Didnt Rashard Lewis do the same thing to the Sonics. Obviously he wanted to stay with the Sonics but he used us as leverage to get a higher paycheck. Van Gundy is doin the same thing. And if he is actually serious abou taking the Wizards job then........... well i would be speechless because they are a horrible team that just lost their best player.
That sounds like half of this forum. Dunleavy is already quoted as saying he didn't care if he were the 2nd, 3rd or 5th choice. He wants the job.
That is probably true, but I would still only prefer Duneavy if we had no other options. I think the Rockets made the right choice on Brown & JVG, to install some disclipline into this team. Dunleavy is more like Rudy, and will probably get ran over by our guards. I think Carlise would be another person with similiar fire & passion as Brown & JVG that could control this team.
Unfortunately we are not on Carlisle's list of potential suitors. He has former ties to Portland, and likes the Clips as well. Van Gundy jocked Houston all year long, now it looks like he's turning his back on us. I sure as hell wouldn't turn down $8-9 million a year to coach and be a GM. Washington is within driving distance of NYC. This puts Houston in a real bind, not only money-wise, but with regards to job title as well. The wheels are starting to come off, and suddenly the highly coveted Rockets job isn't so great after all. Carrol Dawson didn't go for the kill early in the interview process, and he's getting burned now. By the time we make a decision, Carlisle will be a Blazer, and Dunleavy will be a Hawk.
That's kind of like when you're talking to some chick at a party, and she doesn't come home with you, you go for the slut instead. The slut doesn't have any self esteem, and will do anything to get in your pants.
I think the longest a coach has stayed a Washington (before being forced out) during Rudy's long tenure as the Rocket's coach is 2 years. Anyone who takes that job is nuts, imo... unless they just want the money.
why is everyone panicking. It's nothing, had the cleveland job still been open van gundy would have used that as leverage. But it's not so he had to pick someone else otherwise he won't have a choice but go back to tnt with the back biter marv albert.
man, you guys are tag-teaming on Alex English. So, what's so wrong with Mr leader of scoring in the '80s.
Just make JVG a take-it-or-leave-it offer and make it public that if he turns it down, the job offer goes to Dunlevvy. Leaving room for yourself can give your opponent more bargaining power. JVG is not stupid, once he knows Rox has no room to back up (such as a public statement that the offer is final), he will stop pushing. This is the best deal he can get. I think Rox management needs to consult someone who knows game theory well.
Hopefully the Wizards will want Rick Carlisle more than Jeff Van Gundy. Maybe Van Gundy will just go back to TNT...and next year.....he becomes the coach of the Lakers or something.
Wizards Organization is in total disarray The one thing I am a little concerned about is the old saying, "desparate people do desparate things." And the Wizards are very much desperately trying to right their ship. My hunch is that their owner will have more reason to dangle a fatter paycheck in front of JVG. However, one very impt difference btw the Washington organization and the Houston Organization is that the latter understands the value of patience. Washington absolutely crumbled this past year. I mean, when one thinks about how Jordan just populated the organization with his cronies... and in the end, failed to do just about everything he said he'd do (e.g. teach the "young players" about the winning attitude, making it to the playoffs, training Kwame Brown, etc.), one has to wonder, "do you fault Jordan or the organization for short-sightedness?" Bottom line is that if you think "Les" is one for big images, then Washington is all about paying up for the images. Their franchise, quite frankly is in, "rebuilding" mode. All the more reason why I keep saying, "if JVG is sincere in that he's all about winning, then he'll come to Houston." The Rox are a rising team. We're not in 'assembly' mode anymore thanks to RudyT and a little luck in the lottery. Hopefully, if Ewing can do any good in these matters, it's to inform JVG of how awful an organization the Washington Wizards are. Moreover, Washington will be quick to run JVG out of town if they fail to put up a respectable record. Houston has more patience and I think that's worth more than its weight in gold. theSAGE
Here's the Hangup IMO Here's another "theory" too. If JVG has to ponder so hard on imagining 'Houston' as his new home, odds are, the Rox are looking to SINCERELY sign him (much like RudyT's legacy), to a long term (4, 5, 6 year) contract. Else, if it's a one year jobbie, what's the fret about??? Surely, the wife could be more understanding in that situation. But given the magnitude of the commitment, I bet that's what's delightfully shocked Mr. Van Gundy. Some people may criticize the Rocket organization for dollying out longer-term contracts than they ought to, but unlike other teams which really don't honor those contracts for reasons of trades or firing of coaches, the Rocket organization does so, in the spirit of patience and long-term thinking. Moreover, I don't think Houston operates the same way as say, Detroit, or Washington, where the owner THINKS that he can always BUY people's loyalities. Even though any profession in the NBA calls for salary negotiations, I think Les and CD are smart in trying to sell the 'entire' notion of truly taking pride as a distinguished member of the Houston Rockets. The Rockets are a proud team with a proud history. Money can't buy that kind of stuff. theSAGE
What happens is what happens when your team is in a slump. It seems everything you try doesn't work. i blame the rockets for dumping all the eggs in 1 basket but still half stepping. If they wanted Larry Brown, they should have persued him hard, made a offer and given him a time frame to accpet or decline. After Larry Brown, they should have opened up the competition wide open. DonnieNelson,Cleamons,Jordan,Wilkens,Silas,Carisle,A.Johnson,Scott Skiles,Kareem,Alex English,Del Harris and whoever else wanted or showed a good interest in becoming the Rockets coach. After that, drop a few and go to the next rd of interviews.After that, another rd, but all this sitting around and waiting letting weeks go by makes no sense at all. I said from the start, i thought guys like Silas,Cleamons,Jordan and some of those guy would have a greater appreciation for this job than others. Most agree it is a premier job, but its not the only job and every coach think they can handle any situation. People can think what they will about Van Gundy not wanting to coach the Wizards, but there are some advantages about the situation there: 1) He can be the coach and gm. This is a dream for most coaches because they can decide who they do or don't want as players. Parcells used to say if they want you t cook dinner, they can at least let you make the groceries. No more Scott Layden loading up the team with undersized 4's or overpaying guys like Rice,Eisley,or S.Anderson.If he was to take the job in Washington, it would be his job. 2) No bad contracts. This is just as important as anything they have. They have 5 players on rookie contracts, Stackhouse, their best player makes 6 mill,only a couple of other players, Hughes,White,and Leattner all make 5mill or less. As bad as it seems from the outside, this team isn't that far from the playoffs in the East. JVG ,if he takes the job, can move some of those rookie contract players for more established players and be ready to go. 3) No one to be compared to. In Washington, he will be compared to no predecessor since they haven't won in so long. In Houston, unless he brings a championship or 2 will always be compared to Rudy T. Anyone that knows anything know that always a difficult task to follow. He knows it probably better than anyone. Getting the Wiz into the playoff will be viewed as a success, getting the Rockets into the playoffs is expected. There is a big difference. Most will laugh and scoff at the idea of a quality coach turning down the chance to work with our nucleus in favor of the Wizards, but if you were in his position, wouldn't you feel your chances are better if you got to make the groceries before you cook? Wouldn't you feel better if you could establish your own legacy as opposed to follwing one? Wouldn't you feel better if the managment was happy to make it int the playoffs for 4 yrs staright as opposed to be contenders in that same 4yr stretch? Its a serious question that JVG is asking himself while basking over this same decision. Don't be surprised if he do go to the Wiz.
