Yup, my thoughts exactly. I'm sure Yao feels a lot of personal loyalty towards Rudy, and this would make it easy for him to justify a move to the Lakers in two years.
I know what you are saying. But I want to believe that Rudy's dismissal was due to his inability to coach Francis and Co. Now Francis and Co. are gone. JVG's mission (exposing Francis's weaknesses) has been accomplished. Rudy can come back to his beloved team. I hope you realize I half--just half--joking here.
good luck to Rudy as well...but I can't help but wish to have him here...but I also think highly of Van Gundy...
good for rudy! i think he is the best fit for the lakers and is probably the only coach who could possibly convince shaq not to leave la. it will be tough, but even if malone is still there they will probably become my 2nd favorite team...cant believe i just said that. what sucks is that a yao/t-mac (lets just assume and pray that it goes thru) sqauad is built for the kind of game that would thrive under rudy t. dream/drexler II. too bad the steve for t-mac trade couldnt have gone down before rudy "resigned". than the guy might still have his job.