April 16, 2003, 1:05AM Alexander plans to evaluate things By MEGAN MANFULL Copyright 2003 Houston Chronicle Microphones were placed in front of Rockets owner Leslie Alexander's face, and the cameras and lights were inches away. Alexander leaned against a corridor wall in Compaq Center and asked for a little more space to talk. Then, when the microphones moved back, he asked for more time for think. As the Rockets complete their fourth straight season without a playoff berth, Alexander said he needs time to evaluate all corners of the franchise. He wanted to make it clear, though, that no decisions or changes regarding the future of the Rockets have been made. "I want the season to end and then reflect on what went on and talk about it, so I don't do it quick and things change that shouldn't change," he said during halftime of the Rockets 97-86 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies on Tuesday night. While acknowledging his disappointment with the season, Alexander chose his words carefully regarding his opinions on what went wrong. He refused to place blame on any specific areas of the team. He just made it clear this ending was not what he had in mind when the season got under way at the end of October. In Alexander's 10 seasons with the Rockets, he spent the first six watching his team advance to the postseason. Two of those ended with the Rockets winning NBA championships in 1994 and 1995. But for the last four years, Alexander has had little to brag about when the season ended. Nevertheless, he entered this season confident. Before the games got under way, he said this was "one of the great teams ever assembled" and that it "would bring us some championships in the years to come." But six months later, the team he was referring to is preparing for pickup games instead of playoff games. "If you don't make the playoffs, it means -- I think with this talent -- that you haven't played like a playoff team should have played," Alexander said. "Balance that with the fact the West is so tough. Those things are to be considered, and we evaluate based on that." The roster might be revamped next season, and the coaching staff could undergo changes. But if Alexander has any plans in mind, he has no intentions of announcing them soon. He simply plans to take as much time as he needs to evaluate the entire franchise. "I've done this every year since I owned this organization, except the two years we won championships when I was really giddy," Alexander said. "I evaluate the players, the business side, and the basketball side, and the coaches, the general managers, everybody. "I evaluate myself too, to see what I've done wrong. I can't fire myself, though, when I screw up. But I evaluate everyone, and I will do the same thing at the end of this season that I've done every season I've owned this club."
I'm surprised the Chronicle even ran this article...she covered pretty much everything Feigen had written the day before.
okay... i agree with les. the west is sooooo tough. therefore, i wouldn't be entirely upset if they missed the playoffs for four more consecutive seasons. what the hell is that supposed to mean? is he going to whine to david stern about it? there's nothing you can do about it. it's even more lame the excuses that the players are coming up with. face it les... changes are necessary.
I thought the tone came across much more mild in today's write-up. yesterday, Les sounded more angry and unapologetic. today, he sounds like he wants some time to cool off and think things through.
I imagine Owner Alexander wanted another shot at the article. Didn't improve much, did it? LA was also on Berman last night. Owner Alexander needs to complete his evaluations this month. There needs to be a clear path direction for public and front office to be following before this off season gets away from the Rox (and then they would have another 'off' season).
Les should wait until draft positioning is determined before recommending a trade. I'd also fire all the coaches and start fresh in the new building (but that's just me).
I'm confident that Les will think about who the coach was that built him a new arena when he's doing his 'evaluating'.
I'm confident Les will not let friendships interfere with his decision. Otherwise Les would not be a smart businessman. The NBA is a business. He must evaluate the future not the past. I think Les has been very patient with Rudy. The timing is unfortunate.
Oh, so the Rockets should run their franchise like the Clippers? I guess Yao will be walking in a few years since we won't be signing him to a deal. Better rip up that Francis contract too. You know, it's definitely 'just a business' to Donald Sterling.
The personnel requirement is to identify relative value, to Rox, of each of their personnel. Then Rox can identify who to retain, who to try and offload, who not to resign, who to target from other organizations. Draft positioning concerns come later.
Rudy T is bound to come back as the Head Coach of the Houston Rockets! I am concerned that we need to have strong professional and experienced Coaches as his Assistants. The Tape Room Guys that have been Trainee Assistant Coaches need to be demoted to other jobs! Rudy T need a strong influence from his Assistants, they should be able to steer Rudy into the RIGHT decisions. Our present Assistants are not able to tell Rudy that he is making wrong decisions or drawing wrong conclusions! Rudy T is a players coach and this has caused him to becomer very lax over the yearS about DIRECTION of the Team,DICIPLIN , PLAYS on the court, and poor PLAYER SELECTION in the off seasonS .
This team has talent,but no direction or chemistry. The QUESTION that les should ask himself,is ,do I trade all the players except ming? or do I bring in a whole new coaching regime that puts an offense together? IMO its easier to get rid of coaches,than trade the whole team. I feel sorry for Les.He doesnt know that much about basketball,and his only advice probably comes from the same guys that turned down lewis twice. I think the burden is on Rudy.He should realize himself,that he isnt getting it done,and should do whats best for the team and step down.Hire the dude from the Addams family or Dunleavy SR. One question,didnt Larry Smith say he is using Rudys "same system with a different voice"? If larry goes,so should rudy.
Nice try though. Les owes Rudy nothing. If Les feels Rudy can lead the Rockets to a championship (the future), then Rudy will be back. If not, he will be gone.
You know. You've been repeating this, and I think you are flat out wrong. Lewis wanted the max. I don't think you can prove to me that we could have made that trade work under the salary cap rules. You have no proof that they turned down an offer, only that they talked about it. That is a very hard deal to make. Lewis would have serious Base Year Compensation issues, and Eddie's contract is very far away from the max. Lewis signed for $7m as is. Clearly he was only going to do a SnT for the max...and like I say, that trade is doable only with a 3rd team involved that was willing to broker about $5m in salary cap or trade exception...it is very difficult to pull off. Why do you think the entire NBA passed on a trade for Lewis...because he wanted the maximum and it was too hard to pull off.
Lewis though eventually never got the max contract he wanted, but rather the contract that the Sonics were dangling all along. Which quite frankly is what he deserved. He was NOT worth a Max contract. Max contracts should only be given to players that are at the VERY top of their position in the NBA. If you are not on the all star team yearly...you should not be getting a max contract.
Who are you talking about? Not Rudy I hope. It took a re-vote, an ultimatum by David Stern and a strong effort from Clutchcity(Thanks Jeff) to get the new arena...if Rudy had any effect on getting the new arena it was a negative one. Freak, you seem to ignore the fact that one coach cannot be effective towards every type of player and every type of team. Rudy's 'player's coach' image isn't what this team of undisiplined players need, face it. Do you REALLY think our players respect RudyT as much as they'd respect Larry or Hubie Brown or Phil Jackson? Hell no. These players aren't responsive to the coach anymore, it happens, accept it and stop with the Rudy worship, it happens to ALL coaches.
You think they don't respect him? Oh right, excuse me you must share the exact feelings of all the players. Who voted you in to speak for ALL of the players?
I believe the players like and respect Rudy. I don't believe they are tuned in, however. That's another issue. IF Rudy is replaced the new coach better have the players tuned into him. It has to be someone the players will 'automatically' respect, with long term job security. IF Rudy remains there should be additions (not substractions then additions) to the staff including two established, respected NBA coaches (not replacement for Rudy in waiting) to add cred, improve coaches' effect on players positioning, performances.
