk said: ↑

It's actually worse - this thread is from last year when he was at least a finalist.
This year he didn't even make it as a finalist.

https://www.houstonchronicle.com/sp...left-off-Basketball-Hall-of-Fame-13621105.php

And let's give Bavetta some credit - he was probably one of the most-liked refs by players and the guy refereed something like 40 years. He also had some crazy 2000 or 3000 consecutive game streak of games ref'ed.
Click to expand...

Yes Bavetta was worthy but again how in Hades Rudy T is being omitted I’ll never know. It’s a Travesty. PUT RUDY IN!

Let’s start a petition or something. CF is the perfect place to start it.....

J.R. · Dec 19, 2019

Rudy Tomjanovich is once again a candidate for the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. He is on the ballot for the 2020 class

Rudy Tomjanovich has once again been nominated to be elected into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. "I'm honored to be considered. I hope for the best. There's a big positive to it and I'm going to sort of dwell on the positive."

Jeff Van Gundy & Gregg Popovich have said Rudy Tomjanovich belongs n the Basketball Hall of Fame.He's on the ballot again:"That has been a very,very big blessing to have people stand up for u.I respect Pop.I respect Jeff.Mike D'Antoni's done it.That's like a bonus to all of this"

Jeff Van Gundy on Rudy Tomjanovich a candidate again for the Basketball Hall of Fame:"There are very few no-brainers.This was a no-brainer.I don't understand,for the life of me,how someone who could be casting a ballot,could say he's not worthy. It's nonsense. It's just nonsense"

Gregg Popovich hopeful Rudy Tomjanovich gets n Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame (@Hoophall)in 2020:”It’s long overdue as I’ve said before.He’s had those credentials for quite awhile.Sort of a mystery why he’s not in,but hopefully that’ll be taken care of”

http://www.hoophall.com/news/naismi...es-eligible-candidates-for-the-class-of-2020/

* Indicates First-Time Nominee

North American Committee Nominations
Rick Adelman (COA)
Fletcher Arritt (COA)*
Johnny Bach (COA)
Chauncey Billups (PLA)
Chris Bosh (PLA)*
Kobe Bryant (PLA)*
Rick Byrd (COA)
Muggsy Bogues (PLA)
Irv Brown (REF)
Jim Burch (REF)
Marcus Camby (PLA)
Tim Duncan (PLA)*
Mark Eaton (PLA)
Dale Ellis (PLA)
Hugh Evans (REF)
Michael Finley (PLA)*
Steve Fisher (COA)
Cotton Fitzsimmons (COA)
Kevin Garnett (PLA)*
Richard Hamilton (PLA)
Tim Hardaway (PLA)
Ed Hightower (REF)
Bob Huggins (COA)
Mark Jackson (PLA)
Herman Johnson (COA)*
Marques Johnson (PLA)
George Karl (COA)
Gene Keady (COA)
Ken Kern (COA)
Shawn Marion (PLA)*
Rollie Massimino (COA)
Bob McKillop (COA)*
Danny Miles (COA)
Steve Moore (COA)*
Dick Motta (COA)
Jake O’Donnell (REF)
Jere Quinn (COA)
Jim Phelan (COA)
Digger Phelps (COA)
Lamont Robinson (PLA)
Bo Ryan (COA)
Bob Saulsbury (COA)
Norm Sloan (COA)*
Eddie Sutton (COA)
Rudy Tomjanovich (COA)
Ben Wallace (PLA)
Chris Webber (PLA)
Willie West (COA)
Buck Williams (PLA)*
Jay Wright (COA)

Women’s Committee Nominations
Leta Andrews (COA)
Jennifer Azzi (PLA)
Swin Cash (PLA)*
Tamika Catchings (PLA)*
Becky Hammon (PLA)
Susie McConnell (PLA)
Debbie Miller-Palmore (PLA)*
Kim Mulkey (COA)
Kim Mulkey (PLA)
Marianne Stanley (COA)
Barbara Stevens (COA)
Valerie Still (PLA)
Marian Washington (COA)

