HOUSTON -- The Los Angeles Lakers have contacted former Houston Rockets coach Rudy Tomjanovich regarding their now-vacant coaching position, a Houston television station reported Saturday. "I have been contacted and I am interested in discussing things with the Lakers and hearing what they have to say," Tomjanovich said in a statement through his business manager to television station KRIV. Tomjanovich was contacted Friday, the station reports. Phil Jackson, one of the most successful coaches in NBA history, won't return in that capacity with the Lakers next season, the team said Friday. The heavily favored Lakers lost to the Detroit Pistons in the NBA Finals, ruining their attempt at a fourth championship in five years. A call made to the Rockets was not immediately returned Saturday. A spokesman for the Lakers would not comment on the report. Tomjanovich, who resigned as Rockets head coach during the 2002-03 season after being diagnosed with cancer, is under contract to Houston for two more years. http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=1824988
Also here: http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/sports/bk/bkn/2636970 Rudy T meets with Lakers to discuss coaching job By JONATHAN FEIGEN Copyright 2004 Houston Chronicle Rudy Tomjanovich, the former Rockets coach and one of the most popular figures in Houston sports history, agreed today to meet with the Lakers to discuss succeeding Phil Jackson as Lakers coach. Tomjanovich issued a brief statement on Saturday confirming that he would look into the position. "I have been contacted and am interested in discussing things with the Lakers and hearing what they have to say," Tomjanovich said. Details have not been completed, but Tomjanovich will meet with Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak either Monday or Tuesday in Los Angeles. Tomjanovich, 55, resigned as Rockets coach a year ago to treat bladder cancer. With treatments successful, he had planned to sit out at least two full seasons before considering a return to coaching. A Rockets personnel consultant last season, Tomjanovich worked as a scout and said he enjoyed that position. But he also said several weeks ago that he would be willing to listen to teams interested in talking to him about a return to coaching. Tomjanovich, 503-397 in 12 seasons as Rockets coach, had more than twice the wins of any other Rockets coach (Bill Fitch was 216-194 with the Rockets) and led the Rockets to two NBA championships. He, Chuck Daly and Lenny Wilkens are the only coaches to have led teams to NBA and Olympic championships. In 11 seasons as a Rockets player, he averaged 17.4 points and 8.1 rebounds and was a three-time All Star. The Rockets retired his No. 45 in 1982. Though Tomjanovich has been hesitant to return to coaching, the Lakers' struggles in the Finals might make the job more attractive. Rather than coaching a team still expected to dominate, he would take over a team looking for changes. Sources said former SuperSonics and Bucks coach George Karl, and current Lakers assistants Jim Cleamons and Kurt Rambis are also on the short list for the LA job. Miami president and former Lakers coach Pat Riley could get a call.
Les will save 10mil if Rudy goes to LA and possibly might be willing to spend a little extra on the Team.
Why would RT be interested if there's a chance KB won't resign? Even if KB resigns, they are extremely thin. If the Lakers couldn't win with Shaq/Kobe, then how will they win with just Kobe alone. RT can do better.
I Love Rudy and wish him all the best wherever he lands. It'll automatically become my second favorite team (well as long as he doesn't go the Jazz or Spers).
I love Rudy T, and would love to see him coaching again. But no way in hell do I want him on the Laker Bench.
I am assuming that this is the case because he is still under contract. Is the NBA like the NFL regarding coaches that are still under contract? Will the Lakers have to give up some kind of compensation, such as a draft pick?
Very good question... I thought Rudy's official capacity however was as a "consultant". I don't know if they'd have to give up compensation for that since he's not technically a coach.
Everybody please restrain your partisanship. Rudy proved to be a great coach for great veteran players, not for rebuilding. I love the guy, but he'll do better in L.A. than he would in Houston, and we'll do better without him. It's a win-win. Except when we play them.
I have been reading this forum for a while now(a few years). I never really post replies, I just like to see everybody's view on the rox. But a month or so ago I had to post a thought I have had for a while, that was a bit discomforting to me. I started to realize that Rudy was the obvious replacement for the Lakers future coaching vacancy, so when I saw a thread about Rudy possibly coaching again I had to get the thought off my chest. To see my prediction unfolding is frightening. I have always been a big Rudy fan, even when he was struggling with coaching more inexperienced rookies instead of veterans with great work ethic. But I am pretty torn right now envisioning Rudy on a Bench that is not the Rox. I know it is kind of crazy that my only three threads I have ever posted are on the same subject but I don't like to get caught up with all this YAO ONLY or I HATE SF3 crapola. I am just a die hard Rox fan. If any person encompasses what the rockets represent it is Rudy T. And we are on the verge of seeing him in another teams colors for the first time in his professional career. It is just a strange thought. Being that I truly wish Rudy the best in whatever he chooses to do, I will pull for him wherever he goes, but it is going to be tough seeing it. Well, here is my original post from 5/18/04 if anybody wants to see it again. http://bbs2.clutchfans.net/showthre...30&pagenumber=2
the NBA does not have those r****ded-A$$ NFL rules for coaches... if the guy is under contract, but not an active coach - ususally there is a buy out - they keep the players (i.e the draft) protected from all of it
It would be a good fit for Rudy, if he gets to coach the Lakers with both Kobe and Shaq, he could get them back to championship form.
Well said Will. This is a no brainer because I consider RudT a top flight coach. A top calibre team like the Lakers, Mavs, Kings, Knicks is what I would hope and wish for him. I conjured the scenario a week or two ago not because I am a seer but rather is the only no brainer move LA could make to replace Phillip which for a long time now we new he was as good as gone after the playoffs. With him signing (potentially), I am almost sure that Shaq will most likely stay in LA because RudyT is a player's coach and Shaq and Kobe will hopefully enjoy playing for him. Here is wishing RudyT all the best.
Cassell, Horry, Maxwell, and Smith were not veterans when Rudy took over, not any moreso than Francis and Mobley when Gundy took over the Rockets. He DID prove to be a great coach for 'rebuilding', winning 45 in a rebuilding effort in '01. Who wins that many while rebuilding? Nobody. Was Gundy rebuilding last year? 'Cause that's all the wins he could muster- therefore I must question the 'we'll do better without him' comment.
