There has been an incredible amount of speculation surrounding Rudy T and his job prospects with the Rockets. Much has been made of his weaknesses; in response his strengths have been hailed on more than a few occasions. But while a few specific names have been mentioned as potential replacements, the issue of what we're looking for in a head coach has largely been dealt with in the negative; we don't want someone who will let Steve and Cat run the show...we don't want someone who will sit on the bench while Moochi dribbles away our offensive hopes, or Mobley jacks up another ill adivsed early shot clock jumper, or Steve throws the ball away in a seeming effort to defy the laws of physics, or Yao passes off many of the few chances he gets to take his man one on one, or Griffin stays on the perimeter, etc. You get my point. But rarely is asked the question which seems to me to be the pst pointed regarding our coaching situation: What do we want? Not what do we not want, but what are the sum abilites and qualities we are loking for in a coach? It is easy to fall into the trap of looking for someone who stands in opposition to what you feel hasn't worked; in this case a stern task-master who focuses on team ply...but that's a losing way of running an organization; you spend years trying to rectify past errors by replacing one man with his opposite, who then brings his own weaknesses...and then you replace him with his opposite, and so on. Before we decide to get rid of Rudy for what he hasn't done, let's take a close look at what we want...then look at who might best fill that criteria. So...first step; What do YOU want in the your Rockets coach? I have my own ideas, and will elaborate later...I would first like to hear others' opinions. Remember, please, I would find the question more directly answered by listing qualities we want, not by pointing out what Rudy has failed to do or what qualities he does not possess. If you want to cite examples of these qualities, fine. Also you might want to keep your list realisitic...they should be attainable in a single human being. Offensive or defensive minded? Players' coach or task master...etc. If you are citing happy compromises, cite examples. Most coaches have to lean one way or another on many of the key issues. PEACE JAG
I want Rudy back next year. Give him one more year. Its not the coach, its the players. Rudy has never given up on us, lets not give up on him.
H-Town...I'm not asking for either a defense of or attack on Rudy. I'm asking what are the qualities you feel would be best for the man who runs this particular Rockets' show to possess. Leave Rudy out of it, for now, please.
I want a coach who knows what it takes to win in the playoffs, preferably one with championship experience...one who the players support and respect, one with great character and integrity...oh wait...
List of Qualities: 1) Someone who will teach the importance of basics skills (dribbling, passing, teamwork) 2) Someone who stresses defense - forcing all our guys to play it 3) Someone that the players respect and listen to - meaning if the coach tells a player to do something the player trys to execute the play 4) Someone who will make the most out of Yao Ming - simply this guy could be unstoppable 10 ft from the basket I personally think Rudy should have been given another year to make some changes. But from the rumor mill we must look forward...
http://coachlikeapro.tripod.com/basketball/id26.html Jack Ramsey on Coaching Basketball 11. Players draw confidence from a poised, alert coach who anticipates changing in game conditions. Quotes from other coaches on coaching... http://coachlikeapro.tripod.com/basketball/id4.html
How bout a coach that not only garners the players' respect but also enforce some discipline? Rudy having great chemistry with his players is fine but what happens when one goes off and does his own thing or another guy just totally changes the play from a low post to an iso for him? Those are the times when a coach needs to get on the player.
steddinotayto, I agree we need someone who can instill some discipline. However, I have never been in favor of the Bobby Knight style of teaching. I think if a player truly has respect for the coach the coach does not need to yell in the guys face. I had this coach who was always able to teach without yelling although he did yell at his own son, who was our teammate. But when the coach talked everyone listened and they followed his lead. That my friend is a great coach.
I want a coach who can discipline......and teach.......and have a system......and is nice. A great coach! A winner! A rebuilder! I prefer a coach who was formerly a point guard....because usually point guards understand the game better and know how to run offenses. Just look at Mo Cheeks. Besides head coach......assistants are very very important. They should be good helpers. Different specialties.
i'm referring to him as in your statement bout PGs making good coaches. if you remember, magic johnson coached as well.
1. Have an offensive scheme, not 3 plays 2. Have a scheme that utilizes our players talents optimally... 3. Don't accept BS and bad habits, players benched until they learn 4. Stress defense 5. Be motivational, and a coach not a best buddy 6. Experiment and try innovative things occasionally 7. Actually try to develop players so they don't make the same mistakes over and over and OVER 8. Emphasize consistency in effort and teamwork
I would look for Rudy T but only after he been re-educated. He would have diciplin, he would insist in having only players that play the Team Game. He would have a staff of serious coaches which would include Calvin Murphy for the little men and Moses Malone for the Big Men. His game strategy would to basically play the Big Mans Game with a big emphasis on defence and a Play Book of about 30 plays.
Get real. It's always easier to lay around and dream of some magical lineup and coach. Keep Rudy. He's a Rocket from day one. You can always kick him up after this coming year if he's doesn't deliver thus keeping player locality and respect. We need one more year with the current lineup of players and coach (with minor tweaking). We only missed the playoffs by one game; otherwise all these miscellaneous comments and opinions floating around would be mute. I remember the same thing last year in anticipation of the draft. Someone had us taking that guy from Memphis as an example. Yeah, right.
no one gets this reference AT ALL. i was referring to how Magic coached the lakers for a stint and didn't pan out right. brush up on some history.
1) I don't think you get the Magic comment...It was a response to the assumption that point guards make better coaches. 2) I don't agree that making the playoffs makes the Rudy stay or go discussion mute as A) It wouldn't have changed his record this year one iota, while simultaneously meaning his replacement did better than is the case now..I don't see how that improves his standing...and if the assumption is that playoff teams don't fire coaches, B) Paul Silas was just fired today. 3) Despite above statement, this is really not meant to be a pro/anti Rudy thing. I am asking for what qualities people think would make the optimum use of our team talents. If you find the entire process of fans doing that kind of thinking as if it matters in the real world irrational, I both agree, and ask you to rationally explain fan-dom in the first place; This kind of thing is part of the irrational fun that is being a fan.
thank god someone knew what i was talking about. anyhow, i agree, Rudy isn't a bad coach..it's just that he's better suited for a veteran team. this is the first time he was work with such a young group before (even when he was an assistant). maybe that's why Riley and Jackson don't like working w/ young players because the vets know how to play.
