Ruland To Take Over As Albuquerque D-League Coach

When former NBA All-Star center Jeff Ruland and power forward Rick Mahorn played for the old Washington Bullets back in the early 1980’s legendary Celtics broadcaster Johnny Most used to refer to them as “McFilthy and McNasty”. I was never really sure what player he pegged with which name (as a reporter I have spoken with Mahorn as he has been an assistant with the Detroit Pistons. I every so often would be tempted to ask him if he knew before quickly regaining my senses, he could still break me in two like a breadstick!) Ruland who was a college coach with Iona will now be the head coach of the NBDL team the Albuquerque Thunderbirds as the announcement came down on Wednesday. He takes over from former Laker forward Michael Cooper who is now head coach of the WNBA Los Angeles Sparks. Cooper led the the Thunderbirds to the NBDL title both years he was with the team. Ruland says what he will stress is he has been where these young athletes want to get to, that is the NBA. And if they listen to him they can help them attain their dreams.