Rudy T as next Laker Coach?

[Chaplin]

Taken from New York Daily News, so take that for what it's worth...

L.A. mulls Rudy T. as coach





Former Houston Rockets coach Rudy Tomjanovich is emerging as a top candidate to replace Phil Jackson as Lakers coach if Jackson does not return, according to a source familiar with the Lakers' thinking.
Tomjanovich, who resigned as coach 13 months ago after being diagnosed with bladder cancer, owns a lifetime 503-397 record and coached Houston to back-to-back NBA titles in 1994 and 1995. He is regarded as a superb offensive coach who is well-liked by players and one who has first-hand experience relating to superstars, having coached Hakeem Olajuwon, Clyde Drexler, Charles Barkley and Scottie Pippen.

The Lakers believe Tomjanovich's personality would serve as a calming influence for Shaquille O'Neal and Kobe Bryant, teammates who have feuded for years. Bryant will opt out of his contract on July1 but is likely to re-sign with the Lakers.

Jackson's contract expires this summer, and after the Lakers were eliminated on Tuesday, he said the chances of him returning were "slim."

Kurt Rambis, who was Jackson's predecessor and is a Lakers assistant coach, is also a candidate for the head job. Pat Riley is a long-shot to return to Los Angeles because he is under contract for one more season with the Miami Heat and his deal includes ownership of the team.

Tomjanovich, 55, spent the past season with the Rockets as a personnel consultant and part-time scout but wants to return to coaching.


Frank Isola

 

[elindholm]

I'm not saying it would work, but I could imagine it happening. Olajuwon was the league's last dominant center, so O'Neal might be willing to accept Tomjanovich's perspective.

Something tells me the Lakers are going to gear up and try it all over again, without too many changes except in the coach's chair. O'Neal and Bryant have seen that they have to get a long at least a little in order to be successful. A new coach might be better able to take advantage of Payton's talents. Even Malone might sign back on if he thinks his knees are up to it.

After all, the players still have a lot to prove. So does Jackson, but someone has to be the fall guy, and he hasn't exactly endeared himself to the ownership anyway.

 

[Evil Ash]

Interesting.

I've also heard a few rumors that the leading candidate to replace Phil Jackson is non other than Pat Riley. I don't know how it would work with him owning part of the Heat franchise and his health issues.

Then again its that time of year where we will hear rumors of every possible situation occuring without any substantial evidence (i.e. Kobe to the Knicks) so its difficult to take any of them seriously

 

[George O'Brien]

I really can't see Riley taking on a mess like the Lakers. It's a no win. If he is successful its because he inherited a couple of super stars. If, as I expect, things continue to decline, he will be in a position no unlike what he left in Miami.

BTW, the team he put together actually did quite well, as long as he wasn't coaching it.

 

[WizardOfAz]

I disagree....I wouldn't be at al surprised if Reilly heads back to LA.