anyone know who Van Gundy had as assistants during his NY tenure?? all i know is that ours have to go. bring in Kareem or a big man with credentials to coach Yao and an old school guy who understands the guard position to teach Steve and Mobley about looking to pass first and involve their teammates.
I have mixed emotions. Rudy is an icon of sport for me. I hope his health is good. I do not think Van Gundy is our best option. Larry Brown always improves a team significantly in the first 2 seasons. Brown teams almost always hit a plateau and then become complacent. Brown is a genius basketball teacher, but an emotional enigma. He has issues....... I would much rather Paul Silas. He did a good consistent job with lots of injuries to his best players and tragedy. I also like John Lucas. He is very good with difficult players. I am glad Bill Berry ' s name came up - he was our best assistant. The assistant coaches will be gone. I hope if CD resigns or is fired, that we avoid one of those mad traders like Dave Checketts or Bob Whitsitt. Both have spent their organizations into oblivion. I do not want to see the team gutted, but that will likely happen. Yao will probably leave for a larger market team. I hate to see our assets sold at fire sale rates. We invested so much in Steve Francis -trade wise, time and money. What a shame if all that was in vain. Rudy is good man - the highest character. I hate to see him go.....
Best sig ever, MoBalls. Thread of the year I want Larry Brown or failing that, Paul Silas. We will miss you Rudy!
When did Van Gundy become an "elite" coach? And are you assuming Rudy wouldn't be able to bring the team to the playoffs next year? I wasn't talking about the system. It's the psychological thing. And what makes you think a new system will be "most likely" a better system? Interesting you'd give the player a chance and not the coach when nobody can really prove whether the blame of this season's disappointment should be on the coach or on the player.
Common...don't be so naive. Anything and anyone different from Rudy T's "system" and Larry Smith will be better for this team. All these guys in the running for the new head coaching position in Houston have all had a chance to see what DIDN'T work. That would help them a lot in terms of different things to try that have a better chance of working. Once again...don't be so naive. We know what happened.
Exactly. It disgusts me to hear people's first reaction like that. I am not a fan of Rudy's ccoaching, but you gotta respect him for he dedicate 3+ decades to this franchise as a player and coach. I am sad to learn that he has to go in this way.
sheesh! from unbeatable to unbelievable. sigh. i was on the board of directors of the ARC, but man... this is truly a sad day. i was thinking this wouldn't happen at least until the allstar break next season. i've never seen how being a player's coach is good for your team. we'll miss you, guy.
It might not be quite as bad as it looks:- "Look for Rudy to finish out his contract with the Rockets, but seek a head coaching gig elsewhere after that." [From our Front Page]. What does this mean?
Man, I'm really depressed. Good luck, Rudy. I don't get the facination with Van Gundy... because he's on TV all the time? He's never been someone I wanted to coach the Rockets (the few times Rudy made me p***ed off enough to think about it). Brown would be terrific. Silas would be a good choice if you can't get Brown. We'll analyze this to death until we find out who it is. But I hope it's not Van Gundy.
Personally, I would prefer Silas or Cleamons before Van Gundy. Van gundy's offense is similar to what Pat Riley has run in recent yrs. With the new zone defenses, I think Van Gundy will struggle just like he did before he left the Knicks. Larry Brown is a good coach, but he's too nomadic for me. Even though he helps teams turn around, most teams he leave ar worse than what they were when he got there. Anyone remember SA and Indy.I definitely don't want Larry Smith.
The coach's job is not only to draw up offensive and defensive schemes, but to get the players to execute. Rudy failed at one of those responsibilities, regardless which. When players underachieve, they are to blame but it calls for a new coach. Lakers pre-Jackson are a good example. I'm also sad to see Rudy move on, but know it's best for all involved. Van Gundy brings: discipline, high bball IQ, strong defensive schemes. Offensive schemes are a question mark. Paul Silas brings: player-friendly, got most out of injury-prone Hornets squad, good offensive schemes. Discipline is a question mark. Brown brings: discipline, unquestioned track record, strong "teacher." Tends to have uneasy player relations (especially w/PGs - even before AI), may be running out of steam, and is trigger happy with roster moves. Fratello brings: Strong PG teacher (Mark Price, Terrell Brandon, etc), discipline. Ball-control offense would be a poor fit with the Rockets. Mike Dunleavy brings: Good offensive schemes, good player relations. Lost control of the Trailblazers and did not handle player rotations well. I'd say Les Alexander is out for a disciplinarian first and foremost. That would probably eliminate the player-friendly coaches (Silas, Dunleavy). Van Gundy is probably the front-runner. Evan
Wow! I'm shocked at how sad I feel. I knew this day would come some day, just hoped it would be after another championship run . . . I hope Rudy T's health improves and he stays with the Rox. Sad, sad day in the rockets world
If Rudy T resign, does the addition of Yao has anything to do with it? I think the addition of Yao might cost Rudy's job. I feel bad for Rudy, he has done the best for the franchies, and major contribution of drafting Yao.
all this jeff van gundy talk!?! what about Paul Silas ? a person that seems mild mannered but will put an end to a starting cat, and will put the ball where it need to be. Thanks for the memories Don Chaney !!! I mean Rudy T who did what he was suppose to do. win with the team DC built.
It occurs to me that this will be the first time we will have the opportunity to see Les Alexander in the same situation as we have seen Uncle Drayton and Jerry Jones more than a few times - showing us, the fans, exactly what his level of commitment to winning is. Last time this Rockets franchise had a head coaching vacancy, an inexperienced assistant was elevated to the top spot. Worked out well, obviously, but it doesn't give us much of a track record. McLane and Jones have been too meddlesome, and sought out coaches who were either cheap or inexperienced as well. Losing was the result. (and Dierk should have been in the World Series at least 2 of those 5 years, so I still consider him ultimately a failure as a 'coach') But what about Les? Les has shown that he was willing to listen to his basketball people. He has shown the willingness to spend some $ when necessary, according to the hoops authorities. He has not meddled in the innner machinations of the team, for the most part. Also, consider the fact that it appears that he has made the decision to remove the most popular coach in this city's history, the only major sport coach to ever bring us a champion. He is not doing it to save money. He is doing it because he is moving the team into a new arena, and wants to move in a winner. So, my gut feeling is that he won't settle for middle-of-the-road, B-level coaching candidates. Silas? nah. Van Gundy? Balky? Nah, I just can't see it. The only guy for the job is Brown. Just like Les watched McLane bring in Jimy, and Jones brong in Parcells, and even the big moves up on College Station, I believe Les will only be interested in the top-shelf product, and that product is Larry Brown. Larry Brown is the only guy who fits the bill as an obviously superior replacement for Rudy T. Silas isn't and Balky isn't. I am now officially crossing all my fingers, toes, and assorted other body parts in the hopes that I am right. Please, bring on LB. In any case, we will all find out exactly how much Les really wants to win. ciao
I'm with Rimmy and HeyPartner I'm really sad about this. It's like having a favorite uncle pass away. And any dreamcasting I do starts and ends with a Francis trade. He's just a slightly better Mobley (and not at everything) for more than twice the price.
WOW! As much as I like and respect Rudy, the time for change has come. Now we have something to look forward to next season. Definetely a bold move and a show of commitment to winning from Les. I have to say that I was afraid that after he got the new arena, winning woulnd't be that high on his list. Shame on me. Rudyball just wasn't getting the job done. Bring on Brown and Van Gundy and let's hope for a great future. All the luck in the world to Rudy!
