I love Rudy, but.... Rudy's coaching method is too weak to win a chapionship in today's game. It worked when he could get superstars to win one-on-ones and isos, but the rules have changed since those days. Also, today's coach needs to be more of a motivator. Younger players don't have as much hunger as the old-school players did. Rudy used to be able to just let Dream and his team walk on the court and play their game, and they'd have the hunger to win. Now, coaches have to push hunger on the players more than they used to. And Rudy's not much of a coach for that. I do NOT want Rudy to coach anywhere else. I don't think he has what it takes any more, and I would hate to see the Rockets beat the crap outa him. Also, watching Rudy coach elsewhere is like watching your dad sleep with another woman. Just a bad feeling. -- droxford
Originally posted by gucci888 Your post is straight wrong. You say that Steve cannot be taught or be changed, but when has SF been asked to do so before JVG came in? And if you say that SF hasn't changed his game, or atleast have tried his hardest to do so, then you are not watching the right game. Ok, one by one. When has Cat been asked to do so before JVG? When has Yao been asked to do so before JVG? Hm? Well? Ok, now, Cat was asked to this season, he did it successful with no hinders to his game, infact became great improved additions to his game. Yao was asked to be Patrick Ewing, which is a stupid thing to ask of his talents, and not only did it not affect his game badly, but he managed to do something he isn't meant to do, while improving on his game. Might I add, this done by a 2nd year sophomore. When was Boki asked before JVG? Again, another example that did what he was told to improve on, and did it successfully, another 2nd year sophomore and one who hadn't even seen playing time last year, asked to improve on his game and does so, installing into an already set offense and gameplan and gives a successful finish. Yes, he has tried his hardest, lol, but that's the thing, it's so difficult for him to try to learn something or grow, because it's not within his capabilities. So he HAD to try so HARD. He is heart, ALL heart, but without brains, it's just a monkey throwing itself at a cage over and over again without give. How can you say Rudy would have kept the team guard oriented? Yao came in 2 weeks before the season started, they barely had time to work together, and you expect Rudy to throw it down to Yao everytime his rookie season? Rudy did what he thought was best to win ball games, and if it is between a 2 time allstar guard and a international rookie who hadn't shown anything yet, you go with the experience. And what he thought was best to win ball games, was turn it over to a annoyingly redundant and more stupid than now Steve and Cat? True, there were no other alternatives, but at the time, Rudy was a complacent coach he just wanted to let his players do what they wanted, you can't tell me, he would've taught Cat Defense AND how to LEARN his role, or that he would've even HINTED to Steve what JVG has DRILLED into Steve to LEARN, which he hasn't been able to. No way does Cat or Steve listen to Rudy, knowing how complacent he is. Rudy made the Dream the player he is, not saying Yao is anywhere near the Dream, but Rudy knows the importance of a dominant bigman. And before we got Yao, we didn't even have a decent bigman to work with. Rudy was great for the Rocket's of old, hell, the majority of the team were all mature, smart vets with fire in their bellies. But, he is not the coach for such a young stubborn team. JVG is more suited for such a task, discipline is required, he installed it, and our players, except Francis, grew. "Dislikes anything that makes sense and promise?"- I don't know about you, but scoring 85ppg isn't promise and doesn't make sense in the West. Hm, I don't get what you're pointing at here, with those 85ppg. Yes, we made the playoffs, big deal. If Karl would have stayed in Utah, we would have been lottery bound. I'm not looking for 2 game improvements (I know it takes time), but if JVG doesn't adjust and start putting points on the board, we won't survive in the West, period. I'm sorry, but JVG adjust? All he needs to adjust to, is not having Patrick Ewing. He needs to use Yao's talents which are consistent and worth building around to, and stop forcing him to just bang in the low post, he has too many talents to shun them into this "big men must ALL bang down low" theory. And to cease his bringing in of New york crap "talents". Aside from that, he caused Cat's maturing and change, which was a great improvement. He brought out Boki's fire, through his pushing and demanding more of him. And he's made a young stubborn team, into a team that listens to their coach and actually try to do what he says to the word or else they know they'll get an earful. lol "JVG needs to adjust", if I ever heard a biased statement, that one's it. Well, now all I can do is wait, for you blind "Steve must stay to win if not we're screwed" supporters, to come up with another excuse er.. "reason".
Can we give up on rudy t, face the facts he is gone. He did good when he was here, but his time was over.
Some of you need to re-watch the 94 Finals, then the 95 finals, and see the fastbreaks and in/out game that Rudy coached, 1) Yao would get at least 1 touch per trip down. This did not happen over night w/ Dream... but when Rudy took over the reigns, Dream had earned this treatment. Yao was a rookie w/Rudy. 2) The guards would drive, slash, pass and move with a dominant inside game in place... something that Yao is just now going to get into the habit of. 3) Rudy taught great defense, but he knew when to let the shooters loose and light it up on offense... this is where JVG is steering us downhill. All D, not enough O. 4) I would take Rudy back as soon as he was ready. Once a champion, always a champion. JVG was a bench warming assistant when we schooled him in '94, under Rudy's leadership, and apparently JVG's defense wasn't good enough then, and is still not good enough now to win on its own. We need a coach with a mind for offense as well as defense. 5) Rudy 2 titles. JVG 0 titles. Who has the greater chance of repeating greatness? Great ones do. Who has the greater chance of repeating ineptitude? Under-achievers do. 6) Rudy may be in no hurry to coach... but I'm certain its because Les is no hurry to vacate the one position that Rudy would take. Yet. If Rudy coaches again, it'll be here.
