I believe your story, but I doubt your source has any idea what he's talking about. 1. As formerly stated, Hakeem started almost every game he was healthy that year. 2. I think it was pretty well known that Maloney was dating Rudy's daughter, not Les'. 3. If I recall correctly, Maxwell DID start one or two games with Clyde at the '3'. He was injured the majority of that regular season after they brought in Clyde. He came in off the bench in Game 1 '95 against the Jazz and nonchalantly jacked up an off balance jumper at the buzzer for the loss. He and Rudy had a shouting match in the lockerroom hallway after the game where Rudy basically asked him to leave the team. 4. Your source said Rudy decided to go with Mario Elie at the '3' in lieu of Clyde? Mario didn't crack the starting lineup until the middle of the '95 Western Conference Finals against the Spurs. I'm not doubting your story. I'm just sure this guy is still pretty disgruntled about being let go and obviously still has it in for the organization as evidenced by his comments about Rudy and McGrady.
When info like this comes down the grape vine there's often a surprising amount of truth in it. I hope what he said about T-Mac's back is wrong or the Rockets are in trouble. I wouldn't doubt JVG has worn on some of his players and this could be his last year to do something before he's shown the door.
Gene Peterson was on SportsRadio 610 this morning and, when asked about TMac's back, he said everything is fine and is looking forward to him having a great season to show everyone he is still an elite player. No offense, but I'd take the word from Mr. Peterson on local radio over anything you post here from a 'source'.
I agree with just about everything here, but Elie started with the Phoenix series when Chucky Brown was not able to contain ...well, ... the other Chuck. I don't doubt that Maxwell was asked to leave because of the way that game 1 ended. However, I wouldn't have expected a better shot in that game 1 as time was running out and Maxwell has had his share of heroics for the Rockets. I just really don't know about some of this stuff. I can't even imagine who in the Rockets roster are still around for him to evaluate the stuff on T-Mac or Yao. It sounded like he was pretty disgruntled. I actually went as far to do a bio check on all the players under Chaney as of this moment.
no offense but, even though Gene Peterson is a Houston and Houston Rocket Legend, he's not a credible medical source either.
If you want credible medical sources, then ask the doctors. Neither my source nor Peterson can speak about TMac's back. If anyone works at Memorial Hermann or knows anyone doctors there, then ask for the back specialist there. He's the only one who'd be able to tell you.
Actually, I vividly remember Rudy prior to the Spurs game announcing to either Bill or NBA on NBC that there would be a change in the starting lineup with Horry moving to the '4'. I don't think he was asked to leave necessarily for that shot. It was just the last in a lot of things that had been building up. I remember thinking "wtf was that!?" though at the time of the shot.
candlegreen: also, if you recall, chucky brown was able to stay in the starting lineup even though horry switched off onto barkley because the suns started both A.C. Green and Barkley at the forwards. Barkley was essentially the small forward on that team after Danny Manning went down and pre-Michael Finley.
whaaaa, Macej Lampe and Kieth Bogans lost their power struggle within the Rockets? Man I thought those two would be real coach killers....
True, but you know that he is around the team and talks to people in the know all the time. I mean, it's his job. I'm not totally disregarding these things. I'm just saying that two people are saying opposite things about a subject and I'm going to choose to believe one over the other based on credibility. Gene Peterson has that, guy I don't know posting info coming from some unknown person, not so much.
I agree with Rudy screwing up the Franchise, but also CD had a helping hand. I agree with the Rockets being screwed in terms of winning a championship. It want happen with CD as GM.
I believe the OP. I also agree with the cabbage that the source probably has some bad information despite his connections. Either that or there or were some misunderstandings somewhere along the way. Vernon stopped starting, but his minutes actually went up after Clyde came here even though he didn't start. So it wasn't a matter of Vernon's PT being reduced to just 5 min. Anyway it is interesting to hear the insight even if I don't take it as gospel. Thanks for the post.
Can we work in a Malik Badiene statement somewhere in this post so Ill-Skillz can get a post in? He's been kind of quiet lately.
