
Rudy Tomjanovich Rumors

Popovich then will explain why Rudy Tomjanovich deserves induction. “I wonder every year why he is not in the Hall of Fame,” Popovich said recently. “This is a guy with basketball in his blood. As a player, he was relentless and tough. Any coach would want to have him on his team or her team. Then he was successful (as a coach) and built a great program in Houston. He won championships. He won back-to-back championships. And he’s an Olympic gold medalist. Plus, he’s a great guy. “I see other people going into the Hall of Fame and wonder when his name is going to come up. I thought it should have come up way back when. Hopefully, it will happen sooner rather than later.”

“Don’t get me started on the Hall of Fame,” Clippers coach Doc Rivers said before Friday’s game against the Spurs at AT&T Center. “Why is it that college coaches — and nothing against the college coaches — but they’re coaching and they’re Hall of Fame coaches? Why isn’t Pop in the Hall? Well, he has his own reasons. But Rudy T isn’t in the Hall? That’s a joke, just a complete joke. In college, if you win two national titles, you can lose every game for the rest of your career and you still get to go to the Hall of Fame.”

Andrew Greif: Clippers coach Doc Rivers has won the PBWA’s Rudy Tomjanovich Award for “cooperation with the media and fans, as well as his excellence on the court.” It’s the second time he’s won it — last time was 2011-12.
Mark Berman: Rudy Tomjanovich says it means a great deal to him that his former players believe he belongs in the Hall of Fame,but also says he’s not going to let the possibility “rent space in my head. There’s a lot of other good stuff to think about..My life turned out better than my dreams”

Scott Agness: Pacers coach Nate McMillan is one of five finalists for the PBWA’s Rudy Tomjanovich Award, recognizing a coach for excellence with media and fans. Other finalists: Kenny Atkinson, Mike D’Antoni, Michael Malone, Doc Rivers.
Jonathan Feigen: Will post some quotes shortly, but you cannot believe how gracious Rudy T was when I told him he was not a Hall of Fame finalist. He always is, but this was off the charts. For starters: “That’s wonderful that Del (Harris) got that. I’m so happy for Del. Wonderful.”