According to Sportsradio 610 KILT, Rudy T. will be meeting with press at 10:30 tommorow. No further details. Shootaround for the team is still scheduled 11 - noon
I bet he is going to answer all the questions about his health so it doesn't become a distraction during the game.
i hope its just to clear everyones minds, and fade all of the talk of him possibly being out for the rest of the season. actually i hope it goes something like this: Reporter: Rudy? what exactly is going on with you're condition and when can we expect you back? RT: Thats not why i called this press conference. i wanted to warn shaq, kobe and phil, that they are in for an ass whoppin tonight. and to the rest of the league.....you're next!
Hope he's doing better. It'd be nice if he's there to annouce he's fully recovered. I'm afraid that's not it, though... since I think Rudy's the type of guy who'd just fade back to doing his job. He's never been one to want the limelight.
Charlie Palilo kept making a big deal out of the time of the press conference saying that it was odd that the press conference BEFORE the shootaround instead of after. The fact is the Rockets interviews are ALWAYS before shootaround. I'm guessing they expected a lot of media there: A. For Rudy B. For the Lakers game and figured it would be best to have an "official" press conference. I don't think it's going to be big deal...but I've been wrong before.
Smith coach for remainder of season, Rudy to return next? If that, then what becomes of LS? I like the whupping idea better.
I am really concerned now- for Rudy. I have a feeling Larry might take over for the next few weeks at least.
I still think he is coming back. I believe if he were NOT coming back he would have told his team Tuesday. I think it would be too much of a distraction to to tell them right before shootaround preparing for the Lakers. This is my guess.
Just posted on chron.com. Let's all hope for the best, and pull for Rudy. Rudy T weighing decision to return this season Mix of coaching, treatment top factor By JONATHAN FEIGEN Copyright 2003 Houston Chronicle Suddenly, a game against the three-time defending champion Los Angeles Lakers and the spectacle of another showdown between Yao Ming and Shaquille O'Neal did not inspire the Rockets to renewed levels of breathless anticipation. Rather than contemplate the first reunion of O'Neal and Yao at Compaq Center tonight, the Rockets have turned their thoughts increasingly toward reuniting with Rudy Tomjanovich, unsure whether he will coach them again this season. With his first treatments for superficial bladder cancer scheduled for next week during a six-day Rockets road trip, Tomjanovich called a morning news conference for today and will meet with his players for the first time since they left for last week's five-game trip without him. "It will be good just to see him and hear what he has to say and take whatever (news) he has to give us," forward Maurice Taylor said. "This is the longest that we haven't seen him. If he needs to be out for the rest of the year, he will have to do whatever he can for his health, and we'll have to do what we can about these last games. "We're definitely thinking about it. But we're not thinking about him as a coach. We're thinking about him as a person. Basketball is secondary. We want to make sure he's all right. Getting back to the team is secondary, as long as he is all right." Rockets players said they have been wondering if Tomjanovich will tell them this morning whether he is ready to coach again or perhaps might not be back this season. When the Rockets left town nine days ago, they had just beaten the Suns but were stunned by Tomjanovich's emotional locker room announcement that he would undergo a biopsy the next day on his bladder. No matter what is said today, the Rockets said they were looking forward to hearing it. "We haven't seen him in like nine days," guard Steve Francis said. "It will be good just to say, `What's up?' to the captain. We know he's watching all our games, watching our progress, watching what we're doing and how we're doing it. We want to be able to just see him and talk to him." Tomjanovich's intention was to return to the bench as soon as his recuperation allowed. When it became clear last week that he would not be able to join the team on its road trip, Tomjanovich told assistant Larry Smith to coach the team as if it were his own, rather than as a stand-in. Smith became more assertive as the trip progressed. And with the fluke of the schedule, Tomjanovich, 54, had time to step back and consider his treatment and coaching. "The next step is formalizing his treatment schedule," Rockets team physician Dr. Jim Muntz said. "He sounds relaxed and in a good mood. He sounds optimistic. He sounds really good. He sounds positive. "He's assessed everything. He's comfortable with his treatment. I feel comfortable he will be compliant with any and all of his treatments. He's come to terms with all this. `I'm going to give it my best shot, like I would with basketball.' " With the treatments scheduled to last six weeks, Tomjanovich faces decisions about returning to the bench, possibly tonight, and working his treatments around the Rockets' schedule or having Smith coach the rest of the season. Tomjanovich could postpone any decision until after he begins the treatments and assesses whether he can coach or travel after the procedure. "We do not know what he will say," Rockets trainer Keith Jones said. "Everybody responds differently. We talked about a lot of things -- physical and emotional things he's doing. A few days ago, I would have been up-and-down with what he's going to do. As he gets more comfortable with himself and the more information he gets, I think he's going to be fine." The time away from the team might have been ideal. The uncertainty Tomjanovich felt when he last spoke to his players has been replaced by a diagnosis and a treatment plan. He said he felt many emotions that night, including "fear." A week later, Smith said Tomjanovich sounded, of all things, "perky." "He sounded like his old self," Smith said. "He was real perky. It made me feel real good. I think it will be a good time to talk to the guys, let them know what his plans are. We'll take it from there. But I think we're all looking forward to seeing him." Still, there was concern about whether Tomjanovich would be able to coach again this season. But the concern was more about how he would feel than with how the team would get by without him. "It would be something for us to deal with," forward Glen Rice said. "But just to see him Wednesday will be good for him and for us. When the day comes for him to get treatments will be another sad day for the players. It's not an easy treatment. But he's going to be strong. We have to be strong for him. "It will be a relief to see that he's up and about and being strong. And it will just be good to see him again."
Does anybody think it was a coincidence that Dunleavy was sitting courtside at the Clippers game? I hope nothing but the best for Rudy, but do the Rockets think Larry Smith can take this team into the playoffs? Would it not make more sense to bring in somebody with some NBA coaching experience? If not Dunleavy, then perhaps Lucas or ?
Not for this year. No way. BTW - Dunleavy was Rudy and Calvin's teammate. I hope he is NOT ever a replacement here. (I hope if/when Rudy leaves he is HEALTHY!!!).
