And Rudy T would have been nothing without Dream. What is your point? I don't know how Pop fared over the past 3 seasons without Duncan but I found this thru 2011 without Duncan. http://blog.mysanantonio.com/spursn...-have-fared-with-duncan-in-and-out-of-lineup/ 33-25 without him from 1997-2011.
Ouch. The truth hurts. I believe Rudy was a far better coach during the championship years. It was about inside out basketball. That will still work today, but what eventually evolved into isolation basketball doesn't really work as well other than during the pivotal 3 seconds left sort of plays. Anyway, this seems like a stab at McHale and I get that. Especially because Harden is a much better player when he is sharing the ball and being a facilitator. However, looking to Rudy's championship years... this, to my mind, should be how we play when Howard is in the game. All 5 players have to be dangerous on the offensive end to win it all. Howard is not dangerous unless he's playing down low. He is a good passer out of double-teams. He has the makings of a back to the basket player. Stretches against Portland, early in games, indicated this big time. I see what you are saying about isolation offense, but to me, a big man who gets the ball low and is willing to pass... that's not isolation. That's classic, won-1000+ playoff games for various teams, basketball. Don't forget the genius of Rudy T when you pick apart his failures.
Rudy t was an original rocket then became coach. He was coaching dream who was rocket forever and Houston favorite. It's like family , that's what made clutch city so sweet. Then drexler comes in who is a Houston basketball legend in college and high school. I dont care how many championships the spurs win. Rudy t is a hero.
Rudy T took this HALL OF FAMER packed team to the Championship No. Player Pos 1 Scott Brooks 50 Matt Bullard 10 Sam Cassell 35 Earl Cureton 17 Mario Elie 7 Carl Herrera 25 Robert Horry 21 Chris Jent 11 Vernon Maxwell 34 Hakeem Olajuwon 3 Richard Petruska 42 Eric Riley 20 Larry Robinson 30 Kenny Smith 33 Otis Thorpe Rocket River
Well not sure if you know this, but Hakeem was in the league for a while before Rudy had a chance to coach him, and he won exactly zero championships during that time. On the other hand Pop has been the only coach Duncan has ever had. Additionally, Hakeem and Duncan have different mentalities that are very essential to this argument. Hakeem wanted to be the man no matter what, even when he couldn't bring it anymore. Duncan isn't like that. Tim was content to play a lesser/supporting role. Hakeem had no interest in that. That has nothing to do with the coach. Pop has been able to build his legacy because of Duncan's loyalty and the fact that he's subservient. Duncan's one of the only NBA legends that you can say that about. Rudy didn't have that luxury with Hakeem.
Rudy coached this team to a Bronze medal during the 1998 World Championships Wendell Alexis Ashraf Amaya Mateen Cleaves (Injured) Bill Edwards Kiwane Garris Michael Hawkins Gerard King Jimmy King Trajan Langdon Brad Miller Jimmy Oliver Jason Sasser David Wood
Popovich did coach under Rudy in the Olympics. I'm sure there was some exchange in philosophies... Rudy was a master motivator. X's & O's was fine if you consider it takes good judgement to steer the ship & beat 29 other teams. He gave the ball to his best players & created a system around that... His 3 guard (Mobley, Francis, Moochie) drive & kick for 3 or drive & re-drive offense looking back on it was ahead of its time.
