Ok. Maybe Some People Just Don't Get It.

Only 2 coaches is this league do.

So what's your point?

 

My point is that Van Gundy is gonna have to make some adjustments to his coaching style to win it all. Pretty simple really.

 

Why do you keep talking about Parcells? The NFL is not the NBA. One is a coaches' league, the other is a players' league.

Also, the number of people 'railing' on Van Gundy is small. You should be happy that he doesn't get blasted more, considering he replaced a legend and the record is the same.

 

JVG was brought in to do 2 things. Dicipline the team, and win more games. Honestly, right now, he has not accomplished either. Our record is the same, and we arent diciplined on the court, or for that matter, off the court now. I think we have shown flashes of both, but RIGHT NOW, he has not exactly exceeded expectations either. So i will back up Freak and say that be glad that we havent had more bashing regarding JVG. Things might change by the end of the year. But right now, we are no better than last year. VERY inconsistant....

 

I'll admit that I was really excited about JVG coming to Houston, but now I see why everyone was talking about him being overrated.

You make some valid points Almu, but the fact is that our record is about the same. Along w/ that, he almost tore apart this team, or is still working on it.

Yes, he is a great defensive mind, but at what cost, the worst offense in the league? I'm not blaming it all on JVG, but it just seems he's a little whiney. It just seems like he does a lot of blaming when we lose and takes a lot of credit when we win.

I don't know, maybe Cato needs to get into a brawl or something, I need some emotion in a coach. JVG, get a tech or something when you see Yao getting hacked. I agree we are soft, but it seems that JVG is just as soft as the team he coaches.

 

1. I think the team is better than last year. The record is about the same, but some of our better wins this year just look superior. Last year, it seemed we only won tough games if someone got really hot. Now, Houston can win even if one of the guys doesn't get ridiculously hot.

2. JVG is a defensive wizard. It's painfully obvious that not only is he terrific at defense, but that he sacrifies it for D at times. On a team like that, to go far, you need a guy who can always score. Houston does not have that player right now. Francis has his 3 for 18 games, and Yao struggles immensely with double teams. Moreover, we lack the shooters that are necessary in a half-court game.

3. Before the critics can be really "right," and not just naysayers, I think that we need to see what JVG can do with the personnel he wants. The bad thing about that, for me, is that he prefers a different sort of player than me. But if you hire a coach, you have to trust him to win with his system. If he can get results with "his" players, then it's a good hire - if not, you try again.

 

We're 2 games better than last year at this time.

Good post montgo, couldn't agree more.

 

First, there will never be another Rudy T. in the Rockets' organization just as there will never be another Dream or another Moses. So, I personally gave JVG a clean slate on which to write his own story. He is only beginning to do so, and there are many characteristics in his coaching that I really like. I want to see where he will take the Rockets.

I understand what Rudy accomplished, and I remain forever his fan. I do not like to read remarks disparaging to his abilities, character or actions because that is part of the Rocket past and not the Rocket future.

Second, there have been some major disappointments (like Eddie) and many minor disappointments (like Steve missing the flight and Yao Ming's lack of aggressive play). However, after the national anthem is played, that is my team on the floor for which I either rejoice or agonize. I do not understand a SOF or a YOF.

Yes, I too sometimes play the "trade" game because it's a little like playing fantasy basketball. However, there are very few trades proposed that I would actually do even if I had the power.

Third, I do not agree that the team is soft. They could not be the leading defensive team and be soft. Sometimes they are unintelligent. Sometimes they are lazy. Sometimes they lack focus. If they could forego these lapses, they would be world champs by June. But sometimes they show us some "stones," and that's why we keep watching.

Almu, you post with words of iron. However, you must remember that most of the board's proposed trades and proxy coaching decisions are not borne by reality but by temper.

 

I'll put this nicely. This statement lacks truth. Van Gundy has not tried to take a lot (or any) credit when the Rockets win.

Don't make stuff up. He does call a spade a spade, and so you could say he does a lot of blaming, even though it is deserved. To say, however, that he has tried to take credit for the wins is pure b.s.

 

Van Gundy is an excellent defensive coach but is below average on offense. The intensity he brings takes away a lot of the 'looseness' on offense, and replaces it with self-consciousness.
This isn't all bad however, because we will be geared for playoff ball, which (for a variety of reasons) is where offensively oriented free wheeling carefree teams usually fizzle - ie) Dallas almost getting swept by Portland last year, the Rockets sweeping the Magic in 95, etc.
Bottom line - It's uglier this year but defense is what wins playoff games (assuming we get there). Give JVG a chance.

 

The difference is that Jason Williams ALWAYS was a passer first, and Steve has NEVER been a good passer.

Jason made his turnovers on trying fancy passes, Steve makes his getting out of bed in the morning.

DD

 

"He will coach the way he wants to coach. I will play the way I want to play".---Stevie Franchise

Is he really willing to adapt?

 

Almu is the da bomb

re Francis... change isn't always easy and it isn't always overnight, especially if the way you used to do things is only way you knew

 

Well said, jopatmc.

Making a wrong decision is understandable. Refusing to search continually for learning is not. Hopefully, they both are willing to keep learning, learning each other, learning the constructive ways to build the team better, the player better, and the coach better as well...within our patient period

Sure, learning is not compulsory, but neither is survival.

 

Because Parcells would let his players go to the superbowl

 

Yes! I hear the "Hallelujah Chorus" in my mind.



The street goes in two directions people.

I'm in the 8.x% of those in favor of JVG leaving... I'm a minority, and I have a right to be.

 

What you said it's certainly true. However, these over-paid average talented new york knicks display far more discpline and much better execution than the wild talented bunch we have.

 

Were the Knicks JVG coached really average talented as much as just better at team cohesiveness?

I hardly recall Ewing as "average," even by the numbers in his latter career he was better than "average"... No comparison in Dream terms, but better than "average."

I would consider a team that is the best in the East (although it is the East) better than "average."

I also know that Ewing did not carry that team, as Dream carried his.

Our "wild bunch" needs more understanding of what the word "team" means. They need more team cohesiveness.

 

Great Stuff once again Almu!!!!

Hope the kids are well