I don't know where Rudy Tomjanovich was yesterday ....but I know he was beaming like a "proud papa" when he received the news that one of his former proteges was named Vice President of Player Personel with the Houston Rockets.

Dean Cooper .... who's been a Rockets employee for nearly 9 years .... was awarded that job yesterday by General Manager Daryl Morey. Cooper got the news when he returned from spending a month in China working out with Yao Ming. He tells me he didn't stay for Yao's wedding due to the timing of the event .....but he says he thoroughly enjoyed working out the big man ....because Yao works so hard at improving his game everyday.

Cooper had previously been in charge of scouting for the team. You probably wouldn't recognize Dean if he walked up to you on the street ...but he is just the latest of Rudy's former employees who has been recognized for his basketball knowledge.

Critics loved to point out during Rudy T's tenure .... that he always had a bunch of young kids on his coaching staff and that he didn't have enough wiley veterans to teach and win in the NBA. Well, those types of "kids" help Rudy lead this franchise through it's most successful runs ever. Now ...along with Cooper ....there is a growing list of his former coaches who are holding down very good jobs in the coaching profession. Jim Boylen ...a former video coordinator and assistant coach ... is now the head coach of the University of Utah. Mike Wells ... a former video coordinator and assistant coach is now an assistant coach with the Spurs. Dennis Lindsey ... who worked under both Rudy T and Carroll Dawson is now the assistant GM with the Spurs.

Rudy Tomjanovich was the most successful coach the Rockets ever had ....so I guess it should be no surprise that his influence is still felt in the team's front office today. Congratulations Lex Alexander you got this one right!!

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