Los Angeles Lakers head coach Rudy Tomjanovich
continues to be bothered by a stomach virus and will miss his second
straight game Tuesday because of the illness, but has also apparently
considered resigning his position.
ESPN reported that Tomjanovich was set to resign after Tuesday night's
game against Portland, in part because of health-related issues, although
it is not a recurrence of the
bladder cancer that forced him to take a medical leave of absence as coach
of the Houston Rockets during the 2002-03 season.
However, the Lakers said later Tuesday that several options are being
considered and resignation is among them.
Tomjanovich missed this past Sunday's 101-90 victory over Charlotte
because of a stomach virus. Frank Hamblen, who coached the team against
the expansion Bobcats, will continue to run the team while Tomjanovich
recovers.
The Lakers are 23-19 heading into Tuesday's game against
Portland. Los Angeles has a new look this season without the traded
Shaquille O'Neal, and the club is now playing without star guard Kobe
Bryant, who is sidelined with an ankle injury.
Tomjanovich took over as the 20th coach in franchise history last July,
signing a five-year deal worth a reported $30 million, after Phil Jackson
and the Lakers mutually agreed to part company following the NBA Finals
loss to the Detroit Pistons.
The 55-year-old Tomjanovich was a lifetime Rocket before joining the
Lakers. He played for the Houston franchise, and as coach led the team to
consecutive NBA titles in 1994 and '95.
In May 2003, Tomjanovich stepped down from the Houston job after 12
years following his medical leave to treat bladder cancer. He has a career
coaching record of 526-416, including 503-397 with the Rockets.
(Agencies)
Updated: 2005-02-02 14:50
