Rudy Tomjanovich eyes Olajuwon, Murphy as Hall of Fame presenters

Former Houston Rockets player and head coach Rudy Tomjanovich is asking franchise icons Calvin Murphy and Hakeem Olajuwon to formally present him later this year at his Hall of Fame induction.

Tomjanovich played with Murphy throughout his 11-year career from 1970 thrugh 1981, while Olajuwon was the star player during his two NBA championships as a coach in 1994 and 1995.

Murphy immediately accepted the honor. In comments to Mark Berman of Fox 26 Houston, the Hall of Fame guard said Monday:

I would have been very, very disappointed and very hurt if I had not been at his right hand when he accepts his enshrinement. That was absolutely fabulous. It doesn’t get any better than that. Over the 10 years we roomed together, over the years we’ve known each other, I can’t begin to tell you how much time we spent talking basketball.

The fact that Rudy Tomjanovich and Calvin Murphy came into the NBA together, we cried together, we laughed together, and now we’re going to be in the Hall of Fame together. It don’t get any better than that.

Hall of Famer @CalvinMurphyHOF on being asked by Rudy Tomjanovich to be 1 of his presenters when he’s inducted into the Hall of Fame: “I would have been very,very disappointed & very hurt if I had not been at his right hand when he accepts his enshrinement.That was absolutely..” pic.twitter.com/o3xrToXFXr

— Mark Berman (@MarkBermanFox26) April 6, 2020

As for Olajuwon, a Hall of Fame center, Tomjanovich told Berman:

If Hakeem isn’t on the team when I get the job, you guys will probably be saying ‘Hey, remember that guy with the long last name who used to play for the Rockets?’ People wouldn’t know who I am right now. I was just blessed to have such a great player that we could build around. He’s the key ingredient to this whole deal.

Rudy Tomjanovich says he’s asked fellow Hall of Famer @CalvinMurphyHOF & will ask Hall of Famer Hakeem Olajuwon (@DR34M)to present him during his induction ceremony: “I’m hoping Hakeem will be able to make it, but I have asked Calvin. He would love to do it & hopefully Hakeem..” pic.twitter.com/WlVTr0bCE1

— Mark Berman (@MarkBermanFox26) April 6, 2020

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.

Tomjanovich and other members of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame’s Class of 2020 are scheduled to be enshrined on Saturday, Aug. 29 in Springfield, Massachusetts. Former NBA players to be inducted will include Tim Duncan, Kevin Garnett, and the late Kobe Bryant.