Watching the game tonight it seemed as though the ABC announcing crew - particularly Doc Rivers - was praising JVG's coaching style. Rivers in particular addressed the offense issue; saying that he loves the defensive mindset Gundy is installing, because it is what wins championships. That the adjustment is hard, but eventually they'll buy into the system and from that the offense will come around. Is he right? We've seen posts blaming SF, we've seen posts blaming Yao, we've seen posts blaming our lack of forwards...but is it possible that it's the change in the system that's affecting all our players, creating the ugly ball we've been seeing as of late? Have we just not had the patience required to wait and see the system take full effect? Granted, Van Gundy created a lacking offensive team in his Knicks. But at the same time, he didn't have Francis, Mobley, Yao or Taylor. Guys who aren't exactly defensive locks. And yet we're among the best in the league; isn't it good to have a team that we know can shut down the opposition? And, after all, sometimes defense does win championships. Was the performance against the Lakers - and perhaps some of our early season wins - just a fluke, or a sign of what could eventually take shape?
I definitely think it's a a sign of what could eventually take shape. We aren't going to win every single game...but I think we are going through surgery..and being revised..and we will have to be patient! We are showing many signs..last week..we were awesome on Friday. We have the talent. We just need to be consistent..but each opposing team plays differently and we need to perfect our style...I still think the Rockets need a stable forward..Jackson and Taylor and Cato have been great and Ford and Padgett are nice backups as well..but we need a guy who can make the open outside shot and play hard. If we are motivated and try and desire to win, we can!! I liked how Doc Rivers talked about us a lot.
Yes, I think this is a picture perfect game of how this team can play, offensive and defensively against a superb basketball team. It shows that JVG's system works and that it is successful if ran right. Hopefully this does wake up the players and allows them to work harder and show a stronger commitment to the system.
I don't usually post stuff like this, but Jack Ramsey said on an ESPN NBA show early this year that it can take up to a YEAR for a team to get comfortable with the system of a new coach. He said that it is particularly a problem on offense because new systems tend to emphasize different strengths and put players in positions on the floor they aren't used to. Take Steve Francis. They guy has always gotten into his shooting rhythm a certain way. Van Gundy has asked him to alter that, shoot from different places on the floor, shoot without his normal crossover, etc. It can take guys quite some time to learn how to play a whole different style of game. Yao has NEVER had to bang this much on the low block in his life. It leaves him fatigued and makes it difficult for him to play a lot of minutes. He has to respond and react to double-teaming defenses he's never encountered by players who are stronger and more ahtletic than he's ever seen. Guys like Mobley and Taylor SHOULD adjust faster on offense because they are spot up shooters. Guys like Francis and Yao need more time because they are changing their games more significantly than anyone else. It's also the reason why defense was taught first. Great defense will keep you in games when your shot isn't falling and they've had to lean on it. Now, put together great defense with better shooting and, suddenly, you have a very good team.
People forget, it takes about half a season for a team to really get a system down, and about a year or so to perfect it. I've heard coaches say that all the time. I remember the year the Lakers won the title it actually shocked Phil Jackson because he thought it would take a year for the Lakers to really learn the triangle offense.
I've been thinking this for a while. I'm certainly not giving up on this season, but I've never expected for JVG to take us all the way this year. Not with all the changes, a slow start due to suspensions and injuries, and the loss of our star forward. There's a LOT of great free agent talent that's gonna be available for us next season, and once we're a little more familiar with Gundyball, I think next season will be a LOT better than this one. Rox gave us one helluva Christmas present tonight, though! -- droxford
No Kidding! If only the Coogs had beat the Rainbows, it would have possibly been my favorite Christmas on record. I agree that the Rockets could someday play like this every night. I don't think they'll do it this season. Pretty much every guy on our team stepped up huge tonight, from Jackson to Cato to Yao to Francis on down. I think the real key was the team's energy. It was clear from the get-go that the Rockets wanted this win more than LA. Often, that can't be said about our guys. I was ecstatic about this win not just because I hate the Lakers a whole, whole lot but because I want the Rockets to get a taste of big games. I want them to get addicted to it, crave it and be willing to do anything to win the big ones. I want that energy level to be sky-high every night. I'm planning, no BETTING on the Rockets playing some more TOTALLY unwatchable games this season, heck, maybe even next game will be terrible. But it was great for us fans to catch a glimpse of what the Rocks can do on their best night and even better for the Rockets themselves to see it.
I always thought coaches say the "it takes a year to adjust" as a way to increase their job safety. As in, if the team is underperforming 65% into the season, they have the "we still haven't perfected MY system" bargaining chip. But then again, Jack Ramsey has no reason to say it, so I don't know. I think as we get more players that Van Gundy picks, we'll see more of the offense that he wants. Personally, I think everyone surrounding Steve and Yao should be spot-up, catch and shoot, hard-cutting, hard-screening players. We don't need anymore penetrators or post players. Just shooters, jump shooters, and make sure these people can screen and cut.