DIRECT-ELECT CATEGORY: Contributor Committee Nominations
Marv Albert
Dick Baumgartner
Bill Bertka
Henry Bibby
Marty Blake
Vic Bubas
Wayne Duke
Lou Dunbar*
Bill Foster*
Harry Glickman
Marty Glickman
Simon Gourdine
Curt Gowdy
Tim Grgurich
Del Harris
Greg Heineman
Robert Indiana
Johnny “Red” Kerr
Bill King
John Kline
Red Klotz
Bobby Lewis
Herbert Livsey*
Jack McCloskey
Jerry McHale
Johnny Most
Dennis Murphy
Joe O’Toole
Billy Packer
Jack Powers
Dee Rowe
Zelda Spoelstra
Jim Valvano
Donnie Walsh
Jerome Williams

DIRECT-ELECT CATEGORY: Early African-American Pioneers Committee Nominations
Clarence “Puggy” Bell
Sonny Boswell
Bill Garrett
Inman Jackson
Clarence “Fats” Jenkins
Bucky Lew
Davage “Dave” Minor
Hudson Oliver
Al “Runt” Pullins
James “Pappy” Ricks
Paul Robeson
Eyre Saitch
William “Wee Willie” Smith

DIRECT-ELECT CATEGORY: International Committee Nominations
Patrick Baumann*
Tal Brody
Jackie Chazalon
Alphonso Ford
Giuseppe Giergia
Semen Khalipski
Vladimir Kondrashin
Toni Kukoc
Marcos Leite
Shimon Mizrahi
Aldo Ossola
Amaury Pasos
Dan Peterson
Manuel Sainz
Togo Soares
Ranko Zeravica

DIRECT-ELECT CATEGORY: Veterans Committee Nominations
1936 US Olympic Team (TEAM)
1964 State Department Basketball Ambassadors (TEAM)
1965 World University Games Team (TEAM)*
Tom Blackburn (COA)*
Ron Boone (PLA)
Sid Borgia (REF)
Frank Brian (PLA)
Joe Caldwell (PLA)
Mack Calvin (PLA)
Darel Carrier (PLA)
Jack Coleman (PLA)
Bob Dandridge (PLA)
Charles Eckman (REF)
Leroy Edwards (PLA)
Leo Ferris (CONT)
Clarence “Bevo” Francis (PLA)
Buck Freeman (COA)
Donnie Freeman (PLA)
Travis Grant (PLA)
Bob Grody (PLA)
Robert Harrison (PLA)
Flo Harvey (PLA)
Dick Hemric (PLA)
Cam Henderson (COA)
Robert Hopkins (PLA)
Lou Hudson (PLA)
Warren Jabali (PLA)
Jimmy Jones (PLA)
Charles Keinath (PLA)
Kentucky Wesleyan 1966, 1968, 1969 (TEAM)*
Freddie Lewis (PLA)
Jim Loscutoff (PLA)
Loyola of Chicago (TEA)
Billy Markward (CONT)
Ed McCluskey (COA)
Ray Mears (COA)
Francis Meehan (PLA)
Donald “Dudey” Moore (COA)
Willie Naulls (PLA)
Philadelphia SPHAS (TEA)
Mel Riebe (PLA)
Glenn Roberts (PLA)
Holcombe Rucker (CONT)
Kenny Sailors (PLA)
Fred Schaus (CONT)
Kenny Sears (PLA)
Frank Selvy (PLA)
George Senesky (PLA)
Paul Seymour (PLA)
Charles Siler (CONT)
Talvin Skinner (PLA)
Ken Suesens (PLA)
Dick Van Arsdale (PLA)
Tom Van Arsdale (PLA)
Perry Wallace (PLA)
Frank Walsh (CONT)
Willie Wise (PLA)
Max Zaslofsky (PLA)

DIRECT-ELECT CATEGORY: Women Veterans Committee Nominations
Alline Banks Sprouse (PLA)
Edmonton Commercial Grads (TEAM)
John Head (COA)
Pearl Moore (PLA)
Nashville Business College (TEAM)
Lometa Odom (PLA)
Harley Redin (COA)
Teresa Shank (PLA)
Hazel Walker (PLA)

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