That depends on whether you believe McHale is a playoff contention level coach. If you believe he is, then he'll find his way. If you believe he isn't, then he'll ultimately throttle the progression of the team. When I think contention level coaches I think coaches like SVG, JVG, Pops, PJ, Doc Rivers and even Spoelstra and Brooks (though the jury is still out on Brooks). This doesn't mean the team can't improve under McHale, the question is will it improve to the point that they aren't perpetual 1st and 2nd round fodder under McHale? Here's another way of looking at it. Run the team through next year in your mind... in one scenario do it with McHale. In the 2nd scenario do it with Pops, Doc Rivers, SVG/JVG, or another top caliber coach. If they both don't end in similar places, then yes, it is a choice between mediocrity and improvement.
The Rockets had JVG. Clutchfans thought he was a bad coach and wanted him fired. Here are just a couple threads: http://bbs.clutchfans.net/showthread.php?t=105388&highlight=fire http://bbs.clutchfans.net/showthread.php?t=114563&highlight=fire No coach will ever be good enough for Clutchfans. Clutchfans wanted Rudy fired, they wanted JVG fired, they wanted Adelman fired, and now they want McHale fired. Nothing ever changes around here. The fans always think they know more about basketball than the coaches, and they always think some other coach would be better than the current coach.
Anybody watching the games up to this point should realize Rox don't have many real offensive plays. The coaches and players have been saying they don't have many plays that's why all the freelance and isos. The Rox are extremely depended on their 3s falling to open up offense in half-court. When Rox 3s aren't falling they are very easy to stop. Rox lack of imagination/variety on offense along with their lack of defense has been their downfall. I will give McHale credit for some lineup changes that have helped on the defensive end (inserting Beverly and Garcia into starting lineup). Garcia has also been hitting his 3s well in the playoffs too. These moves were mainly done out of injury/desperation more than anything but I'll still give him credit. It appears you are one of the posters on here who likes McHale as coach which is fine. I don't like him as a coach and don't feel he is a championship coach which is ultimately what Rox should be shooting for.
Personally I think JVG was fine, but that's my opinion which is what this thread is about. I'm less concerned about public opinion on a coach than my own impressions. I've been a critic of McHale's in game adjustments for some time, and for the past several months the frequency of ISO play in the final minutes even when it was in my opinion a poor choice. That said, I'm willing to acknowledge that it may not be McHale's call, which is why I think it may come to a head between McHale and Harden. As for fans, you are correct. Someone will always want the best coach when they know they don't have the best. You look at teams with coaches like Pops or Doc Rivers and then you look at McHale and it's natural to envy those teams. I'm not saying there's a coach as good as Pops or Doc available (other than PJ who I suspect isn't going to coach again, more likely end up as a NBA exec), however I personally believe there are better coaches than McHale in circulation. Finally, I doubt many fans thought when JVG or Adelman was leaving that the coaching change would be a lateral or downward move in terms of quality of coach. Given the choice between McHale and JVG or Adelman, I'd take JVG or Adelman. Not ideal, but better than what we have which in the end is what you want... an upgrade. After all, unlike players there's no cap when it comes to spending on Coaching staff.
No, what I am saying is that the fans will never be happy, regardless who the coach is. You think Clutchfans would be happy with Pops or Doc Rivers? Guess again. And I don't envy other teams, I'm enjoying watching the Rockets. The fans will always want the best coach when they think they don't have the best. Fans know very little, you and me included. It's pretty funny that many Clutchfans want JVG back as our coach after they bad mouthed him when he was here. Go to the Spurs and Celtic boards and you will see fans crying about the coaches you hold in such high regard. You want to believe that you can evaluate coaches, well go ahead, there are plenty of other experts around here to keep you company.
Eh, I've said that only way McHale deserves to keep his job is if manages to make a close series where they at least go to Game 6. To my surprise he's done it. Still I reserve the opinion I think the team would probably have better development with a different coach. But after two great games, where our players finally showed their best and the Rockets actually play defense, I won't say he is completely out matched as a NBA coach.
I'm sorry I know a lot of people started giving him a lot of credit when we got back in this series but I don't buy it. We blew a 10 point lead in the 3rd and lost momentum so fast. We're playing our best when our players are hitting their outside shots since we take so many, and I don't think that should be chalked up to good coaching. Great season in the end, most fun watching in a very long time, but along with a PF I would love to see us get a proven coach.
He needs to go. THere was no excuse for losing the game today, especially with that lineup in the 4th. Where the **** was brooks? The common denominator that came out in our wins?
That lineup was a slow motion train wreck. I just kept waiting for McHale to take action, but time ran out. We could've had a Game 7. With Westbrook out, this was our best chance to defeat the best team in the West.
We just ran out of players. Lin didn't look like he should have been out there. Harden had no energy. maybe Brooks should have had some minutes at the beginning of the 4th. We needed one or two more experienced players.
Why do people think JVG is a good coach? He's the worst coach the rockets have ever had and by a landslide. People want to replace Mchale because he lost in the first round with a bunch of kids, if it wasn't so absurd in its irony, it might actually be funny.
Season over, and he needs to leave. I don't want to see anymore isolation and simple pick and roll plays next season. It's time to get a real coach.
I wasn't a big fan of JVG either, at least for that Houston team. Probably this one also. He would be good with a tea. like Memphis or some other defensive minded club with the personal.
Because Aaron Brooks was play terrible defense. Lin played solid defense, but his turnovers............
