I don't think people remember how painful it was to watch Rudy's isolation offense. I'd take the new Rockets offense over that any day. I hope Rudy the best and would love for him to come back as a commentator.
As much as everyone would like Rudy to come back, I don't see it happening in the near future. He's a special man that did great things, but the writing on the wall has been written and JVG will be here for a while.
Why does everyone keep saying that Rudy's offense would be better than JVG's. Weren't we one of the lowest scoring teams in the NBA his last few seasons with the ROX? and one of the worst defensively ? If I remember right his entire playbook was 2 pages long. 1) ISO 2) Pick and Roll Neither of which is as effective now with zone defenses
Although I like the way Rudy handles Yao, I don't think rudy is a better coach than JVG. JVG may not be the best coach for Rockets, but he's better than Rudy. I still remember those unwatchable iso's, Rudy's inability to make game time adjustments. His team was so undisciplined, players just won't listen to him when game was on the line, jacking up bad shots after bad shots and Rudy basicly did nothing to stop that. Many Rox fans here use heart instead of brain, and they have a short memory. The similar thing happened with the Rox season MVP poll last year, more people voted for JJ than anyone else just because JJ played a few good games at the end of the season and more "consistent".
To iso or not to iso? That is the question. Our offense is running smoothly. I love all the movement and screens and backpicking, and the high-assist low-turnovers this offense generates is a great plus. To have the pleasure of watching that and still watch them be one of the top defensive teams in the league with players like Howard, Stickland, Barry, and Padgett who have been known as poor defenders is what makes JVG unique as a coach. He gets another year or two to take this team all the way. After that, If Rudy's well enough, he should be the first to get the call.
And I got a clutchcity video for you. 100+ point games and lots of exciting basketball until we meet the knicks in the finals.
I was one of the Rockets fans calling for Van Gundy's head after the Charlotte debacle at home in December. But the man has adjusted at the offensive end and could very well be the type of coach who can guide this team to an NBA title. And on the flip side, I was also calling for Rudy's head after the Rockets missed the playoffs for the 4th straight year in 2003. As much as it pained me to admit it at the time, his offensive playbook was weak, he rarely had his team prepared to play, and he was either unwilling or unable to discipline his players. So no, even if Van Gundy got fired or quit in the next few years, I wouldn't want Rudy back. And let's not forget the man's personnel decisions in the years leading up to his "resignation". Eddie Griffin was just bad luck, but passing up Rashard Lewis three times and handing out 6 or 7-year contracts to the likes of Moochie Norris, Matt Maloney, and Mo Taylor is inexcusable.
Get a strong power forward a top notch point guard and a starting small forward and Van Chancellor could coach the team. How about JVG's coaching ability with Rudy T's likeable personality. Hey if we get good enough players around TMac and Yao Cynthia Cooper could coach the team.
Excepting the year we lost Francis to Meniere's, Rudy T's post-Olajuwon Rockets were middle-of-the-road offensively and better than average defensively. In his last year, we were one of the top 5 or so defensive teams.
One thing that always bothered me about Rudy's systems was that we always seemed like we lived and died by the three. It seemed like every game we played, Calvin and Bill would mention this -- not something you want to rely on for an entire NBA season. I wished Rudy the best of luck and I hope it has nothing do with his health. He will always be a Rocket to me, and I will always appreciate what he has done for the organization. With that said, I don't want him going back to the Rockets, even if JVG was let go in a few years. Laker fans were calling for his resignation because they said he only had two players, ISO and pick-n-roll. Those two plays are what we were mad at him for the last 4 seasons he was a Rocket. Watching an offense with movement, screens, backcuts will ALWAYS be better than watching one-on-one, IMO of course. Obviously not to rockbox though
JVG's coaching ability is average to slightly-above-average in the NBA. RT's coaching ability is championship caliber.
Rudy's coaching ability was championship caliber with Hakeem Olajuwon in his prime. His offense was super complex- dump it into Hakeem and space the floor with 3 pt shooters. And it got more complex after Hakeem-- ISO Francis, ISO Mobley His defense was matador with Hakeem the shot blocker waiting at the rim. His defense with Francis and Mobley was fair- good
