I know very little about his NBA career. how good or bad was he? Is he a better coach? Just to get Rudy's name in the Mix. Maybe he is the PF we looking for . . *smile* Rocket River
Rudy was a GREAT player, he could score, rebound and was an adequate defender. The most important thing Rudy brought to the table was hustle. He was a joy to watch. "Rudy T off the backboard..BINGO !!" Gene Peterson in the 70's said this a lot. DaDakota
would have been a hall of famer had kermit washington not suckerpunched him from behind. RT was never the same after that. He was a great, great player although if caveman were around he'd say he couldn't play defense, hogged the ball, couldn't shoot it either, etc. Will probably make hall of fame as a coach though.
What a great question. I would say Rudy's been a better coach than player. He's coached two championship teams and won 50+ games, what, three times? As a player, he was a terrific scorer and could rebound with some proficiency. But, he was something of a defensive liability, and the Rockets franchise wasn't particularly successful for most of Rudy's career. Dakota, if you saw him play, I will defer to you on his abilities as a player. I'm mostly going on what I've read about him, especially his autobiography, A Rocket At Heart. ------------------ Nothing but NET-- http://www.clutchcity.NET Don't Fight the Future
I did indeed see Rudy play, I even recall us getting jobbed by the referees in the EASTERN conference final, when John Lucas was called for a charge and the other player was clearly moving. DaDakota - A Rocket fan since 1973 or so.
I try to ask great questions. DaDaKota: Sounds like most of the oiler games from 1980 - thesorryingratefulb*stardslefttown. [I'm not bitter .. . after rooting for the loser org since childhood and being stabbed in tha back . . . no . . not bitter at all.] I think we could use some Rudy Hustle nowadays. Maybe he could show these new players some of his film footage. Rocket River
I'm old enough to have seen Rudy play also, but I wouldn't say that he was a great player. He was a very good player, very hard nosed who was NOT afraid to throw his body around. He was a classic overachiever and had the greatest long range bank shot that I've ever seen. Nobody since shoots that shot anymore. No way he was a HOFer. [This message has been edited by grummett (edited December 14, 1999).]
