http://clutchfans.net/news/1398/rockets_fire_van_gundy/ Rockets fire Van Gundy After almost 2 weeks of waffling, Rockets finally decide to let Van Gundy go FRIDAY, MAY 18, 2007 12:46 PM CST By Clutch Copyright 2007 ClutchFans.net In a move that you could see coming the second the final horn sounded in Game 7, the Rockets let coach Jeff Van Gundy go on Friday. The decision came after nearly two weeks of Van Gundy, new GM Daryl Morey and Rockets owner Les Alexander playing hot potato with the call on whether or not the defensive-minded coach was to return. During that time came reports that Alexander was already negotiating a contract with former Kings coach Rick Adelman on being the replacement and did so while Van Gundy was still the coach. "First and foremost we want to thank Jeff for his tireless efforts here with the team over the past four seasons,” said Morey in a Rockets press release. "Jeff built the team into a top defensive club and played a crucial part in helping mold this team into a playoff contender. "Since the end of the post-season, we have had numerous conversations with Jeff about his interest in proceeding as the head coach. He asked for, and was granted, additional time to evaluate his situation with the agreement that we would begin looking into other candidates. During that process it became clear that Jeff did not want to continue in any capacity with the team other than as head coach." Was it the right call? Tough to say and time will tell. Van Gundy did some great work in the regular season, especially when Yao Ming missed 30+ games with a knee injury. His focus on defense is a rare commodity. His teams generally showed very good chemistry and the Rockets won 51 games in 2004-05 and 52 in 2006-07 and, in particular this season, he did so with limited rosters outside of Yao and Tracy McGrady. However, it would be wrong to distance Van Gundy entirely from the blame as to why the Rockets roster was so limited. The Rockets sacrificed "future" for "now" on more than one occasion during JVG's run. Rookies rarely saw time and players who might have helped, such as Bonzi Wells and Kirk Snyder, had a hard time getting out of the coach's doghouse. In four years of Van Gundy the Rockets never got out of the first round. If Adelman is the next coach it will be interesting to see what the style shift would be -- probably more offense, less defense. However, no matter what, the Rockets have to bolster their roster with better offensive players as it's not likely that any coach short of the Wizard of Oz will be able to squeeze more offensive capability out of the likes of big-minutes starters Rafer Alston and Chuck Hayes. I would have preferred that the Rockets sought offensive upgrades for a coach who plans a great defensive game and stresses that his players give their best defensive effort. That was Van Gundy, but for 07-08 he's off the hook. It's now time for management to do their part.
JVG is pure , JVG is H-town ... no problem with hiring him if that’s who they chose . he didn’t have the greatest success, nor did he have the greatest rosters , or injury luck . I’m sure he’s added to his knowledge of the game and found a different perspective (if only slightly ) being on the outside so long . whatever coach we get , our success will mostly be determined by our talent and luck . Mchale made it to the Wcf , MDA made it to the WCF . imo the best candidate is a guy (or becky hammon) who can take the small ball pieces on our roster , play it in stretches , and also put together another lineup that plays a different way and is hopefully bigger . MDA’s fatal flaw IMO was that he only knew one pitch . Mchale had more than one flaw but he also had his strengths. is there a style , a system , and complementary players that can put harden and WB in the best position to succeed... not maximize efficiency over 82 games , but enable them to get more comfortable looks when things tighten up in the playoffs ? We’ve gotta be healthy too
So Clutchfans b****ed hard about not playing rookies or the bench or develop talent. But I guess being an awesome TV guy makes you forget or even attempt to look up history. If JVG sucks again, he would be the first Rockets coach to get fired twice. Rookies rarely saw time and players who might have helped
yup 4 years losing in the first round and fans being mad at the terrible offense D'Antoni got fired cause he couldn't get past the conference finals and failed in the second round two years in a row
"I told Russ, ya know, we just need to keep our poise out there. I feel like we're progressing on that front"
JVG got us to the playoffs 3 out of 4 years with the lone year being cursed with injuries. Adelman just 2 out of 4. JVG never won a playoff series here. Adelman won one. It’s a push if you ask me ¯\_(ツ)_/¯.
You mean the 2 years when Yao had to end his career because his foot was broken and Tmac was useless and traded? You mean when we were dealt the Kevin Martin Era? Adelman coached circles around JVG @Reeko
To the newbs out there This article was written by our purest member His knowledge is better than yours and your entire family about the Rockets @Os Trigonum @Reeko @Rocket River
JVG was the defensive version of MDA...let T-Mac do whatever he wanted, was clueless on 1 side of the floor, loved his short rotations, and came with weak adjustments in the playoffs lost a game 7 by 40 on the road after being up 2-0...lost another game 7 at home
I believe the statement was who had more success. Not who was the better coach. My point still stands.
