I like Rudy, but this is possibly a good thing for the Rockets.
Friday, May 23
Tomjanovich ends 12-year coaching run with Rockets
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Associated Press
HOUSTON -- Rudy Tomjanovich stepped down as coach of the Houston Rockets Friday after 12 seasons that included the franchise's first two championships, saying he would remain with the organization in another role.
Tomjanovich, who cut his season short to concentrate on fighting treatable bladder cancer, told reporters he looked forward to resuming a more normal lifestyle.
"Just to be one of the people in this city, being a soldier instead of a general for a while, I look forward to that,'' said Tomjanovich, choking back tears as he announced his decision.
"I just think at this stage, with the health situation, that the best thing is to back off and try to be just a regular guy for a while.''
Tomjanovich, appearing at a news conference with longtime friend and general manager Carroll Dawson, confirmed news reports that swirled all day about his negotiations with owner Les Alexander to take another position despite having two years and $12 million remaining on his contract.
"I'm always going to be a Rocket,'' Tomjanovich said.
"We are very blessed to have as capable a guy in this game as I know,'' Dawson said. "I am sure one day he will be in the Hall of Fame.''
Houston television station KRIV first reported the talks between Tomjanovich and Alexander.
Tomjanovich, 54, took over as the Rockets' coach midway into the 1991-92 season and compiled a 503-397 record, easily becoming the winningest of the team's nine coaches. The Rockets' championships in 1994 and 1995 were the city's first titles in a major sports league.
Only Utah's Jerry Sloan had a longer tenure among active coaches than Tomjanovich.
"I am going to work with everybody in the front office to go and try to help add some pieces to what we already have and get the Houston Rockets back on top,'' said Tomjanovich, who has concluded cancer treatments and will undergo a biopsy next month to see if the tumor is gone. "It is a good situation.''
The Rockets made Tomjanovich the second overall selection in the 1970 draft out of Michigan and he started the franchise's first game in Houston Oct. 14, 1971, after the Rockets moved from San Diego.
"Rudy T,'' as he is known to fans, quickly became one of the team's most popular players and scored 13,383 points and pulled down 6,198 rebounds in his 11-year playing career, averaging 17.4 points and 8.1 rebounds in 768 games. He last played in 1981 and the team retired his jersey the following year.
Tomjanovich also survived one of the scariest moments in NBA history on Dec. 9, 1977, when Los Angeles Lakers forward Kermit Washington blindsided him with a powerful punch that sent him crashing to the floor with shattered facial bones. Doctors later said the injuries were life-threatening, but Tomjanovich returned the following season wearing a protective mask and made one of his five appearances in the NBA All-Star game.
In all, Tomjanovich has spent all 33 years since leaving Michigan -- which also retired his jersey this year -- with the Rockets as a player, scout or coach.
This season, news of cancer on the surface of his bladder forced Tomjanovich to miss the final 17 games of a disappointing season in which Houston finished 43-39 despite having two All-Star starters, guard Steve Francis and 7-foot-6 rookie center Yao Ming.
His current contract, agreed to in 2000, was set to keep him coaching until 2005.
Friday, May 23
Tomjanovich ends 12-year coaching run with Rockets
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Associated Press
HOUSTON -- Rudy Tomjanovich stepped down as coach of the Houston Rockets Friday after 12 seasons that included the franchise's first two championships, saying he would remain with the organization in another role.
Tomjanovich, who cut his season short to concentrate on fighting treatable bladder cancer, told reporters he looked forward to resuming a more normal lifestyle.
"Just to be one of the people in this city, being a soldier instead of a general for a while, I look forward to that,'' said Tomjanovich, choking back tears as he announced his decision.
"I just think at this stage, with the health situation, that the best thing is to back off and try to be just a regular guy for a while.''
Tomjanovich, appearing at a news conference with longtime friend and general manager Carroll Dawson, confirmed news reports that swirled all day about his negotiations with owner Les Alexander to take another position despite having two years and $12 million remaining on his contract.
"I'm always going to be a Rocket,'' Tomjanovich said.
"We are very blessed to have as capable a guy in this game as I know,'' Dawson said. "I am sure one day he will be in the Hall of Fame.''
Houston television station KRIV first reported the talks between Tomjanovich and Alexander.
Tomjanovich, 54, took over as the Rockets' coach midway into the 1991-92 season and compiled a 503-397 record, easily becoming the winningest of the team's nine coaches. The Rockets' championships in 1994 and 1995 were the city's first titles in a major sports league.
Only Utah's Jerry Sloan had a longer tenure among active coaches than Tomjanovich.
"I am going to work with everybody in the front office to go and try to help add some pieces to what we already have and get the Houston Rockets back on top,'' said Tomjanovich, who has concluded cancer treatments and will undergo a biopsy next month to see if the tumor is gone. "It is a good situation.''
The Rockets made Tomjanovich the second overall selection in the 1970 draft out of Michigan and he started the franchise's first game in Houston Oct. 14, 1971, after the Rockets moved from San Diego.
"Rudy T,'' as he is known to fans, quickly became one of the team's most popular players and scored 13,383 points and pulled down 6,198 rebounds in his 11-year playing career, averaging 17.4 points and 8.1 rebounds in 768 games. He last played in 1981 and the team retired his jersey the following year.
Tomjanovich also survived one of the scariest moments in NBA history on Dec. 9, 1977, when Los Angeles Lakers forward Kermit Washington blindsided him with a powerful punch that sent him crashing to the floor with shattered facial bones. Doctors later said the injuries were life-threatening, but Tomjanovich returned the following season wearing a protective mask and made one of his five appearances in the NBA All-Star game.
In all, Tomjanovich has spent all 33 years since leaving Michigan -- which also retired his jersey this year -- with the Rockets as a player, scout or coach.
This season, news of cancer on the surface of his bladder forced Tomjanovich to miss the final 17 games of a disappointing season in which Houston finished 43-39 despite having two All-Star starters, guard Steve Francis and 7-foot-6 rookie center Yao Ming.
His current contract, agreed to in 2000, was set to keep him coaching until 2005.
