View Full Version : Rudy T Leaves Lakers
epicSocialism4tw
02-01-2005, 01:13 PM
Looks like things just got worse for Kobe:
Updated: Feb. 1, 2005, 4:04 PM ET
ESPN.com news services
Rudy Tomjanovich will step down as coach of the Los Angeles Lakers after tonight's game against the Portland Trail Blazers, sources told ESPN The Magazine's Ric Bucher.
His health, although not a relapse of bladder cancer, and dissatisfaction with the way the Lakers are playing contributed to the decision, sources told Bucher.
Tomjanovich missed Sunday's game because of a stomach virus, and did not attend practice on Monday.
Assistant coach Frank Hamblen will become the interim coach.
The Lakers hired Tomjanovich on July 10, replacing Phil Jackson. They are 23-19, in seventh place in the Western Conference.
Tomjanovich left the coaching ranks over a year earlier to fight bladder cancer. He previously coached the Houston Rockets for 12 seasons, winning NBA championships in 1994 and 1995.
"It's just excitement, nothing but excitement," Tomjanovich said about his return. "It's a positive. I've been like a young school boy since this has happened. At times I haven't gotten to sleep, but it's not anxiety. It's excitement."
After losing to the Detroit Pistons in the NBA Finals, the Lakers ended their successful partnership with Jackson and traded Shaquille O'Neal to the Miami Heat.
FADERPROOF
02-01-2005, 01:31 PM
Poor Lakers :(
(I tried saying that with a straight face.)
Master___Pain
02-01-2005, 01:36 PM
Poor Lakers :(
(I tried saying that with a straight face.)
What a bummer, poor Kobe. I hope the lakers go in a tailspin. He's run off two coaches and the most dominant player ever (arguably). Idiot.
epicSocialism4tw
02-01-2005, 01:37 PM
Boy it just doesn't end for them. Well, you have your ups...then you trade an all-time great...then you have your downs.
Local radio said this story is premature.
TheManeMan
02-01-2005, 02:09 PM
They were talking on the radio here in LA about how Rudy T for the past few weeks or so would ride on the reporters team bus instead of with the players bus, because he couldnt stomach some of the antics from the players...That says a lot right there I think...
Tredici
02-01-2005, 02:43 PM
I was astonished when Rudy T accepted that job. For all intents and purposes he sounded like he didn't want to coach again after leaving the Rockets. His heart and soul was in that team.
epicSocialism4tw
02-01-2005, 02:45 PM
They were talking on the radio here in LA about how Rudy T for the past few weeks or so would ride on the reporters team bus instead of with the players bus, because he couldnt stomach some of the antics from the players...That says a lot right there I think...
Man...it was that bad?
Jason in LA
02-01-2005, 03:49 PM
Poor Lakers? This is the best news out of the Lakers that I've heard in awhile. Rudy wasn't doing a good job. I'm excited now.
missingnumber7
02-01-2005, 03:58 PM
How much does Phil want to come back to coach the Knicks now:) Also...wouldn't really supprise me to see them take a look at Henry Bibby again.
TheManeMan
02-01-2005, 04:21 PM
Man...it was that bad? Apparently it was...but, its not the main reason why Rudy is stepping away from coaching I suppose...It's really a health issue, although not as severe as when he was fighting bladder cancer, he has some kind of virus...I heard again on the radio earlier, that no kind of announcement will come out of LA until tomorrow at the earliest...Rudy T wont be on the sidelines as the Lakers play against Portland tonight...(due to the illness obviously)...
epicSocialism4tw
02-01-2005, 07:29 PM
I heard this evening that it was some kind of stress induced illness. I know that that is speculation at this point, but interesting nonetheless.
The RUDY T press confernce is on local TV now. He is stepping down, It is health related ONLY. He is staying with the team for 2 years as a consultant. Nothing to do with the BS some haters are posting. Not players, not Kobe not ownership. He said he just became mentally consumed with coaching and being the best he could be and has been worn out by it. He calls the Laker organization his family and looks forward to the challenges the future brings with the team. As of now no coach has been named
E$PN local radio station here in LA had on Tex Winters as a guest, Tex is the master of the triangle offense behind Phil Jackson. Tex said that he and Phil Jackson had a talk just a week or 2 ago about this Laker team and the triangle and he said that this Laker team would be alot better than last years team exicuting the triangle offense. He said this Laker team has alot more "atheletes" and that while Shaq was the focal point of the Triangle, Shaq never really liked it and never was that great at it. Funny thing is that Phil and Tex are talking about this team and makes me wonder if he is indeed interested in returning to the Lakers. Kobe said last night that he and Phil are fine and all of the local guys (radio hosts) are really thinking there is a good chance that Phil will be back. Jeanne Buss... Owners daughter and executive Vice President of the Lakers is the next guest on the E$PN station.
MajikMan7
02-02-2005, 07:31 PM
I feel so bad for those Lakers.
clintonwho
02-02-2005, 07:34 PM
lakers suck. no matter who the coach is, they will still suck in all 82 games. the only one who will make this team good is George Karl.
MajikMan7
02-02-2005, 08:02 PM
I wonder how many women Kobe has raped in his time off for his injury?
epicSocialism4tw
02-02-2005, 08:03 PM
lakers suck. no matter who the coach is, they will still suck in all 82 games. the only one who will make this team good is George Karl.
I am hoping that that was sarcasm :kiddingme
MajikMan7
02-02-2005, 08:05 PM
I am hoping that that was sarcasm :kiddingme
That couldn't have been sarcasm, thats FACT.
epicSocialism4tw
02-02-2005, 08:20 PM
That couldn't have been sarcasm, thats FACT.
Sure...just keep telling yourself that :loopy:
Tredici
02-03-2005, 07:15 AM
The RUDY T press confernce is on local TV now. He is stepping down, It is health related ONLY. He is staying with the team for 2 years as a consultant. Nothing to do with the BS some haters are posting. Not players, not Kobe not ownership. He said he just became mentally consumed with coaching and being the best he could be and has been worn out by it. He calls the Laker organization his family and looks forward to the challenges the future brings with the team. As of now no coach has been named
What do you expect him to say? I still can't figure out why he even took that job. He isn't the guy he used to be, stated clearly when he left Houston he wanted to retire, then takes on what is one of the toughest coaching assignments out there. But if you think the stress levels is related to health ONLY, well, everyone believes what they want to.
Well, call it BS or being a hater but the Lakers have what they wanted. Kobe. And of course Kobe's players - as he refers to the rest of the team.
Enjoy.