I'm not really sure if you are agreeing with me or mocking me, but I'll just add on to my previous questions. Lets say Rudy did approach Les about stepping down. This seems like a simple thing to do, "Les, the stress is killing me, I need to take some time off and retire." Did Les then say, "Wait Rudy, let me pay you some money to leave!" I find that hard to believe... Or did Rudy say "Les, I'll leave if you pay me off." That doesn't seem like something Rudy would do. So can someone explain to me how something like this works...how can Rudy initiate this and then force Les into paying him off? It seems fairly clear to me that this was at least initiated by Les and not Rudy. I want someone who actually believes that Rudy is the one that wanted out to explain to me why Les is forced to pay off a guy that wants to quit.
It's called a contract. Both parties know that one isn't leaving without some kind of payment. So Les' options are either call Rudy's "bluff" and get stuck with the coach who has told you he isn't giving his all, or negotiate a settlement. I'm not saying this is or isn't what happened, but it is just as likely as any scenario.
I think knowing the type of person Rudy is makes it more likely that he was forced out than he was trying to trick the owner to coughing up some extra money on his way out. The man's worked for the organization for 30 plus years, I find it very hard to believe he'd try to milk the owner on his way out without being forced to leave. Rudy's a class guy, if he wanted to quit, I'm positive he would have just retired...he just comes off as an honorable guy to me...
I consider myself an honorable guy. In fact, I know a lot of people who are honorable guys who would still negotiate a settlement. I thas nothing to do with honor. I agree that this was most likely a mutual decision, but I dont think you can look at the fact that Rudy got paid to leave and draw conclusions from it. {blank} million dollars is still {blank} million dollars.
Calvin Murphy was fired when Les originally took over the Rocket's. He was gone for a couple of weeks, but the public backlash was so severe, that he was brought back. Hope that helps.
It's not like Rudy is completely gone from organization. He's still working for Les, and if he's working for Les, he needs to be compensated.
None of those matters. Les swallowed 12 millions to save the team. Les means business. Les isn't a fool hampered by some old school love and money issues. Hats off to Les.
BGM, You make a great case. I would have to say that, at this point, here's how I see it: Rudy: Les, I know you're evaluating. I'd love to coach the Rockets, but I don't think I could give 100% and stay healthy. Les: Rudy, you're right. We've been pals forever. Me and you, 2 rings baby. I think the best thing for us is to let me hire a new coach, to keep you in the organization, and give the Rockets players what they deserve, and that's a coach who's main concern is the team. What do you say I move you upstairs? Rudy: Sure. Let's negotiate my new contract... Les: Well, how about this idea...We settle your contract, I give you the part of it that you deserve for being a front office guy, and we let go of the part that is set aside for the Rockets head coach? -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Basically, I'm not saying it DIDN'T happen the way you're saying it. I'm just saying we don't know. What we do know is that there were no ugly remarks, and the general public felt that a new coach could be beneficial to the team. Rudy T is still part of the Rockets staff, is making the money he earned or will earn, and we have our new coach. I'll be 100% honest. I could've have planned it any better.
heypartner:- I voted for you as my most respected poster. I just cant accept what you are saying about Les. Houston is an International City. Its hardly American, never mind Southern. Your frame of mind paints a picture that could of been that of a 19th Century Southern Gentleman. I know this is a very sad time and a time for reflection but we must collect ourselves and return to reality as soon as possible. We all will miss Rudy T, he is a favourite personality and nobody can replace our Rudy T! Les Alexander is a man with a strong will, and is in the process of righting problems that need to be taken care of, for sundry reasons. It is unfair to allow our grieving to put all the blame on Les for all the aggravating happenings that have occured over the years. IMHO Speedy recover to you Heypartner! Texas is a great place for sure!!
Les the Yankee? What the hell does that have to do with anything? What's next... Steve the black, Boki the slav...
what about...Rice the rocket, ricerocket?? yeah, that makes us all mad, too. sheesh, dude...do you like the way Les is handling the team or not. And yes, he question is if he is a greedy carpetbagger....notice he was in south florida for the firing....He'll tell you that in person...it is his job.
Rice the Rocket is a ficticious person. That moniker is in no way meant to reflect actual persons or events... Rudy stepping down was difficult all the way around. Les being from NY and going along with Rudy from Detroit stepping down... Let it stay between the Yankees... just kidding
I will defend Les, and although I did criticize Rudy's coaching this year, I thought we should have kept him one more year. I am not hugely pro-Les, but I don't see many reasons to think he is a bad owner. 1. Raising ticket prices- who doesn't? 2. Threatening to move the team- I never took it seriously, and yeah, everyone does that too. 3. Hakeem Olajuwon- he was way past his prime, and it was about time for him to go. Les bungled some things, but it didn't make much of a difference in the end. Hakeem still wanted to be the center of the offense. I wanted Hakeem to stay, but I have to admit losing Hakeem at the tail end was not the biggest loss. 4. Rudy is removed- I can't argue with this decision. Last season was a joke. All in all, Les has run the Rockets pretty much by the book (except for firing Calvin, that was weird). I don't see anything that would make me think he was a horrible owner, unlike previous Astros or Oilers owners, whose integrity and honesty and cheapness were all in question. He's got a big pocketbook, he stays out of the limelight, that's all I can ask of an owner.
jim jones was the crazy religious nut who poisoned all his followers w/ kool-aid in a mass suicide ritual... not sure if he was the cowboys owner at any point though.
