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Old Dick Justice article on Alexander, Adelman, Van Gundy and Morey in 2007

Discussion in 'Houston Rockets: Game Action & Roster Moves' started by Carl Herrera, Apr 13, 2011.

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  1. Carl Herrera

    Carl Herrera Contributing Member

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    I came across this while searching for the recent Justice article... think it's interesting to look back. The highlights are mine.




    http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/justice/4808202.html

    My thoughts:

    1. Justice turned out to be mostly correct. With comparable level of talent, Adelman and Van Gundy achieved comparable results.

    2. Van Gundy's lack of confidence in Morey turned out not to be justified. It seems that Van Gundy has changed his mind on Morey's abilities (given that Van Gundy goest to speak at Morey's geek conference an all).


    3. While it's good to demand excellence, Alexander's unreasonable demand on his coach is not productive. He screwed up his relationship with Van Gundy, was good and lucky enough to have Adelman as a replacement, and I think has now screwed up with Adelman. I can only hope they make a wise (and lucky) choice on a new coach again and get a good one instead of a Eric Musselman (who got a DUI in Sactown before his first season started and didn't do much better since).

    4. It seems Les Alexander has not changed or learned anything from 4 years ago. I think it's because Adelman has done a good job and Les didn't have to suffer through a real disaster. Maybe Les needs to experience some dark times in order to learn.

    5. Coaches, especially good NBA coaches, have egos like any "stars" of their profession. You don't just treat them like expendable employees. Inside Adelman's Willy Loman appearance lurks the heart of Diana Ross.
     
    #1 Carl Herrera, Apr 13, 2011
    1 person likes this.
  2. REEKO_HTOWN

    REEKO_HTOWN I'm Rich Biiiiaaatch!

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    Seems like both JVG and Adelman have ZERO respect for Morey.

    Morey has been trying all he can to find good players but Rick refused to go away from his trusted few.
     
    #2 REEKO_HTOWN, Apr 13, 2011
  3. J.R.

    J.R. Member

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    How many fans miss JVG?

    I hear the same thing now(though moreso from fans).

    Rick got the most from a flawed roster. No other coach that comes in after Rick could get/would have gotten more from the Rockets than Rick did in his tenure.
     
    #3 J.R., Apr 13, 2011
  4. emjohn

    emjohn Contributing Member

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    All coaches privately want a puppet GM that makes their wants happen.

    When you have an independent GM like Morey, who'll listen to the coaches but shape the roster as he sees fit, it almost always creates an ego battle on some level.

    I think it's clear that Adelman loathed some of the moves Morey made this year and that he is unhappy that he doesn't have a real say in them.
     
    #4 emjohn, Apr 13, 2011
  5. Don FakeFan

    Don FakeFan Member

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    "But virtually no one inside the organization believes another coach would have gotten more from the Rockets than Van Gundy did during four years on the job. "

    This is a ridiculous statement.

    What did JVG get? First round exits with two superstars?
    No one could do worse than JVG.

    The JVG hiring was a disaster for Les.
     
    #5 Don FakeFan, Apr 13, 2011
  6. Carl Herrera

    Carl Herrera Contributing Member

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    I miss JVG. Though with JVG being on ESPN all the time it does ease the pain somewhat.

    And given the numerous "bring back JVG if Adelman goes" responses recently, many others miss JVG, too.

    As for "getting more from the roster," Adelman got the same from the 07/08 roster as JVG did from the 06/07 roster. Without significant alterations, I doubt a coach can get more out of the current roster than what Adelman got out of them, particularly since the trade deadline.
     
    #6 Carl Herrera, Apr 13, 2011
  7. PeppermintCandy

    PeppermintCandy Member

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    That article makes it seem like the Rockets wanted to re-sign van Gundy. But from what I remember, JVG wanted to return while Les didn't want him back.

    Anyway, Les Alexander does seem to create needless drama regarding his coaches. Maybe he doesn't realize how lucky he's been to obtain the services of two top-notch coaches in a row, three counting Rudy T.
     
    #7 PeppermintCandy, Apr 13, 2011
  8. gah

    gah Member

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    I didn't want JVG to be let go. When JVG was hired I couldn't be more happier even if we had signed a Larry Brown or the very same Adelman.

