While I like Rudy (mostly since he's the Rockets coach), I can't say that he is anything more than an average to below average X's and O's coach... His offensive structure has no flow to it, and it all depends on how 2 players do (Francis and Mobley)... On defense, the Rockets continue to get burned by picks, and by horrible defensive rotation... There doesn't seem to be a defensive scheme or identity... There is no excuse for this, if the Heat can play the d that they play, then we can too... We have as much athleticism as the Heat... It's just that they actually put in some effort on defense... Rudy needs to quit acquiring the Walt Williams', Colliers' or guys who "fit the offensive system" by being able to hit an occasional open jumper... We have horrible defenders... Our team is full of offensive minded players who are one-dimensional besides Francis and maybe Mobley... Rudy needs to instill into the team's heads that defense can actually help the team win... I don't know why the player's don't know or care about defense, but Rudy needs to do what he can to preach defense... I say get rid of all our players except for Francis and Mobley and get some guys who play with heart and aren't afraid to play defense... Let's get a Jerome Williams/Bo Outlaw type guy who can bring some sack to the team... Ever since Mario Elie left, this team has become a bunch of pansies who wilt under pressure... ------------------ Check out my homepage! Loads of sports pics! http://www.public.asu.edu/~sykim/
The Dream Team barely won the gold... He had superior talent and almost blew it... Those two titles weren't by Rudy... He just didn't screw up... If you give a guy credit for not screwing up, then it shows how low your standards are... This team has the same damn problem as the last 5 seasons... Good coaches don't let team weaknesses last 5 games, much less 5 years... You guys must be bartenders who Rudy payed a handsome tip to... ------------------ Check out my homepage! Loads of sports pics! http://www.public.asu.edu/~sykim/
One face: ------------------ Charles Barkley on TBS on the "fat track" poll: "What? 47% said I'd gain more.....why those.....they better be glad this is a family show."
All of this crap about Rudy being key in the two championships, like I said a while ago, he rode the coat-tails of Hakeem, the best player in the league at the time. Lately, he's been making coaching blunders that a better coach would not make. ------------------
I agree that Tomjanovich makes questionable substitutions and is an average Xs/Os coach. However, I think he (or someone on the coaching staff), when given a time-out, calls great plays. The play of the team begins with coaching, but the problem with Houston is not coaching-related. Forget about championships, defense wins games. Horry, Drexler, Barkley, Cassell, and Elie were intelligent defensive players -- who also played well as a unit. On the current Houston team, Anderson is the only player who consistently plays solid defense. Intelligent, Defensive Players: Eddie Jones (Miami), Doug Christie (Sacramento), Brian Grant (Miami), and Scottie Pippen (Portland). ------------------ "Breaking up is hard to do...[with] everyone trying to make it a parting befitting all the professionalism that came before. Trying to find that Olajuwon graceful fade one more time." Scott Howard-Cooper (Sacramento Bee, ESPN.com) [This message has been edited by University Blue (edited February 04, 2001).]
