If Hakeem can teach Yao the Dream Shake, can't Calvin Murphy teach Luther Head how to dribble? Doesn't Calvin already have a camp somewhere?
I also agree he overplayed his hand. I think one of three things happened, and these are just hypothesis on my part. 1. JVG did not sign an extension because he was seriously considering leaving, and when the season ended, he was still unsure - and this uncertainty helped the Rockets move him out the door due to differences with Les. 2. JVG did not sign an extension because he really did not want to coach the team any more, but knew that if he quit again it would damage his reputation and therefore worked it to where he was fired, which saved him from being labled a quitter.(Personally, the most unlikely scenario IMO). 3. JVG did not sign an extension because he figured his value would be higher after the season and other suitors might be in the mix. If this was the case, he seriously overplayed his hand. Either way, JVG had the chance to sign an extension and chose not to, the firing (bungled or not) was sort of irrelevant in that the writing was on the wall. I personally believe it was option 1.....and that Les was willing to put up with JVG and his personality characteristics because he was winning, but it was fairly clear that Les did not like a lot of what JVG was doing and when JVG opened the door on the possibility of not coming back.....Les gallopped through and trampled him in the process. DD
This is a ridiculous hypothesis. I'm sure there would be other teams lining up for his services had he made himself available to the free agent pool of coaches. I think his agent probably got some calls but probably drove them away since Van Gundy does not have any team that suites his needs. - Orlando, wants an up-tempo offense. - Indiana, they just fired Rick Carlisle, similar philosophy to JVG. - Charlotte, Jordan loves hiring old friends and continually failing as a GM. - Kings, have been interviewing a bunch of asst coaches, doesn't seem to be going towards getting a veteran coach. Etc. Besides I think JVG loves picking his situation. His only coached two NBA teams. He's had success with both teams and I doubt he wants to get himself into a rebuilding situation or in a situation where most players would not suite to his puppet needs.
How much playing time do you think Jason Williams would have gotten under JVG? I'd guess 30 games and in garbage minutes only.
You contradict yourself over and over. You start by saying Luther sucks and cant dribble. Then you critcize JVG for not playing our young players when Luther who you claim sucks is clearly our best young player. Is he supposed to play Novak, cuz you would claim Novak cant guard or defend to save his life, is he supposed to play JL3 cuz you would say all he does is shoot and get posted up, is he supposed to play Vspan cuz you would say all he does is jump in the air and turn it over. Then you give a pass on Wallace cuz he was under developed on a talented team. In case you didnt notice the rockets were pretty talented this year winning 52 games. Why is it okay that Wallace wasnt developed by Sac, but you flame JVG for not developing who on this roster, Snyder? Then you credit Jason Williams for maturing and winning a ring. Dwade won that ring. With the way Dwade played last year Alston as the starting PG for the Heat would be wearing a ring just as easy as Williams. JVG did a great job. I hope Adelman comes in and does a better job.
Im sick of all these know it all people on here who think Van Gundy sux. I would trust all the players opinions about him being their best coach ever. Rather than all these armchair Gm's on this board.Van Gundy is one of the best coaches in the league and his team just lacked some talent depth and some mental toughness when it counts.he did a fantastic job while he was here and I think the only coach who has done better for the Rockets is Rudy and he had the freaking dream!!
Not all players say that, Steve Francis, Cuttino Mobley, Bonzi Wells, V-Span...lots of players don't really like him, and he was voted the coach that most NBA players would least like to play for..... I don't mind people saying he was a good coach, but at least be fair, not every player likes JVG. DD
It doesn't change your point, but I think Carlisle was fired for personal reasons. And then their first choice as a replacement was SVG, who although his offenses have generally looked better than JVG's, they certainly coach in the same style.
Don't think SF and CM hated Van Gundy much. They hated being traded mostly. A headcase with problem with under multiple coaches and a rookie who is running back to Greece with tail between his legs? I'd take the opinion of Pop, D'Antoni,Tracy, Adelman, Juwan, Yao, Barry etc to be more credible.
Chances are, if NO moves are made this offseason, the Rockets will be about the same as they were last year - good, but not great. If they stay healthy and make no changes, they'll probably win 50+ games and go to the playoffs, probably getting a first-round exit. Let's say for argument sake that happens. Personally, I'd rather watch a team that is fun to watch do that than watch a team coached the way JVG did it. No offense to the guy, but there were games last season that I just tuned out. It was, at times, just hideous basketball. Now, if we're winning significantly and a serious contender like the Rockets were in the first championship season, I'd be more than happy to see Uglyball again. But, failing that, I'll take the entertainment. At least it's interesting to watch.
Ditto. That sums up my feelings exactly. All things being equal, I'd rather see games that are 120 to 110 than 80 to 70. Watching Gundy ball is like watching a soccer team milk a 2-0 lead after the half.
Oh really? And Cat: Plenty of people do not like playing for JVG, it is disengenious to say everyone loves playing for him, because it is just not true.....some players love him...Battier, Barry....others hated him...... Same as on this BBS. DD