    However, JVG's dismissal was a little bit more justified because of the two disheartening playoff losess to Utah, (not to mention the good for nothing Dallas effort) Adelman has always exceeded expectations (this year being the lesser example) and given no hint of why he should be replaced.

    I just hope this whole thing doesn't backfire on us, in this Russian roulette game we would be firing two top caliber coaches, I hope the bullet of doom is not next yet.
     
    #8 gah, Apr 13, 2011
  9. choujie

    choujie Member

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    I do miss JVG. He and RA are both great coaches. They both have flaws, but they both get the most of their team.
     
    #9 choujie, Apr 13, 2011
  10. choujie

    choujie Member

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    Err, JVG lost one Utah series and RA lost the other?
     
    #10 choujie, Apr 13, 2011
  11. choujie

    choujie Member

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    Les is an owner who wants to win but doesn't support coaches and GMs enough.
     
    #11 choujie, Apr 13, 2011
  12. ShutURBiG!

    ShutURBiG! Contributing Member

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    Head Coach: Rick Adelman
    Assistant Coach: Jeff Van Gundy


    If only..
     
    #12 ShutURBiG!, Apr 13, 2011
  13. da_juice

    da_juice Member

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    I think it's his winning drive that hurts the team the most, he has a win now mindset, ethier we're winning rings or the whole thing needs to be blown up. He's not patient enough to wait to win, look how long it took the Olujawon era Rockets to get it going(ignoring the magical run in '86)?
     
    #13 da_juice, Apr 13, 2011
  14. REEKO_HTOWN

    REEKO_HTOWN I'm Rich Biiiiaaatch!

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    You're missing a point. We got Olujawon BECAUSE we blew it up.

    Look at Chicago. They blew it up and got Derrick Rose. Do you think we're going to get a Superstar by being the best lotto team that can't make the playoffs?
     
    #14 REEKO_HTOWN, Apr 13, 2011
  15. mattrbowers

    mattrbowers Member

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    I find it interesting (and distressing at the same time) that history has repeated itself ... by that I mean - "nobody would have gotten better out of what the rockets had to offer". Is this a cliche that is just following this team around now??? Is it a product of our mediocrity? Is it just bad luck? Is it something about the city of Houston (which, besides the traffic, I love).
     
    #15 mattrbowers, Apr 13, 2011
  16. VBG

    VBG Member

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    But Adelman did get us out of the first round...
     
    #16 VBG, Apr 13, 2011
  17. Carl Herrera

    Carl Herrera Contributing Member

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    That was the pre-lotto era, when you can actually guarantee getting a first pick by having the worst record.

    Chicago roster 2007: http://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/CHI/2007.html
    Chicago roster 2008: http://www.basketball-reference.com/leagues/NBA_2008.html

    Which players did they jettison when they "blew it up" between these two years?

    And how many games did they win after the blow-up? What were their odds of getting the top pick (and thus D. Rose)?

    http://www.collegehoopsnet.com/2008-nba-draft-lottery-odds-42351
     
    #17 Carl Herrera, Apr 13, 2011
  18. rocketsjudoka

    rocketsjudoka Contributing Member
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    A lot of people tend to forget this. With a somewhat healthy Yao, but no McGrady and losing Deke early in the series, he got us past a tough Portland team. Missing Yao for half the series he took the eventual champions to 7 games with a few blowout victories. Adelman did take us to the next level but wasn't able to get to the level after that.

    Lets not forget also that even in the two seasons we haven't made the playoffs we have gotten within a few games without any superstar.
     
    #18 rocketsjudoka, Apr 13, 2011
  19. rox4lyf

    rox4lyf Member

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    Chicago didn't blow anything up. They were stuck with a mediocre roster, good enough to squeak into the playoffs or just miss it--similar to the Rockets. They lucked out in the lottery and got Derrick Rose. They had something like a 1% chance to get the top pick. Call it conspiracy, call it luck, whatever, but what you cannot call it, is that Chicago blew it up/tanked to get a superstar.
     
    #19 rox4lyf, Apr 13, 2011
  20. rox4lyf

    rox4lyf Member

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    If you're trying to diminish Rick Adelman's accomplishments here because he had a superstar player, tell that to every HOF coach out there. No team can succeed without a good coach and no good coach can succeed without a good team.
     
    #20 rox4lyf, Apr 13, 2011
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