(November 24, 1948- )
Born in Hamtramck, Michigan
Drafted 2nd overall by the San Diego Rockets in the 1970 NBA Draft
Forward for the San Diego/Houston Rockets (1970-81)
Head coach for the Houston Rockets (1991-2003) and the Los Angeles Lakers (2004-05)

His actual name is Rudolph.
His teams failed to reach the playoffs during the last five seasons of his career.
He is both a heavy smoker and a vegetarian.
He angered many long time Rockets fans when he accepted the Los Angeles Lakers coaching job.
His tenure as Lakers head coach only lasted 43 games.
His intensity as a coach often led to him being hospitalized due to stress.
As a player, the back of his jersey read 'Rudy T.' instead of his surname.

He earned All-American honors while attending the University of Michigan.
He was the victim of a vicious sucker punch from Kermit Washington which shattered the majority of the bones in his face (1977).
He is the first head coach in NBA history to guide his team from a lottery position to a division title in his first full season at the helm.
He guided the Rockets to the franchise's first two NBA titles.
He guided the U.S. Men's Olympic team to a goal medal (2000).
While he was considered an intense coach by pundits, his easy going manner with the players allowed established veterans like Clyde Drexler and Charles Barkley to request a trade to the Rockets.
He was associated with the Rockets franchise for over 30 years at the time of his resignation.

Credit: Ricky

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