Hall of Famer: Top career moments for Rockets legend Rudy Tomjanovich
On Saturday night, legendary Houston Rockets player and head coach Rudy Tomjanovich will be enshrined in Springfield, Massachusetts, as a member of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.
“Rudy T” will be formally presented by fellow Hall of Famers Calvin Murphy and Hakeem Olajuwon. Tomjanovich played with Murphy throughout his 11-year career from 1970 until 1981, while Olajuwon was the star player during his two NBA titles in the 1990s as a coach.
In his 11-plus seasons as head coach, Tomjanovich led the Rockets to a 503-397 (.559) regular-season record and a 51-39 (.567) mark in the NBA playoffs, headlined by Houston’s two championships in 1994 and 1995. He is by far the winningest coach in franchise history.
Besides his extensive accomplishments as a coach, “Rudy T” was also a dynamic player — with averages of 17.4 points and 8.1 rebounds in 33.5 minutes per game. He was a five-time All-Star at power forward.
Over those years, Tomjanovich had his share of spectacular moments. Here’s our look back at some of the most memorable days.
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October 14, 1978
Photo by Malcolm Emmons, USA TODAY Sports
On paper, Houston's second game of the 1978-79 NBA season wasn't anything special. But for Tomjanovich, it was his return to the court after having his previous season ended by a Kermit Washington punch that could have killed him. For a man whose career and life is defined by resilience, it was perhaps his most resilient moment of all. Wearing a mask, Tomjanovich had 11 points and 8 rebounds in a 114-108 victory (box score) at Boston, and he went on to earn yet another All-Star honor — the fifth and final of his storied career — later that season. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6h4widojvXI
April 12, 1975
In the decisive game of a first-round series against the New York Knicks, Tomjanovich scored a game-high 25 points (80% FG) and grabbed 10 rebounds — leading the Rockets to a dominant 118-86 victory (box score). It was the first series win for Houston in NBA playoff history. Led by Tomjanovich and Murphy, the Rockets advanced to the conference semifinals (versus Boston) for the first time in team history. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PVQ9imHzXN4
January 13, 1974
Tomjanovich scored a career-high 42 points, leading the Rockets to a surprising 121-112 road victory (box score) over the Buffalo Braves. Later that year, "Rudy T" became an NBA All-Star for the first time.
Jan. 23, 1974; Atlanta, GA, USA; Houston Rockets forward Rudy Tomjanovich (45) in action. Photo by Manny Rubio-USA TODAY Sports.
February 18, 1992
Tomjanovich was promoted from assistant coach to interim head coach midway through the 1991-92 season, replacing Don Chaney. At the time, the Rockets (26-26) were a disappointment, having gone 52-30 in the prior season. Houston responded to the change by winning 11 of its next 15 games, and "Rudy T" had the interim tag removed that offseason. https://twitter.com/NBAHistory/status/1391460460323500033
February 14, 1995
It's easy to forget, but the blockbuster Otis Thorpe-Clyde Drexler trade wasn't solely about bringing in a second All-Star to pair with Hakeem Olajuwon. For Tomjanovich, it was also an opportunity to innovate. Begining with the Feb. 14, 1995 home game (box score) versus the Los Angeles Clippers, the Rockets didn't replace Thorpe with another traditional big man. Instead, they opted for more 3-point shooting at power forward — an extreme rarity in those days — by first starting Pete Chilcutt, and later Robert Horry (once he returned from injury). The Rockets led the NBA in 3-point attempts that season, which provided both a mathematical advantage and more space for Olajuwon to operate on the interior. It all ended with a second straight NBA title. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sy1zp8AhJp0
June 22, 1994
With Tomjanovich leading the way as head coach, Houston's 90-84 victory (box score) over New York in Game 7 of the 1994 NBA Finals resulted in the city's first championship in a major team sport. https://twitter.com/NBAHistory/status/1392183425688346633
June 14, 1995
What's better than one NBA championship? Two. With a 113-101 victory (box score) in Game 4 at The Summit, the Houston Rockets swept the Orlando Magic in the 1995 NBA Finals and claimed their second straight crown. After struggling in a 47-35 regular season and earning just the No. 6 seed in the Western Conference, the 1994-95 Rockets completed arguably the toughest playoff title run ever. It all led to an iconic postgame speech by Tomjanovich, with the words certain to echo throughout Saturday's enshrinement ceremony: "Don't ever underestimate the heart of a champion!" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dTyP7I8X4UY [vertical-gallery id=49138]
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