Rudy Tomjanovich

Rudy Tomjanovich

Personal information
Born	(1948-11-24) November 24, 1948 Hamtramck, Michigan
Nationality	USA
Listed height	6 ft 8 in (2.03 m)
Listed weight	218 lb (99 kg)
Career information
College	University of Michigan
NBA draft	1970: 2nd overall
Selected by the San Diego Rockets
Playing career	1970–1981
Position	Forward
Career highlights and awards
5-time NBA All-Star
Stats at NBA.com
Stats at Basketball Reference

Rudy Tomjanovich

Medal record
Men's Basketball
Representing United States
Olympic Games
	2000 Sydney	Team Competition (Coach)
World Championship
	1998 Greece	Team Competition (Coach)

Rudolph Tomjanovich, Jr. (born November 24 1948, in Hamtramck, Michigan), nicknamed Rudy T., is an American former basketball player and coach.

Early life

Tomjanovich was born to an American family of Croatian descent. He attended high school in Hamtramck, Michigan and later the University of Michigan (from 1967 to 1970).

Basketball

Playing career

Tomjanovich was selected in the 1970 NBA Draft as the second overall pick by the San Diego Rockets (the franchise relocated to Houston in 1971), for whom he would play the entirety of his NBA career. He was also drafted in both 1970 and 1974 by the Utah Stars of the ABA. In his eleven years in the NBA, Tomjanovich had a scoring average of 17.4 points and a rebounding average of 8.1, earning five All-Star Game selections in the process (1974–1977, 1979). He is the third-leading scorer in Rockets history behind Hall of Famers Calvin Murphy and Hakeem Olajuwon. Because his last name was so long, the back of Tomjanovich's jerseys would read "RUDY T.", rather than his 11 character name.

Despite Tomjanovich's noteworthy career as a player, he is perhaps best remembered for an infamous incident in which he was involved at the height of his playing career. In a December 9, 1977 game, the Los Angeles Lakers' Kermit Washington threw a brutal punch during an on-court melee which struck Tomjanovich. The blow shattered the bones of Tomjanovich's jaw and face and inflicted life-threatening head injuries, leaving him sidelined for five months. He eventually made a full recovery.

The Rockets retired Tomjanovich's #45 jersey upon the conclusion of his playing career. His collegiate jersey, also #45, was retired by the University of Michigan in 2003.

Coaching career

Tomjanovich became the Rockets' interim head coach in February, 1992 after the resignation of Don Chaney. In his first full season on the job (1992-93), Tomjanovich guided the Rockets to the Midwest Division title, making him the first head coach to ever take his team from the lottery to a division crown during his first full season. Building on this success, Rudy T. led the team to back-to-back NBA championships in 1994 and 1995. On the playoff run to their second title, the Rockets became the only team in history to defeat the teams with the four best regular season records in the playoffs. It was on the floor of The Summit after they captured their second title that he gave us one of the most epic quotes in all of sports history as he proclaimed, "Don't ever underestimate the heart of a champion!" Tomjanovich left the team after the 2002-03 season when he was diagnosed with bladder cancer. During his tenure as Rockets head coach, he posted a 503–397 (.559) regular-season record and a 51–39 (.567) playoff mark. His career wins and winning percentage are Rockets franchise records. Tomjanovich was in the employ of the Rockets organization as a player, scout and coach for each of the club's first 32 years in Houston.

In 1998, Tomjanovich volunteered to coach the U.S. men's senior basketball team at the FIBA World Championship in Greece. Despite the absence of NBA players due to labor negotiations, Tomjanovich guided the hastily assembled group of CBA players to the bronze medal. In light of his outstanding service in coaching at the 1998 Worlds and his stellar professional resume, Tomjanovich was tabbed to coach the U.S. men's senior team at the Games of the XXVII Olympiad in Sydney, Australia. The U.S. Team won the gold medal with an 8–0 record.

In 2004, Tomjanovich took over as the coach of the Los Angeles Lakers, replacing Phil Jackson. After just 41 games, he resigned due to health issues unrelated to his past bout with bladder cancer. Tomjanovich stayed with the Lakers as a consultant. On February 15, 2006, Tomjanovich was named director of scouting for USA Men's Basketball.

Rudy T was well-known for his instinctive managerial style and intensity on the bench. Always self-deprecating, he nonetheless heaped tremendous pressure on himself and his assistants to be prepared for each game, several times being hospitalized for exhaustion. After winning back-to-back titles, Tomjanovich deflected much of the praise and eschewed the "genius" label assigned to other champion coaches like Chuck Daly and Phil Jackson. His hands-off, easy-going manner with his players gave him a reputation as a "players coach," and as such veteran players were eager to play on his teams. Among the stars who requested and were granted trades to Houston during his tenure were Clyde Drexler, Charles Barkley, and Scottie Pippen.

Accomplishments

• NBA Champion head coach (1994,1995)
• Head coach of the gold medalist USA men's basketball team (2000)
• Five-time NBA All-Star (1974–1977, 1979)
• NCAA All-American (1970)
• All-time University of Michigan leader in rebounds. Second on UM all-time list in points per game
• Holds the Crisler Arena single game scoring and rebounding records
• Averaged 17.4 points per game on 50.1% shooting during his NBA career

See also

• University of Michigan Athletic Hall of Honor

References

• Feinstein, John. The Punch: One Night, Two Lives, and the Fight That Changed Basketball Forever. Publisher: Back Bay Books. ISBN 0-316-73563-9

External links

• NBA.com - Rudy T's career stats
• ClutchFans.net Profile - Houston Rocket Fan Site
• University of Michigan Profile