We all know Rudy wanted to coach the Rockets. I even remember him sometimes during the offseason, he had an interview. He talked about all the tapes he was going to watch and what he was going to do to improve the rockets. I even distintly remember an interviewer saying to him," Do you need Les to tell you that you will be staying as coach of the rockets and that your illnesses will be put behind you." Rudy said,"I have a contract to say that." Isn't he taking like some front office job. We don't need to be giving him a loyalty job because we appreciate what he has done. Put him as an assistant coach. I don't think Van Gundy would mind. It would still be Jef's team, but Rudy would be there to give his imput into things.
Asking Rudy to be an assistant coach under JVG would be a huge insult to Rudy. Thats why it would never happen. If I remember correctly, he will be staying on as a consultant. I think JVG already has a full compliment of assistants anyway.
very true!! making him an assitant coach who won us two championships (( even the first championships in the city's sport history )) to our new head coach who is still prove if he can lead this rockets team to the promised land is utterly insulting!!! its like 10 punches below the belt for rudy t.
That's the worst post I've ever read. Rudy T has given this city so much, to even suggest such a thing is insulting . . .
First, you posted that other thread, what was it? oh yeah, the ESPN Message board rumor, now you saying Rudy T should become an assistant. I'm going to say this the nicest way i can, lay off of creating new threads, please.
I don't think the problem is the insult but rather the power struggle that would naturally ensue. The players already feel a high level of loyalty to Rudy T. Even if they know VG is their head coach now, there would still be a head-coach respect paid to Rudy. While VG is trying to put his own stamp on the team, the last thing he needs is divided loyalties in the team. And, I think Rudy understands that well enough. When Mr. Mean was coaching the games at the end of the season, Rudy wouldn't attend games. He knew players would be looking in his direction even if he wasn't working.
Actually I think JVG would make a good assistant. He is a hard working type and he does seem to be knowledgeable enough. My problem with JVG is he doesn't seem like the type to get his team to play for him. He did his best work as an assistant under Riley. That's the role he is best suited for. But in todays league JVG as head coach just doesn't work for me... Les should have hired him to be Rudy's assistant. That would have been the best scenario... Of course he wouldn't do it but that would be better than what we have now.
I agree that in this situation, it would be extremely insulting, however, it's not without precedent. Isn't Kurt Rambis an assistant for the Lakers? j
I think Rudy T. placed as an assistant coach is absolutely an insult, therefore I really agree with those comments. I also really agree that JVG would have made a great ASSISTANT COACH. But I guess I have to give him a try. I just like his hardnose defensive specialty but Rudy T's ability to keep the players happy. Del Harris is an assistant up in Dallas and I believe has really helped dallas incredibly. I think JVG could have given the same impact. But no more if's or but's... it's time to see how JVG does...
Kurt Rambis was an intern coach, meaning he knew he was gonna lose the job anyways and return to the bench, he was just happy Phil still kept him when Phil rolled into town.
More like being a backup to Stephan Marbury. I don't think that it is appropriate in this situation because Rudy will be a head coach again if he wants to. He proved that he can win championships, so there is no point in going backwards for him. That doesn't mean that it isn't the best thing in some situations. I have often wondered why head coaches didn't move back to assistant jobs more often. There are plenty of guys who were fantastic assistants, but couldn't cut it as head coachs. Some guys are just better as assistants. It isn't necessarily an insult to ask them to do the job they are best at. I would rather be a great assistant on a championship team than a terrible head coach for a losing franchise. Norv Turner did the right thing going back to offensive coaching.
