What is it about Rudy that makes him a good coach? Many says it's not his Xs and Os. What did he do . .that Don chaney could not do with basically the same team . . .that made one a champion and the other a Also ran to Me . . RUDY gets the most out of mediocre talent the flip side. .is sometimes i think he does not get the most out of great talent. his philosphy on basketball . . his game plan does not seem overly complicated. Rocket River
I like Rudy and think he is pretty good at all phases of the game. There are many facets to being a head coach, but I think the top three are x's and o's, motivating players, and recognizing talent/using it correctly. I think Rudy is tereffic at recognizing talent. And I think he uses palyers to their best advantage. More on best use in the next paragraph. I think he motivates well, but in the long run, not the short run. I think a guy like Pat Riley is the best short tem motivator in the league, but he burns his players out. Rudy creates an atmosphere where players want to be, then work to stay there. He trains and brings players along. He treats the players like men. I see x's and o's as his weakest part. He is ok at this area, but does not excell as he does in the other two, in my opinion.
Actually the main thing that makes Rudy a good coach is that he gets the players to believe in him. One that is achieved they will do what he asks of them.
Just look at the past few seasons. Other than Steve and Cat, he basically didn't have much to work with. The fact that they missed the playoffs by 2 games 2 years ago is proof by itself. Last year, they must have had a jillion different starting lineups, finished with only 30-something wins, but the attitude in the clubhouse is still good. Everyone still believes in the team and the coach. With today's spoiled and overpaid athletes, the fact that Rudy keeps everything together is impressive. It isn't always about W's and L's that make a good coach. I think he will be rewarded this year for the past few years of headaches. Good things come to good people (like the #1 pick in the draft!)
Specifics have been mentioned,but I think one thing that I see as a constant is his ability to get a a team to peak at the right time.He knows how to handle a season and his team's are often playing their best basketball at the end unless the injury bug has hit us.
Charisma, loyalty, and a keen eye for exploiting talent. He's not really personal with his players, but he lets them have their own space. Sometimes it backfires with stars with super egos, but for the most part, it's okay. I wish he'd rein in a little more on the discipline and master his ability to adjust on the fly.
Notice that when players leave Houston, and go to another team, that's it no more production from them in the league... Rudy know hows to evaualte talent and how to motivate it. Rudy does enough to make them look good to the rest of the league and help the Houston Rockets, but if the individual player trys to test the market and the other poor coaches and poor organizations, they are doomed. That is probably why Kenny Thomas does not want to leave Houston. Kenny knows that Rudy knows how to use him.
all I hear other players say in interviews and magazines is how he treats them like men. there's mutual respect for player and coach. if i was a basketball player, rudy would definately be the coach i would want to play for.
It seems that a few years ago, there was a poll. A number of NBA players were asked if they had to choose a coach to play for, who would it be? I think Jerry Sloan was first and Rudy second. Both are players' coaches. That attribute isn't replaceable and is why Rudy's job is secure (well at least one of the reasons). Besides, if you were going to replace him, who would you do it with?
He knows what he wants and he gives it time to develop. I've heard his offense compared to "picking a scab until it bleeds". I would have to say that Rudy knows how he wants his players to play and he doesn't waver from that vision. I would also say that one of his flaws is that he won't waver from that vision. You'll see him stick with a player who is in a MAJOR slump because he knows that when things come together the way he wants, it will work. Take Walt Williams for example. When his game is on, the Rockets look incredible. When it is off, Rudy refuses to bench the guy. I think in this situation Rudy saw more potential in Walt than what he could get out of him, but the idea was right... it just never panned out. As a result, our record probably has suffered some. I think that his worst quality is that his style of basketball puts a lot of stress on the players (physically and mentally). Part of the reason that the Rockets have so many injuries is because he develops a "backs to the wall" philosophy among his players. He allows them to motivate themselves (which doesn't always work so well) and then makes them dig their way out of the hole they fall into. Rather than promote a good regular season mentality, or a calm & collected mentality the Rockets are always sinking into a hole, or digging their way out of a hole. This is where Phil Jackson has Rudy beat hands down. He really encourages his players to control the game all the way through. It makes them more consistent in the regular season, more consistent during a game, and prevents injuries because they don't seem to be stretching themselves to the breaking point all the time. They don't need to be behind to play well, and they don't need to throw themselves into emotional turmoil to play well. I pretty much know how Nachbar will be used by Rudy based on guys we have had with similar skills. Just look at Walt Williams, Scottie Pippen, and Mario Elie to see. It will be interesting to find out how he will incorporate Ming into the team.
Rudy doesn't believe in grading or motivating players. He believes in identifying players who are motivated and putting them together to build chemistry. He's the kind of cook who tosses in a little of this or that instead of using a recipe and a measuring cup. When it works, it works. When it doesn't, it doesn't. The vets of the mid-90s -- Olajuwon, Drexler, Barkley -- benefited from Rudy's hands-off style. The youngsters of the current Rockets are not benefiting from it, in my opinion. Rudy has let them run the show, and they have run it foolishly. They're talented, they're energetic, they're enjoying themselves, and they have a sense of ownership about the team, but they're young and foolish owners. Their comments about Yao, Odom, and various unremarkable players they wanted in this draft illustrate the point.
Rudy has well rounded skills, having been a player, a scout, and an assistant coach before becoming a head coach. He has championship experience, pulled the trigger on big trades, and has the security to work from a long-term base. Going to the next step, I think he is about as close to an "assistant GM" as one can be. Completely different issue; Doctor Robert I enjoyed your post and I think you made several good points. I certainly share your opinion that Walt is inconsistent. I know why you want to sit him, but who would you put in? I think that is why we are grasping at straws like Glen Rice.
Long term with any coaches is the key. Most coachs around the league, do not have the advantage to looking too long term, due to their job stability and fan stability. Rudy has earned that and still uses it to his advantage instead of still around and riding out his tenure.
