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Which former Rockets player would be your pick for Head Coach of this team?

Discussion in 'Houston Rockets: Game Action & Roster Moves' started by Richie_Rich, Dec 27, 2013.

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Choose a former Rockets player as new Head Coach

Poll closed Jan 26, 2014.
  1. Rick Adelman

    12 vote(s)
    14.0%
  2. Rudy T

    24 vote(s)
    27.9%
  3. Calvin Murphy

    10 vote(s)
    11.6%
  4. Pat Riley

    18 vote(s)
    20.9%
  5. John Lucas

    3 vote(s)
    3.5%
  6. Rick Barry

    1 vote(s)
    1.2%
  7. Mike Dunleavy, Sr.

    0 vote(s)
    0.0%
  8. Avery Johnson

    3 vote(s)
    3.5%
  9. Scotty Brooks

    3 vote(s)
    3.5%
  10. Someone else - not named Scotty Pippen

    12 vote(s)
    14.0%
  1. Richie_Rich

    Richie_Rich Member
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    Which former Rockets player would you have as coach for this Rockets team?

    Disclaimer: this is not a bash McHale thread. Please stick to the topic at hand. Thanks.

    To make this selection easier, disregard our GM's current Moreyball philosophy (i.e. high offensive pace, layups & 3 pointers, advanced stats, etc.) This current team, as constructed, will take on the personality and system of your preferred coach (i.e. former Rockets player).

    For the sake of nastalgia, let's also include former Rockets from San Diego. Assume all candidates are in their coaching primes.

    • Rick Adelman (SD Rockets, 1968-69)
    • Rudy Tomjanovich (SD/Hou Rockets, 1970-80)
    • Calvin Murphy (SD/Hou Rockets, 1970-82)
    • Pat Riley (SD Rockets, 1967-69)
    • John Lucas (Hou Rockets, 1976-77, 84-86, 89-90)
    • Rick Barry (Hou Rockets, 1978-79)
    • Mike Dunleavy, Sr. (Hou Rockets, 1977-81)
    • Mario Elie (Hou Rockets, 1994-97)
    • Avery Johnson (Hou Rockets, 1991)
    • Scott Brooks (Hou Rockets, 1992-93)
    Your selection does not have to come from this list, but please give a fair assessment/prediction as to your head coach's win/loss record at 2013-14 season's end.

    I'll go first.

    Pat Riley as Head Coach, 57-25 (W/L)
    Advances to Western Conference Finals
    Rockets lose 4-2 to OKC Thunder

    I'll probably get flamed for not going with Rudy T, and that's fair. He's royalty around here and for good reason. He was a helluva coach. One of my ALL-TIME favorites. But I just feel that this team needs a hard ass, no nonsense, defensive minded coach (in the mold of Coach Pop). Someone that commands respect and keeps his players AND stars accountable. Someone that's won consistently at the highest level of playoff competition with multiple organizations. That's why I'm going with Riley.
     
  2. iconoclastic

    iconoclastic Member

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  3. pacmania

    pacmania Member

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    I've brought this up before, If we were going to hire someone not because of their resume' or technical competence why do we have to reward a former boston celtics player? why not a former houston rockets player? Obviously it's because of Morey's links with boston that Mchale got the job. He had an absolutely disastrous stay with the Minnesota Timberwolves.
     
  4. Alvin Choo

    Alvin Choo Member

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    Somehow I like the idea of Battier as a coach if he does not run for president.

    Shout out as well for Sam Cassell ( asst coach at wizards.)
    Would be fun if Deke, Dream or Yao become head coach. They will have no idea what the coach will be saying half of the time.
     
  5. Chef_Monteur

    Chef_Monteur Member

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    Easy choice, gotta go with Rudy.
     
  6. rocketurk

    rocketurk Member

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    If he's somehow interested in coming back:

    "Don't ever underestimate the heart of a champion"
     
  7. Chef_Monteur

    Chef_Monteur Member

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    Since I can't edit my post, I forgot to mention why I would choose Rudy. Mostly because his teams played with heart and desire to win. They picked each other up when one guy was down. They never gave up, no matter how far they fell in a series or on the scoreboard, as a fan you always knew that our team wasn't done fighting until the last second rolled off the clock.

    Adelman is a good coach too, maybe even a smarter guy than Rudy. But, there has always been something missing from his teams. The fire and desire to win at all costs and the poise to get the job done under pressure. Adelman has coached some talented teams before, arguably as talented as the Rockets teams that won championships and yet he's continuously failed to get results. I think a lot of it is that Adelman lacks that passion and desire that Rudy had, and it reflects on his players too, in a major way.
     
    1 person likes this.
  8. RocketsRed14

    RocketsRed14 Member

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  9. Lemonte

    Lemonte Member

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    Kenny Smith.
     
  10. tycoonchip

    tycoonchip Member
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    No you will not get flamed for picking Riley. You will however get torn up for picking okc to win.
     
  11. RiceDaddy7

    RiceDaddy7 Member

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    Why isn't Mario Elie on this list?
     
  12. Benchwarmer

    Benchwarmer Member

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    How about Sam Cassell ?
     
  13. Chris Jent MVP

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    Stopped reading there.
     
  14. Dclay85

    Dclay85 Member

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    Mark Jackson
     
  15. Houstunna

    Houstunna The Most Unbiased Fan
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    Calvin or Rick Barry. Their bball knowledge and personality are great although Murphy could tone down a little. Calvin sounded good during halftime when he roasted the Rockets for the mental letdowns.

    Elie deserves mention as well.
     
  16. Houstunna

    Houstunna The Most Unbiased Fan
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    Probably don't want to hear, but Rudy T is overrated. He wasn't bad just not great. The team's entire philosophy was throw it to Hakeem and be ready for open 3's. He was blessed with hardnosed players and the Sonics losing.. they swept us the next season. We lost with Barkley and he didn't do well in LA.

    Is Rudy going to motivate Harden? IDK

    Not bad, but not great.
     
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  17. Chris Jent MVP

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    This is a silly feel-good thread for fans stuck in the 80's-90's.

    There is only one correct answer to this question - which potential coach understand Morey's analytical approach to the game? No analytics, no coaching job, period.

    This team is Morey's team. Understand this.
     
  18. Richie_Rich

    Richie_Rich Member
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    Everything you said is absolutely correct. Especially the part about it being a silly, feel-good thread.

    Thanks for playing.
     
  19. redearth

    redearth Contributing Member

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    I second that vote for Shane Battier. When his playing days are over, I hope he gets an opportunity to develop in a coaching role.
     
  20. Richie_Rich

    Richie_Rich Member
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    Mario is on the list in the OP. Probably could've taken Dunleavy off the poll, and added Elie. But decided to leave in the candidate with real HC experience.

    Cassell should be on this list, I agree.

    Would edit if I could.
     

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