Here's the article: D'ALESSANDRO: Rockets' shortcomings put Rudy T on hot seat Sunday, April 20, 2003 There were many strange postmortems this past week -- more than the usual annual quota, anyway. In Toronto, Vince Carter basically invited the organization to drop a lit firecracker down his shorts because "that laid-back attitude" Lenny Wilkens brought to the team was bad for the Raptors. In Washington, Doug Collins was seen weeping after a poignant postgame soliloquy about how the hip-hop monsters in the locker room didn't respect him, with Michael Jordan vowing to paddle their underachieving bottoms into compliance this summer. And in New York, of course, the white knight that everyone predicted would ride in to save them was immediately knocked off his steed again, perhaps never to ride again. But the most ominous Baggie Day was held in Houston, where Rudy Tomjanovich was basically told to get well, or get lost. Rudy T, of course, was diagnosed with bladder cancer on March 17, and he immediately left the team so he could concentrate on his treatments. The Rockets' season nose-dived from there, yet they still improved by 15 victories and finished only one game out of a playoff berth with a wonderful rookie center surrounded by Romper Room rejects and one sage head (Glen Rice) who can't really play anymore. So Leslie Alexander, the owner, took the half-empty approach Wednesday: "I'm going into this thinking that my primary goal is to have a stable franchise," the owner said. "To have stability means having people working with you awhile. We'll leave it at that." Doesn't exactly sound like a ringing endorsement of Rudy T, does it? "We'll leave it at that," Alexander repeated. In other words: That's your cell phone ringing, Mr. Van Gundy, please pick up. Those love letters to Yao Ming over the TNT airwaves could pay dividends sooner than you think. The Rockets are a strange bunch. On the one hand, they have two positions set for the next decade -- the two hardest positions to fill, in fact -- with Yao and Steve Francis as the chief building blocks. But they also have more players in the rotation -- Kelvin Cato, Cuttino Mobley, Maurice Taylor, to name a few -- whose games are so aggravating, they should all be tied in a bag and airdropped over some sparsely populated region somewhere. Greenland immediately springs to mind. Tomjanovich and his alter-ego, GM Carroll Dawson, take responsibility for the roster, but it's not the roster Alexander has problems with. In fact, he is positively delusional about it: "If you don't make the playoffs, it means that you haven't played like a playoff team should have played," the owner declared. "I think we have an abundance of talent." If we are reading our claptrap-to-ownerese dictionary correctly, that means this is the coaching staff's fault. Okay, go with that: Rudy isn't the sharpest X-and-O guy in the game, he isn't great at getting his younger kids to follow with the game plan, and he generally has the most boring team in the basketball universe. But there is no one in the league as universally admired, and no one whose players return as much affection. Francis made that clear the other day, proclaiming, "I hope nothing happens to the staff, because I don't want to be in a situation where I'm adjusting to a new coach. I don't think I could play for another coach. I'm sticking with my coach." Of course, his new six-year, $85 million contract kicks in this August, so he's stuck, but it's the thought that counts. Too bad he wasn't as thoughtful when Rudy told him to throw it into the post. This team is impossibly young, and while we don't hold out much hope that many of them will grow up anytime soon between the ears, it would seem that Alexander is skirting the razor-sharp edge of megalomania. Either that, or he's getting very nervous over the fact that he hasn't sold a single luxury suite in the new arena that opens next season. Leave it to Yao to put in perspective: "I use an old Chinese expression," he said. "Pain and happiness exist together." Can't wait to hear him try that one on the owner.
Jeff, is this true??? "Either that, or he's getting very nervous over the fact that he hasn't sold a single luxury suite in the new arena that opens next season."
It wouldn't surprise me if not a single box has been sold. Who would want to pay that much money to watch this crap in person? If Les wants a stable franchise, can Rudy really devote 110% of his energy on a full time basis over the next few years while battling cancer? So Van Gundy is a possibility huh? Well, welcome to Houston Jeff.