Rudy's in no hurry to coach just like JVG is in no hurry to quit. Funny how that works out. Too bad for us, nothing ever changes around here.
Winning basketball is adapting a coaching style to your players. JVG did not do that. He is still playing that unwatchable "Knick-ball" EXACTLY. The "style" of this club could've been (and was...go look back) predicted by many people, including me. He didn't adjust all season long, and even worse, he didn't adjust during the playoff series.
Good post. I agree with number 2. Yao was a rookie last year and it showed. This season he began to make strides but then fell back to his complacent play. He can't be as passive as he has been. Once he starts to be more of a dominant player the inside out game would excel.
I mean the way it sounds is really too good to be true. I mean JVG will probably coach this year and if we see that it's not going to good we go to Rudy when he is ready to coach. I don't want to see him coach anywhere becuase i know he can make winners out of them.
Would be really nice to know his opinion on this topic. I really believe a lot of players in Houston had to really adjust. Lets say Boki, The guy was brought in by Rudy cuase he is a scorer and would fit in a Rudy system. Then he has to change his style to get any PT from JVG. I am sure the switch over of systems from Offense to Deffense have really hurt people.
You really haven't followed Rudy T as a coach, have you? Rudy T is the EPITOME of inside-out basketball. That's why I was a little bitter that they were so quick to throw him to the wayside. Rudy won 2 championships by spreading the floor, going inside, drawing a double team and creating mismatches. He FINALLY got the big man he wanted, and then poof, he's "retired." It was a shame. If you like JVG, then that's great. I don't have a problem with that. But don't drag Rudy T. down to lift JVG up, ESPECIALLY when you're absolutely wrong about Rudy T's system.
I am like many out there. I loved when Rudy was coaching us to Championships. And would love to see it happen again. Although I did question his ability to truly coach and motivate the team as our veterans retired or moved on, and the team got younger and lacked the self-disciplines needed to truly succeed under Rudy’s coaching style. But that’s another thread. It is obvious that Rudy will coach again someday. I know this may be hard for many out there, but let's imagine that it is not for the Rockets. Who would it be for? What team would best fit his style of coaching, and would also be willing to fork up the $$$ I think it would take to convince Rudy to commit. IMO here are some characteristics of a team that would fit Rudy’s style. -A team of seasoned veterans who know what it takes to win, not a team who needs a disiplinarian. -A team with a big man presence, and some shooters (like many have mentioned, Rudy loves to run an end-side-out game) -A team with a lot of management to handle non-coaching issues and allow Rudy to concentrate on coaching. -A team that would provide the high competitive level I think Rudy thrived off of. (Why I think he would stay in the West most likely) I could probably think of a few other things, but the more I list the more frighteningly obvious it is to me who the most logical fit would be. There is a team out there who has these characteristics. And it has been rumored that they may lose their resident "Zen Master" at the end of the saeson. I know it is a very painful thought. But let's say that Ol' Phil does leave the traveling circus after this year. LA would have to fill his chair with a VERY BIG NAME. A Coach who has proved he can coach a championship caliber team. A coach who would know how to properly use their "BIG MAN". A coach who has shown he can coach a team full of veterans, and get the most out of them. Rudy would definitely be a catch for LA if they lose Phil. Even if La doesn’t keep all their players together, they are going to have the "BIG MAN". And like it or not, he is still the most dominate force in the league. If LA did go after Rudy, he would have to at least consider it. It would probably be hard for him to pass up on coaching a team with the most dominant big man in the game. It worked out really well for him last time. And unfortunately, Shaq will probably still dominate the NBA for at least two more years. Maybe not quite as much as he has over the last few years, but he will still be the player a team changes their game plans for. And LA has plenty of $$$ to throw at Rudy. The Finals have not even started yet and I am already way over analyzing all the scenarios for next year. I think I will just stop now before I make myself sick thinking about the image of Rudy T coaching, not only against the Rockets, but also for the EVIL LA Lakers. Sadly the only reason LA is Evil is because they have so much more talent on their team then any other team in the league, that it is disgustingly sick... Actually with the team LA has, anything short of winning it all would be a complete and utter failure. What coach wouldn't want to coach a team with that much talent? The thought scares me... sorry it is such a long post. I don't post much at Forums. This thought has just been bothering me for a while and I had to get it out.
If Rudy ever coaches the Lakers, my soul will be torn apart and I'll probably never watch NBA basketball again.
Great first post.... you should post more often! I think that Rudy T. would be the answer to your question, "What coach wouldn't want to coach a team with that much talent?" I don't think he's a sell out. And he appreciates the challenge involved as well. Why else would he have hung around during the drought in H-Town? He'll be back here, if anywhere, as his first choice. Aside from here... probably try his hand in the East. I like the odds of here better.
Not necessarily. Larry Brown doesn't stay anywhere longer than 2-3 years. If the Pistons job opens up, I could easily see it being a good fit, and an opportunity to "go home" and lead the club he followed as a kid.
