They made the playoffs with almost the same record even though he had a much better yao ming and JJ and didn't have cancer 3 quarters into the season. Don't knock Rudy because of Francis. They (JVG and Rudy) both did the best with what they had. A 2 guard in a point guards body with almost zero basketball IQ that can't play defense.
True, Rudy is a players coach, but if you think he would not have made the TMac trade (if he thought it beneficial) then you either were not born or simply not paying attention when he traded away Cassell, Hory, Thorp, etc to make the teams better. Rudy has two championships and I believed he got every ounce out of those teams which may have otherwise not have gone so far. I absolutely love his style of leadership, though also believe it could become a problem at times as some players (people in general) are such A-holes they do not know how to respond to a coach treating them like a man and a friend. Sad, but that's the way it is. On the flip side, I was absolutely ready to lynch Gumby earlier this season when it appeared he would NEVER develop our team offensively, or even so much as get in their corner and take their backs.... However, he somehow got it together and with players he is obviously more comfortable coaching has gone on to do an OUTSTANDING JOB! I really believe his brothers success in Miami (getting away a little from the 'Van Gundy way') has been instrumental in Gumbys new found success with something other than the old Knicks mug em if you can't beat them ways. Maybe one day JVG will be as good as Rudy in my mind, but not yet.
Yes. Larry is the most overrated coach of all time. The Pistons were stacked last year and barely got by the Nets. I would much rather have Rudy T than Brown.
He is already better than Rudy T, but Rudy T is only better in 'your mind' Seriously though, people are so freakin' impatient, it is really rediculous! JVG had a BRAND NEW team, with an entirely different roster of players that not only did not fit one another, but were still guessing each other and learning to play together, and you were 'ready to lynch him'?!! Talk about the need for instant gratification. When things were going bad earlier in the year, I was among very few on the board (along with Fegwu and few others) who preached patience with this team, while the 'lynch mob' mentality was spreading through the BBS to "FIRE JVG!!". Seriously people, haven't you learned that nothing good in life comes quickly? That it takes time to achieve one's goals? I guess not
There have been at least 8 or 10 guys like Scotty in the history of the league, but there's only ever been one like Charles. He was the most ferocious rebounder of his era, dominating much taller and bigger guys for over a decade. And he's only 6'4" for chrissake! That's an average-sized point guard these days. He's one of only 4 players to have amassed 20,000 rb, 10,000 pts & 4,000 ast. Kareen, Wilt and Karla are the other three. That's pretty good damned company. Career numbers: 22.1 pts, 11.7 rb, 3.9 ast, 54.1 fg%. That ain't chopped liver. There's a lot of Chuck-hate on the boards recently because of his Rocket-slamming tendencies. But let's not forget we're talking about one of the greatest players ever, especially for his size. And by the way, I love Rudy, but my vote for best coach goes to JVG.
I don't think you got my point, which was NOT to say Pippen is a better player than Charles Barkley, but rather to dismiss the notion that the more championship rings you got, the better you are, which I think is a rather oversimplistic way to look at players/coaches. I think this rule applies to the JVG/Rudy T/Larry Brown comparo. That was all, that was my point, not to 'hate' on Barkley, because I am not that type of poster, I think simplifying your feelings on one player/coach as 'love him' or 'hate him' tends to damage any objectivity one has, which is why I don't take that route.
I never saw JVG's greatness until the last 3 months. I saw Rudy's for 34 years. I love Rudy and I love the way JVG has us playing.
Oh, BTW, just for the heck of it, name those 8-10 players who are 'like' Pippen in history of the league, because I surely have never heard/seen them play. But may be I have missed them because I wasn't paying attention
You have to rate JVG above Rudy. I give you Rudy has won two championships. But I ask the question: Would JVG have had the same success with the Rockets if he had the same team? I say yes. The Rockets had a really good squad. If both Rudy and JVG would still have the squad the Rockets have last year, I think JVG's team would be far more advanced than Rudy's team.
Tisk, tisk, Tigermission...... Here it is I have endured your unwarranted plethora of posts of late and you turn on me like this? Hey, if you think Gumby is the better coach that's cool with me, but he still has to PROVE it. When and IF he does, I'll be right there with ya (in fact drinks are one me) celebrating my ass off
I really dont like Rudy's ISO system. He's coaching philosophy is kind of outdated, partially because of the zone.
Rudy won rings a decade ago and has been going downhill ever since. His isos were maddening boring and became much more ineffective due to less star power(Dream -> Francis) and rule changes. JVG hasn't won a ring but is upcoming. That's what matters now.
Oh no, Win, not at all, I didn't mean to come across as such. I think, as I have mentioned above, both are great coaches. And depending entirely on the situation at hand, I would pick one over the other. But not because of blind favoritism, but rather because I would think that each one can do a great job given the chance to coach a team that fits their respective systems/style.
None the less, I STILL look forward to that victory party. And damned, if it does not as appear as if the stars are falling into proper allignment. This team is on a SERIOUS role! "Welcome to the Machine" Indeed.
It's kool, busta_cap, it is not always easy to communicate across what one intends to say through computer communication.
I'm talking about great role-players... guys who rose above role-player status to almost become superstars ... usually in tandem with one or more actual superstars. Guys like James Worthy, Joe Dumars, Havlicek, Walt Frazier, Gail Goodrich and McHale, for instance. IMHO.
Both of them are good coaches. I give Rudy a slight edge in overall effectiveness. For those who think JVG is clearly better than Rudy (the "not even close" crowd), please tell me what Rudy could do with TMac and a 3rd year Yao. And whoever thinks that Rudy wouldn't make the Francis for TMac trade doesn't know Rockets history. Bottomline, Van Gundy inherited one superstar and luck into another. He has done a good job building around these two guys. If Francis were still running the show, we would still be sucking and JVG would still look clueless, just like Rudy's last couple of years. Again, let me say it again: It's the players, stupid.
