http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/sports/7896514.htm Van Gundy very high on Hinrich BY K.C. JOHNSON Chicago Tribune HOUSTON - (KRT) - Rockets coach Jeff Van Gundy took a break from the hullabaloo that is engulfing his team to virtually anoint Kirk Hinrich. "It's not a stretch to say he'll be a star point guard in this league," Van Gundy said. "He's a stud, a big-time competitor. He doesn't back down. He's bigger than you think. He's quicker than you think. And he's nastier than you think." Van Gundy also likes how the Bulls are using Hinrich and Jamal Crawford in the same backcourt. A veteran of the tabloid wars in New York from his Knicks coaching days, Van Gundy is finding the recent hubbub surrounding his team humorous. Van Gundy recently suspended Steve Francis one game for skipping a team flight to attend the Super Bowl and cut short Friday's morning shootaround to conduct a second one before the game. "We're fine," he said. ... Hinrich will be coached in the Rookie Challenge game on Feb. 13 by former Bulls coach Doug Collins and recently-fired Nets coach Byron Scott. . . . Scottie Pippen dressed but didn't play after logging a combined eight minutes in the last two games because of his sore left knee. Pippen passed Van Gundy in a hallway before the game as he went to warm up. "Take that uniform off," Van Gundy jokingly screamed. "I don't want to see that help defense anymore." ...
Captain Kirk Rockets coach Jeff Van Gundy went beyond membership in the Kirk Hinrich fan club and all the way to club president. "I love Kirk Hinrich," Van Gundy said of the Bulls rookie point guard. "I haven't seen him enough, but I've seen enough to say he's going to be a great point guard in this league. I watch him, he's more athletic than you think. He does not back down. He's a big-time competitor. "When I watch Hinrich, in my limited watching of the Bulls, it's not a stretch to think he'll be a star point guard in this league, as much to do with his competitive spirit and toughness as for any particular skill. I see a guy who is a very, very, very strong competitor."
This has been my point... JVG has forever had the lie perpetuated in the national media about SF. TEAM damage as well as personal player damage. But he doesn't mind, he's a drama queen... We need class at the head coach helm. Not the sarcasm of Billy Crystal. Karl Malone as coach would now IMO be classier.
That's more praise for an outsider than I've seen for anyone on our roster all year. Benedict Arnold.
IROC it, why don't you let it go before you will have posted the same drivel in ALL posts on the frontpage of the GARM. You have talked yourself into some kind of rage against JVG...
I'm not sure tonight would be a good time to jones for Chandler. Man, that missed freethrow was about as bad as I've ever seen. He really had a lousy game. The amazing freethrow that wasn't came after he was fouled hard by Cato (which made me smile). My first thought was that he was thinking more of the pain in his back then what he was doing at the line. I'm more concerned back-wise then I was before the game. But Hinrich would be a terrific pickup.
Man, we've got dueling Hinrich threads. This one beat the other by a minute, so I guess I better switch. I'd love to get the guy and I can see why JVG is high on him. I don't want Chandler in a package, though. He didn't look good at all. I think his back is still bothering him.
Why does Scooby Doo need "Scooby Snacks?" Didn't he just eat everything at the high school dance? ^^^^ That's "drivel" - and your monitoring of my opinions seems to be more consistent to "ALL" of my posts, than my comments to "ALL posts on the frontpage of the GARM." Rage Against The JVG Ma-cheen, Baby. Nuthin' but love. "drivel" - classic... and thanks for noticing, it's how one gets the point fully across 'round these parts.
Great article! Make the trade now before Hinrich gets too good for them to trade. Same as Darko will be in a couple years.
Since it's a ClutchFan tradition to suggest a trade for players on the team the Rockets just played, I'd now rather have Hinrich and Curry and a bad contract to make up the salary cap difference for Francis. Chandler looks like damaged goods.
They would have to throw in Jason Williams to make it work salery wise but that would make the deal better for Chicago by unloading that salery. Francis for Kirk Tyson JWill...just for salery cap reasons
