Alexander reluctant to let Rudy T go By JONATHAN FEIGEN Copyright 2003 Houston Chronicle Rockets owner Leslie Alexander described what he wanted in a new coach, then stopped himself. Instead of a new coach, he said, he wanted his old coach. "Unfortunately," Alexander said, "Rudy is not available." Alexander had reached an agreement Friday for Rudy Tomjanovich, the only coach he has had since purchasing the Rockets in 1993, to step down. But Alexander said he would have wanted Tomjanovich to continue to serve as the Rockets' head coach had Tomjanovich not wanted to avoid the stress. "We spoke," Alexander said. "He said, `The truth is, Les, I don't want to coach anymore. The doctors told me stress could hurt me in the long term.' " Alexander said he called Rockets general manager Carroll Dawson late last week to ask about Tomjanovich as part of his planned evaluations of the team. Alexander said he and Dawson began talking "about how to get this team going." Tomjanovich, who has been undergoing treatments for bladder cancer that was diagnosed March 18, said he decided to move into a consultant's position. He is scheduled for a second biopsy next month to determine if his six outpatient sessions removed the tumors. When asked if he would have considered a coaching change had Tomjanovich's health not been an issue, Alexander said: "No. Of course not. "I said after the season I was going to evaluate everything. When his treatments were over (May 15), I called C.D. to see how he was feeling. He said we should make Rudy part of the evaluations (process). Was it a big surprise? It surprises you. But nothing was out of the realm of possibility."
shhh, don't let them hear you implying that some people may be a little too emotional to think rationally....
If Rudy decided to retire, then why did Les & Rudy have to negotiate a deal? Does this mean that Rudy is paying Les, since this reasoning would lead one to assume that Rudy is not fullfilling his contractual agreement? Les is putting up a smoke screen. Rudy was forced out. Les didn't even have the class to show up at the press conference. This article from just a week ago doesn't even hint that Rudy was contemplating getting out of coaching. Again, Rudy was forced out! http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/sports/bk/bkn/1914558 May 17, 2003, 11:22PM Tomjanovich eager to get feeling again By JONATHAN FEIGEN Copyright 2003 Houston Chronicle Derek Fisher cried. Right there in a closeup nationally televised from Los Angeles to Rudy Tomjanovich's living room, Fisher, with three championship rings and a rich, seven-year contract in his pocket, felt the emotions rise within him and lost control. And Tomjanovich loved it. This is not to say that Tomjanovich took any particular joy in Fisher's pain or the end of the Lakers' dynasty. He, in fact, considered the delight many found in watching the Lakers' demise somewhat distasteful. But Tomjanovich, just back from a European scouting trip and checking out the playoffs on television, watched Fisher cry and was reminded again of the passion and dedication that still drives him. He might not have related Fisher's feelings Thursday night to the emotions that keep him and so many others coming back. He merely respected Fisher. But Tomjanovich had that afternoon undergone what he and his doctors hope was his final treatment for his bladder cancer. Tomjanovich did not celebrate. He really didn't feel ready to accept congratulations. In six weeks, he will undergo another biopsy to see if the six sessions of medication had removed the abnormal tumors from his bladder's lining. If his condition is as doctors expect, Tomjanovich will coach the Rockets again next season. At least that is his expectation. So he prepares for the draft, free agency and next season, and assumes little else. "Today I'm feeling good," Tomjanovich said Friday. "I had a good day at work. We did some real good stuff, crunched numbers, watched some tape. It was a positive day. I'm just trying to put good days together." Because Tomjanovich never had symptoms, he cannot say how well the treatments have worked. He feels better because he has taken care of himself so well. But a great deal must be on hold until after he gets his biopsy results this summer. "This (Thursday's completion of his treatments) is just a step," Tomjanovich said. "It's scheduled for six treatments, six weeks off, then another biopsy. That's the big day. Then a decision is made what course to take. "This isn't something I feel. I feel wonderful. I always had a pretty good diet. I improved it more. I really feel fantastic. I feel great. As far as energy and alertness, I've really been in a good mental state as far as not getting down. "It hurts when we're not in (the playoffs), especially this year with how close it was and all the things that happened. I've leveled off and have been having good meetings at work, doing tape work, stat work, some evaluating, going over numbers, debating basketball situations, trying to find ways to improve this team." Part of that was his scouting trip to Barcelona, Spain, to watch everyone from young draft-eligible players to veteran, potential free agents. He and his staff have been meeting for weeks to consider options. Though he would not say if they have reached decisions, never mind what they are, expect the Rockets to attempt to supplement the roster with established veterans, especially in the backcourt, rather than collect as many young talents as they have in recent seasons. But more than anything, Tomjanovich went back to work. He could relate to Phil Jackson, his health crisis and his feelings of rejuvenation. "It's a tough business," Tomjanovich said. "It takes its toll." And he could see the emotions on Fisher's face and look upon them with admiration. Tomjanovich probably would not allow himself to think this way yet, not until his next test results come in. But watching Fisher's emotions, he probably also missed them.
Go look at the poll. The majority believe this was more the decision of the organization (ie: Les Alexander) than RT or his doctors. "Rational thinking" backs up that conclusion.
Yes I agree Hottoddie. This is the part that bugs me the most. Why couldn't he at least have the decency to show up at the press conference. In the end the man with the more charancter than anyone else in Rockets history, put the team ahead of himself.
Just before the press conference a guy named Cary called in to 610. Said he was a close family friend to the T's and that he was very upset about the way the whole thing went down. Said he'd found out a couple days prior. Said he knew Rudy would be upset if he heard about him calling in, but that he was just so angry he had to do it. And he said people should make no mistake about it -- that Rudy was forced out, didn't want to go at all and that he was just too good a guy to say anything publicly about it. He sounded very sincere and like he knew what he was talking about. You can believe him or not. I did and the hosts clearly did as well.
It is absurd to think that Rudy actually decided to do this on his own...why didn't he just retire if this were the case? Instead, he gets moved elsewhere and Les has to pay him off...why would Les have to pay off Rudy if it were Rudy's decision? Uh...right...
If you watched the press conference, you probably noticed that Rudy looked uncomfortable sitting down. When he got up, you could clearly see that there was a foot imprint right on his ass.