This D'ALESSANDRO guy must be reading this board because all of his comments about the Rockets are dead-on, especially that comment where he said that this is the most boring team in basketball.
DAAYYUUMMM! I guess Les is more business then we thought he was. Luxury box's or not, alot of money is being soent on hos investment and he is getting no return on it. I really think that had Rudy not had a health problem and we didnt maje the playoffs he would be more on the hotseat then we know. I think his health bailed him out of being fired this year. Les would have to deal with a public outcry for being insensitive to Rudy's health if he let him go now. However you have to question what other owners and GM's around the league are saying about the Rockets, and what advise is being given to Les. What Rudy has to worry about is the whole country and 7 million asian people now know this is the most under achieving team in the league...
Are we not blowing this "come back from Cancer" thing a little too far? Coach Calhoun came back during the just concluded college BB season to lead his Huskies to a respectable finish. Rudy's faith will be judged on his Job Review and illness. He will complete his treatment in May and have a follow up biopsy. I believe all will go well as far as that is concerned. Talking about his Job review, many want Rudy back (probably because of sentimental reasons) because they believe he has done a descent job - I am not one of them. I am leaning towarding changing the top man but my fear is that they may not be a suitable replacement - . Larry Smith is aweful. Larry Bird Bird does not want to coach anymore. Larry Brown is too emotional (it looks like he is always crying or dreaming of returning to college ball). The Czar is the architect of those "boring" (albeit effective) Cleveland teams. Which leaves us with Jeff Van Gundy. I like him but I am not sure how he can handle this team. Anyway I am now more convinced that our priority is breaking up the back court. Just like Newgirl pointed out in another thread, moving Iverson to the "2" plus the hiring of Larry Brown changed the 6ers for the better. I am not convinced Mobley will take 6th duties well - so shiping him out is the best course for all parties involved. Mobley indeed is a quality starting 2-guard for many NBA teams other than this present Rockets setup.
The above two paragraphs sums up Rudy T pretty well. He's not very sharp in terms of X's-and-O's. Uses a very simple, predicable, and boring offensive system. He's so nice, that he's a pushover. On the other side. He's genuine. He's a good friend. He's liked. He's not two faced. He's very loyal. And people that know him are loyal to him. That being said. Business will rule sooner or later. Either we win, or someone gets fired. A good compromise would be to move Rudy to upper office.
Beware for what you wish for might be a lot worst than that which you got rid of! At present I dont see a good relacement for Rudy T, also do you think Les is going to throw away $12 mil ? If Les is worried about filling seats then he needs to get serious about the following:- The Roster needs a boost with an established name or two, also some role players. This means Trades, Signings and spending MONEY. If he wants the ARENA to fill he had better put a much improved team on the court. The Francis and Mobes Show just wont cut it anymore, they have had 4 seasons and produced nothing, especially when most fans are clamouring for more of the Big Man Show! He needs to move the deadbeat players off our Roster, he is going to need the salary he is paying Rice and Moochie inorder to help pay our new additions THe Coaching Staff needs a make over- get rid of all Trainee Coaches (Called Assistant Coaches). Hire mature experienced NBA Coaches to be our Assistant Coaches. We cant have the Larry Smith Saga ever again. He might be the very reason that we are not in the Playoffs and why Yao Ming might loose the ROY Award. We need a Defensive specialist Coach and an Offensive specialist coach to guide Rudy T through his weak spots. LES, you want stability- Francis and Mobley have been stable for FOUR years! LES have you noticed the Rockets going anywhere?
This is the most boring -young and exciting team I've watched in a while. When you're team is young as the Rockets and go game without fast breaks despite being one of the best rebounding teams in the league makes no sense. As young as thisteam is and to never trap even when your having trouble scoring makes no sense either. This city likes winner and thats all. If this team played like the Kings,Mavs or Warriors and won, he wouldn't have trouble filling the place up.
