Rockets Honor an Old Friend

Rudy Tomjanovich wandered the halls underneath Toyota Center, grabbing hands and exchanging embraces with familiar faces.

“Steve-O,” he bellowed, wrapping his arms around a statistician.

“Chip,” he said, grabbing onto another longtime friend. “My running partner for years.”

Before he was done, Tomjanovich had shared words with arena security personnel, former secretaries and members of the media.

Then he walked to the Laker bench, not the Houston Rocket bench, and got ready to coach against a franchise that employed him for more than 30 years as a player, scout and coach.

He savored the moment, which included a pregame video presentation that focused on the Rockets’ championship seasons in 1994 and 1995.

Rocket General Manager Carroll Dawson followed with a short, eloquent speech.

“There’s not one banner hanging [in the rafters] that’s woven without Rudy’s sweat, blood and tears,” Dawson said. “In our hearts, you will always be a Houston Rocket.”

Tomjanovich, in return, thanked Rocket fans and the organization.

“We have shared many, many great moments together and the passing of time has not diminished them at all,” said Tomjanovich, who was hired to coach the Lakers in July.

“Thank you, Houston.”

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Forward Slava Medvedenko did not dress for a third consecutive game since being activated from the injured list. He is still feeling the effects of a bruised heel, although he could be ready to play Wednesday against the Clippers.... Forward Jumaine Jones said his strained right calf is improving and he might be ready to play when he is eligible to come off the injured list next Sunday against the Chicago Bulls.... Tomjanovich addressed the plight of former Rocket teammate and roommate Calvin Murphy, who was charged with three counts of aggravated assault and three counts of indecency with a child. The charges against Murphy have received a high level of media attention in Houston. “I’ve been thinking about Calvin a lot lately and have been saying some prayers for him,” Tomjanovich said. “He was a big part of my early memories with playing.”