Just heard JVG on the radio. He likes the Rocks in 5. Here is why: 1) Its the best matchup for Houston. Portland will not front Yao and he expects Yao to have a big series. 2) Portland is inexperienced. 3) Houston has TWO top notch defenders to take turns on Brandon Roy. 4) The guards on the Rockets would have to play REALLY poor to allow Portland to even take it to game 7. 5) Believes Houston woke up, is ready. And at the very least, will get out of the first round. That could spur confidence. They could crank up the defense and maybe make a run. THIS IS WHY JVG RUUUUUUUUUUUUUULES! He actually just pulled me out of my depression and now... I AM READY TO RUUUMMMMMMMMMMMMBLEEEEEEEE!!!
Man, I love JVG. He's been this organization's biggest cheerleader ever since he was let go. It takes a big man to be able to let bygones be bygones, and I know he still has a personal stake in Yao's success. They still remain in constant contact, and he wants nothing more than to see Yao flourish.
I love JVG. This guy is one of the most honest and straightforward people in the NBA. Sometimes I wish he would have had a talented offense coach as one of his assistants back when he coached us to help with some creativity on offense. But JVG is by far one of my very favorites.
Do we really have playoff experience tho??? I'd say winning in the playoffs is what gets experience.... I'm not bashing at all, but ......
JVG telling it like it is. Portland is definitely the team we want to square up against. Get the brooms ready because it's time to sweep!
We have a supposed offensively talented coach and more offensive talent than when JVG was here and the offense doesn't look any better.
First thought from reading this thread, wow JVG loves this team. Which makes me think if the Rox offer him another coaching position i9n the future, and thats a BIG if, would he take it? Also why does he love this team so much? Is it because of Yao? Battier? What happens if these 2 are gone? Will he give this Rockets team the same love? Or does he really love this organization? I do not see him giving him the same love/attention towards the Knicks. Maybe 'cause all the players he coached back then in the 90's our gone. Ehh I'm thinking too much...
JVG has his homer glasses on McMillan has often used Aldridge to front Yao, and it was effective in taking Yao out of the game as usual. I would expect McMillan to employ even more fronting defense during this series.
Cool, JVG and I are both on record as saying Rox in 5. I think the reasoning behind the "Portland won't front Yao" argument is based on the fact that Joel Przybilla and Greg Oden are true centers in that they're more accustomed to playing behind down on the block. The big caveat here is that if the Blazers put LaMarcus Aldridge on Yao, rest assured that he'll be fronting as he's smaller (i.e. less thick) and quicker than Yao would be down on the block. I could see a scenario where they put Aldridge on Yao and double big with either Przybilla or Oden off of Scola. I would definitely expect this if Hayes is in the game for Scola for defensive purposes.
Same think I was thinking. I believe Portland will front Yao and thats when things will get ugly for us. The only way I don't see Portland fronting Yao is that hes not having a good game and their already ahead. But if Yao is having a great game and its looking like a loss for Portland you better believe they will start to front him.
I thought something similar about Utah a couple years ago. Another similarity is that Utah was a very good 4th quarter executing team, just like Portland this year. That means in pressure situations (and the playoffs are all about pressure) Portland would have an edge over us in executing their offense.
Yes, please post the station or a podcast, if available. Hated him as a coach, love his analysis and opinions though... I would love to hear this interview. I had a friend who attended a Rockets event several years back and he told me everyone loved Van Gundy. He was always surrounded by a bunch of people, was the center of attention, and would make everyone laugh.
