Does anyone here think that Rudy deserves to get into the hall of fame. His winning % has dipped a bit lower these last few years. But if he would have kept coaching it would of went back up once the team got a lot of experience. I for one would like to think that he is hall of fame material.
He probably won't be a hall of fame coach or player. He should be in there if you combine his contributions to basketball as both player and coach.
On the other hand, wasn't he a 5 time all-star, whereas HOF'er Calvin Murphy only went to one. I could be wrong, but heard it on the radio the other day.
My question is: Should Rudy be honored somehow next season? I know the jersey is already hanging but what could we do? Maybe build a statue since Hakeem doesn't want his?
Wow I did not know that he was in there only once. I wasn't old enough to watch too many rockets games when Rudy and Calvin were playing so I based it on stats mostly (which isn't enough). Calvin probably got in there because of his lack of height. He's probably one of the greatest players under 6 feet to ever play the game.
I agree with ChenZen. It would have to be based on his overall contributuons to the game as a player (college & pro), scout, asst. coach, and head coach. He is deserving, but it might not happen for a long time.
100% yes even just for coaching. Long successful tenure in one franchise (2 championships, great playoff anf overall regular season record) - I think longevity helps a lot (of course the championships are reasons number one and number two) Took basically a bunch of nobodies and did extremely well in international competition Won an Olympic gold medal (fine, it was with NBA players, but hey look at the last World Championships to see it is no longer automatic) What more do you want to qualify as a coach? As far as player, it might be a bit harder since there are so many qualified players who had exceptional careers, not that he doesn't deserve some consideration.
Maybe Jeff can clarify, but I think they separate players and coaching. Not sure if they can combine the too. I think he has a shot based on his coaching career alone. Is Jerry Sloan a HOF? Jackson? Nelson?
codell, Rudy has missed his "first ballot" opportunity for player already. There is no such thing as "first ballot" for a coach..as Larry Brown was enshrined last September. Rudy won't make it as a player. Kiki V hasn't yet, either. But Kiki and Rudy could make it as a "Contributor" like Wayne Embry did as a 5-time all-star player, and later the first black GM, with a lot of success. You can make it to the hall as a "Player," "Coach," "Contributor" or "Team." Lenny Wilkins and John Wooden are the only people who have gone in under two categories for individual enshrinement. They were actually enshrined in two separate ceremonies.
