i assume you mean Jr. because there is no way nellie sr. is leaving dallas. There is no way we can convince the players that a first time head coach is the way to go. Since Van Gundy is probably going to Cleveland I think we are looking at some of the other currently unemployed coaches. Jeff's statements tonight suggest that he may want to use Houston to get a better deal since he's stated publicly that he wants to go to a tema that will make the playoffs, and Houston is a lot closer than cleveland to the post season. I don't want him because I don't think he'll be any more productive than Rudy was the last couple seasons... I'd like to get Brown, though I don't know why he'd come. I believe that he just loves to be loved and enjoys this talk about retiring every year so that the people in Phili will shower him with praise... Basically i'm willing to sit back and wait till a coach is declared. I'm more interested in who the coach brings with him as a staff can make or break team this young. We need guys who can really teach these young guys the game, however we decide to play it.
Leslie's making a huge mistake. However, unlike the firing and rehiring of Calvin Murphy, this one won't be so easy.
i am so sad to see rudy go. he was the heart and soul of the rockets, and im really not old enough to remember much about the rockets without rudy and the helm. rudy, good luck with the rest of your career. how about mike fratello as coach? i really like his basketball smarts.
Gotta disagree with you there. At one point, when they were asking him about what it will mean to not have Rudy as coach anyomre, Dawson said " I'm just glad that Les is doing it this way." That right there is a pretty good indicator of what's what, IMO. I assume it was a slip up, and they've decided that it being Rudy's descision ( which was probably part of it) looks better fora ll concerned...I mean, would you want to be the guy who fired an ailing but incredibly loyal Rudy T?
Thanks for the memories, Rudy. You'll be missed. Now, who's next to go? Is a whole coaching staff change out of the question?
I began watching the news conference figuring that Rudy and CD were just putting a good spin on the situation, but the longer I listened to Rudy, the more I became convinced that this was truly his decision. I know that this conflicts with all of the advanced rumors that we heard, but I just can't believe that Rudy would lie for a half hour about the situation. He seemed very sincere in saying that, although it was difficult for his competitive side to accept, he really needed to step away from the presurre of being head coach. I believe him and don't believe that anyone who listened to the entire news conference could think otherwise. This was Rudy's choice, and he made it for the right reasons.
Rudy had the desire to see the Rockets back as a potential contender even though we couldn't make the playoffs. The heart of a champion still beats in him. He guided us during the very difficult times during the championship run which will never be forgotten. I was very sad to see him getting so emotional.He is a sincere and brave man.The players should learn a lesson from him and fight hard and regroup as a team. I wish him well and pray for his health and to see him continue to be an important part of the organization. Long live Rudy T. Long live the Houston Rockets.
After hearing Rudy at the press conference, then watching the press conference on the 10:00 news.... I'm a dumbass. Good luck Rudy.
There probably WAS a good deal of action going on behind the scenes. Clearly Rudy wanted the chance to give it one more try but I firmly believe that Les decided that Rudy's time was done. The rumblings say that Les was unhappy with the lack of progress of shown by the younger players (read Francis & Griffin) but I think that he was looking the general level of fan disinterest in the team after 4 straight years out of the playoffs. Also a key thing to consider is the fact that RudyBall was ugly and non-entertaining to watch on TV much less in person. Finally, the Rockets had become stagnant under Rudy. While they have basically stood still, they have been passed by teams that were once below them in the standings (Dallas, Sacramento, Phoenix). As I have posted before on this BBS, the Rockets are moving into a new arena with virtually NO buzz whatsoever. Uncle Les has to fill 18,000+ seats plus 94 luxury boxes. That means that people have to WANT to come out to see the Rockets play. Oh, and don't forget that they will be asked to pay MORE for this "privilege" in the new arena. Something dramatic had to be done to rekindle fan interest in the team. Something had to be done to get those season ticket buyers to start ponying up for the new arena. Les wanted Rudy gone, period. If he didn't, Rudy would still be the coach. The problem he faced was how to handle the delicate PR situation of replacing Rudy T "Mr. Rocket". Today's surreal press conference reminded me of the one where Jimmy Johnson & Jerry Jones parted ways. Yes, Rudy did not want to step down. All of the great ones have trouble knowing when to it's time to move on. Rudy is no different because he is truly one of the great ones.
Good luck, Rudy. Spend less time on sports and more time on the important things in life. Here's the difference: In sports, love is not enough.
I damn near cried watching rudy's press conf. Rudy became a Rocket the same year I was born. Rudy is the heart of this franchise. It should be his team not Les'. He deserves it as much as anyone. BOOOO! Les Alexander. It seemed obvious to me Rudy didn't want to leave the bench and I can't think of a coach I'd rather have. Why do Houston Icons always have to be treated poorly in the end... Nolan Earl Moses Hakeem Rudy As a life long Houstonian, this is a sad, sad day.
Yes, he will have more time to login to his favourite BBS: Clutch BBS. Imaging what will happen when he skim the past log of the posts...
GP says we need to hire from within. Sounds like you support the Smith theory. My take: Payton is calling out Les on Rudy's move. If Les promotes one of our coaches then we can assume that Les was happy with Rudy's methods and this really was Rudy's decision. If not then we know Les is the bad guy. Nice move Gary, or am I just being seeing conspiricies everywhere? Maybe reading all the drivel on this board has gotten to me!
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GP was on the Best Damned Sports Show on fox tonight... Francis will be on the show memorial day, that should be real interesting.
Noooooo....RUDY!!!. Hope everything goes well with you from now on. Good luck at defeating the cancer. I hope I dont see ya coaching another team. Rocket for life. Good luck where ever you go. THanks for the 2 Championships RUdy T!!!!
