There are some differences in the stories of Les and Rudy. Whose decision do you think it was? I don't think Rudy's a good enough actor that he had no part in the decision. I believe Les asked him to step down, but he is also ready for a break. I vote 75% club, 25% RT.
At first I thought the decision was predicated on the availability of JeffVanGundy...it looks like thats not true. I dont think Larry Brown or Pat Riley are coming here..If its not Van Gundy we are screwed.
There lies the problem. Les says RT approached him. However, In the press conference, Rudy said (paraphrasing) 'Les asked me some questions about my health, which led to a long discussion...about me.'
The most telling thing in the press conference was when Dawson said " I'm just glad Les is doing it in this way...you know, with Rudy staying in the organization." It doesn't take a genius to figure out what that meant.
maybe it went down something like this: ======================================== rudy: hey les im back from europe and i saw doc rockets JVG thread, what gives? les: (silence) rudy: is my job safe? les: can't answer that, im still exploring all my options.. rudy: i think i deserve a straight answer.. les: (silence) rudy: i dont need this ****, im fighting cancer for christ sake! les: suit yourself ==================================== les: rudy just quit cd: really!?! no way! les: really cd: well, he can't go out like that, PR nightmare les: okay, we will work something out. you know if JVG is available? =========================================
I think it does matter. If it was "Rudy, you are fired. Please lie to the media for me," then that is disrespectful. As to "new beginnings," I am still a Rocket fan, and genuinely wish the best for the team, but am slightly less enthused than I was. Not just because I think this brings us closer to the lottery again, but because I hate to think of the possibility of RT in another organization.
Fired by Les, look at Les' quotes about Rudy. It is clear that he was unsatisfied with the Rockets, and Rudy was the coach. Rudy took the classy way out, as expected....good for Rudy. However, good for Les in that he recognized, FINALLY, that Rudy was wrong for a young team. DD
We'll probably never know for sure, but I do think that it was very likely a decision Rudy made for himself but not one Les was uncomfortable with. I would think that Les didn't demand anything but that the "stress" Rudy had to deal with he mentioned probably was increased by the need to succeed or possibly lose his job. He loves it in Houston and I think he wanted to stay here and not really face the reality of that kind of stress anytime soon. He said it himself that he was driving by Minute Maid and he just wanted to be a normal guy that goes to the ballgame. I think he needs a break and he saw this as the right opportunity and Les was more than willing to oblige.
Did you guys listen to the press conference? Call me naive, but I just can't believe that Rudy would lie for a half hour straight about his reasons, particularly when the natural reaction if he was fired would be to be angry. He was depressed not angry. And he did seem genuine about his desire to have a break from the presurre. Everyone loves conspiracy theories, but to accept this one, you have to accept that Rudy is a complete liar. I don't buy it.
I agree somewhat Jeff. I think Les is a smart man and took some time to think about it. Rudy might have been saying he'll be ready ,but Les probably was like, your health this and health that. Rudy took the hint and les was like we'll keep you in the organiztion.
VDM, Rudy has lied in front of the cameras for years...."No we would never trade Hakeem" "No, Mario and Willis to Toronto....no way" Come on, he is great at lying, that is what made him so good. Now, anyone that thinks that this was not a 100% Les decision is fooling themselves. Just look at the quotes at the end of the season, not one endorsement from Les...he had made his mind up then. Rudy was out after the team underperformed this year. DD
the real reason rudyT left? i believe that it was rudyT's decision. i think les wanted to fire larry, and rudy said i won't do it, i will resign, and he did. i mean, it makes sense that someone would hang for the collapse. and rudy got all broke up when he mentioned his coaches. just my hunch. should be a wild off season.
i believe that it was rudyT's decision. i think les wanted to fire larry, and rudy said i won't do it, i will resign, and he did. i mean, it makes sense that someone would hang for the collapse. and rudy got all broke up when he mentioned his coaches. just my hunch. should be a wild off season
DD. Right on! Hat's off to Les for having the GUTS to make a move many will villify him for, but a move that is best for the organization. Put things together: an underachieving team, no playoffs for four years in a row, a new arena, and a coach with real health concerns. I love RT but he didn't get it done with this bunch and needed to step down. Last year's performance and stats speak volumes. It's time for a fresh start. I wish for Rudy only the best. . D R
Rudy's a classy enough guy that I think he can understand the club's perspective that he's too much of a health risk to be an effective coach of a young team even for next season. Unlike most other franchises, the Rox doesn't have a rep for being a revolving door type place, so my guess is that he feels the club has been good to him just as he has been such a loyal soldier for the organization. I think it was a 50-50 thing, with Rudy probably already knowing what mgmt was going to tell him.