Definitely agree with this assessment. They need to bring in some asistant coaches that can also help train the big man and one that can help Steve with his point guard skill( if they don't plan to move him to the 2 position). The fact that Francis was seeking help from John Lucas telling you that we need more assistant coach to help out the player with their skill. I don't know why the Rockets have not took up the offer from Moses and Ralph when they offer to help out Yao. But Les definitely need to spend a little more money to upgrade our coaching staff.
Thank you! A "players coach" and a bunch of former video coordinators might work when you have Hakeem in his absolute prime surrounded by a bunch of smart verteran role players, but not the current version of the Rockets. The last 4 years are proof of that. The only problem I see is whether or not Rudy would go for bringing in a group of assistants that aren't "yes men" like the current staff, not to mention Rudy not having any input in the matter. I think Rudy is loyal to a fault to those guys. Les, you want stability, you got it. 4 years of stable lottery b-ball.
Who do you want? Bill Fitch? How mature do you want them? Larry has been an assistant 10+ years. He did quite a good job going a little less than .500 That's not it. The reason is that Amare was also good, and they are close in talent, but if it's not a tie, YAO will walk away with the ROY That's Rudy T. He saw that Robert Horry never sagged on D, and picked him up instead of Harold Miner. Who's still in the NBA, Miner, or Horry? The only weak Rudy T. spot right now is in his bladder. Correct, but they didn't have YAO passing the ball back to them 1 year ago. Yes, sir. It's called REBUILDING a DYNASTY. That news story may be half right, though... i doubt there will be major changes in the off-season. Maybe players, but no major changes... GO ROCKETS!!
That was 10 years ago. It's been 8 years since the Championships and 4 years since our last playoff appearance. How long are we going to live in the past?
Nobody really gives a flip about Yao winning rookie of the year except you Yao only fans who claim to be Rocket fans. Its a minor accomplishment.
I don't know if the part about the luxury boxes sold is true or not...but I do know they are significantly more expensive in the new stadium. I know someone who works for a company that owned a suite in Compaq Center, and they are seriously considering not purchasing a suite in the new arena due to the pricing.
I disagree. Not that I want Rudy fired. But I question his application of talent. He's doesn't pay attention to detail. He's nervous wreck most of the time; ruffled suit with a drink in his hand, hair messed up. I remember the first time that Sam Cassell came to our team, he created his own shot. Rudy saw those moves and acting like it was the best thing since sliced bread! But that wasn't the case. There were a lot of guards that had those type of moves and plays were being run for them on a common basis. But Rudy didn't do that. He kept the same offense. Hakeem gave him that luxury. Then Drexler and Hakeem later. But we never played a team offense. Why? Rudy didn't know how. Not that he didn't want to. We all know that Rudy never wanted the Rockets coaching job. Why? He didn't want the responsibility, and he felt that he was under-qualified. That's why he chose defense as his forte. He didn't know the first thing about designing an offense or fully utilizing the talent he was giving. When Charles Barkley came to our team, he made great inside moves and Rudy acted again like it was the most amazing thing he never saw. Well, duh! It's been going on in the league for the last 50 years. Barkely wasn't the only post player that had those type of skills. It's almost like the guy has blinders on. He's a good scout. But he doesn't know how to apply that talent within a sophisticated offense. He wastes a players' potential. All he does is say, "Oh, you have natural talent? Ok, here's the plan: Go one-on-one! And then the next plan is, go one-on-one!" Hakeem and Drexler were already matured. So Rudy was able to get away with simple iso ball for 1 1/2 years. Then the league caught on. This is why Rudy was never a real good regular season coach. He needed the half-court, slow down, "do or die" atmosphere of the playoffs to get the most out of his players, rather than sophisticated offensive system that carried a team through the regular season. That "turn it on in the playoffs" was a copout, or excuse for not being able to coach in the regular season.
