After lockout boredom led me to look over all-time player roster I recalled that lot's of head coaches played for the Rockets...and some pretty good ones: Rudy T (homer pick). Pat Riley. Rick Adleman. From there its a mixed bag: Mike Dunleavy (average coach, but longevity) Scott Brooks (good young talent+up and coming coach?) Avery Johnson (good talent, mediocre coach?) John Lucas (good coach, bad teams?) Mike Woodson Mark Jackson (no record to judge yet) Assistants: Mario Ellie Sam Cassell
You're missing a few : Johnny Egan was a player for the Rockets, then became our head coach. Matt Guokas played for us and became an NBA head coach later. Dave Wohl played for us and became an NBA head coach later. Lionel Hollins played for us and coaches the Grizzlies. That doesn't include players like Clyde who "head coached" in college.
And there's Chris Jent, the briefness of whose NBA head-coaching career is exceeded only by the briefness of his NBA playing career. He's been an assistant coach for a while, though.
I understand why, and I love Rudy T too, but ranking Rudy ahead of Pat Riley based on coaching merit is just crazy
Head to head says otherwise. Riley is great GM, but he has always had superior talent. He has never done something with nothing.
Rudy T is my favorite Rocket's coach of all time, and it is not even close. He won two championships. Also he was and is just a wonderful person. Love ya, Rudy!!
