At first, I thought the question was until he's fired, but the championship, it'll be 3 years from now...I can't see us getting there without a quality PG and if we go toward BB, he'll want that 4 year contract and that is too much for a guy his age...
I saw we give him a long leash. He's done great so far IMO. Hakeem bringing Houston its first major sports championship will always endear him more than any other to Houston sports fans. Whether that translates to non-Houston Rockets fans, I don't know. Re: Yao, Hakeem took the Rockets to the promised land without another star player and I don't think Yao can do that. Even Jordan couldn't do that.
I'd say JVG's remaining years on his contract will be enough. Although I'd judge more on how we played as a whole than just a championship. For example, I wouldn't blame JVG if two years from now, the Rockets gets shafted in the playoffs the way the Kings did a few years back. On the whole Hakeem vs. Yao thing, I'd imagine most posters here would favor Hakeem. After all, he is this city's first superstar and delivered Houston's first sports championship. That said, if Yao can deliver on some championships, there's no doubt he'd be much more famous in Houston, and elsewhere for that matter.
This season: 50-55 wins, 6-7 game series in the second round of the playoffs. Any less than that and JVG should be out on the street.
You know... it would be an interesting showdown if this all blew up in his face. Tmac gets royally P.O.'d - argues with him, sulks, says he understands now how Francis hated him, etc. I bet Les would give him the boot if he was that stupid. But he might just be that stupid. Jeff needs to learn some people skills. I've got some pretty high expectations for this team, and he'd better deliver a team that works. If he mucks it up personally, with bad rotations or bad planning or destructive sourpussing, - out. I'll burn him in effigy myself. If he shows up to work excited about his plan and gets everybody to work hard together - great. I'll throw a JVG party. He'd better be able to figure this one out at least as well as Phil or Larry.
I'll give him a total of 3 including last season. Les Alexander will not be as patient with Van Gundy. He could afford to with Rudy since he had won 2 titles.
most players who've played for JVG love him cuz he loves to win and he's hardcore dedicated towards that purpose. even spree who had a horrible rep beforehand got along great with Van Gundy. So I don't think Jeff needs people skills or whatever. There's very few coaches in the league I'd rather have than Jeff.
Nobody will replace dream, if anything, Tmac and Yao could only reach his level of stature.... thats the thing, players that are so good they reach a category of their own. i hope in 15 years, people refer to tmac and/or yao that way. if they do take us to the promiseland... we're talking elite franchises in history..... like the lakers & celtics younger sibling
One scenario about Zen Master replacing JVG if JVG fails to take the Rockets to the top: http://www.***********.com/mcgrady-rockets-070704.shtml ...... "Van Gundy is a defensive minded coach who has now acquired one of the most unique offensive players in the game. Van Gundy is a dedicated, hard-working, successful NBA coach, but it still remains to be seen, if he can alter his coaching style and philosophy enough to fully exploit the talents of McGrady and Yao. If there ever was a future scenario that was scripted for Phil Jackson, this is the one: two mega-talents and a team just looking for the right direction. If Van Gundy fails, don't be surprised to see the Zen Master come back from his Montana ranch and take his place. "
well i think either Clutch or Doc Rocket (or maybe both, but since i can't remember it perfectly i don't wanna put words in their mouths) said pretty much everyone in the organization hates him, so.... i'm pretty sure someone said he got in a very heated discussion with Les one time, and being disliked by the guy signing the checks usually isn't very smart if you like your job.
If CD/Les feel like JVG isn't using the current team the right way or to their full ability, he will be gone. I have never been a JVG supporter, but I obviously want the team to win no matter what. However, I honestly believe that JVG isn't the right coach for the team. With T-Mac on board and a 3rd season Yao, we really need to start seeing some offense on the court, or atleast some balance btwn offense and defense. The last thing I need to see is T-Mac using all of his energy on defense, he is a scorer and thats what he needs to do. As stated above, I believe Les will not be as patient with JVG. With the team Les and CD has been able to put together, we need to win immediately.
Exactly, I don't get why people are comparing Yao and Shaq. Sure, Shaq is stronger, more dominated; but skill wise, Yao is LIGHT YEARS AHEAD!!!
http://bbs.clutchcity.net/showthread.php?s=&threadid=77112&perpage=30&pagenumber=4 It was Doc Rocket. The pertinent section is: == By the way, on a different note. He also mentioned that JVG may not be here after the next season. He didn't elaborate because we didn't really care to. However, I do know that last year JVG and Les got into a heated argument on the Toyota Center floor. JVG said that if you'd fire some of your marketing dept. and hire me some more coaches and staff, we'd be better and all this nonsense can stop (Refering to players having to do marketing and tv requests). Take that for what it's worth but I can tell you this, everyone thinks JVG is a complete A$$ and is terrible to work with. == I, for one wouldn't shed a tear if this were true. A refreshed Zen Master would be a good choice to take this club to the promised land...
it was not meant as an insult but you have to understand The Dream brought the 1st CHAMPIONSHIP of ANY KIND to Houston No football . . no baseball but the 1st Professional Championship in a time when we were DESPERATE for something positive was a MAJOR deal here in houston Rocket River
no no excuses If MO T's injury year and Steve's migraine year work against him then why should injuries give JVG a DO OVER? I want us competitive but i would hate the YAO and T MAC years to be like the STOCKTON MALONE years successful but ring less [I think Yao and Tmac FAR MORE TALENTED and CLASSY than that $##$$%@4] Rocket River
Coaches and owners are sometimes gonna have heated arguments over the vision and philosophy of the team behind closed doors, but if this alleged argument was public and the team continues to struggle offensively in point production with T-Mac and Yao and I assume a competent PG, then I could see Les pulling the plug after three years, unless we're near or in the WC finals and injuries hold us from getting to the finals much as has been the case with Sac the last few years (Webber, BJ, and Peja's ankle a couple of years ago) The possibility of key injuries will probably be a consideration if the team is a serious contender in the WC and if Jeff's offense takes advantage of T-Mac's skills and the team plays cohesively and meshes with Yao. If JVG's system smothers or r****ds T-Macs game and growth as a scorer and the team doesn't advance deep into the playoffs I could see JVG gone after two seasons. Remember JVG was not the first choice as head coach despite the spin the team put on his hiring (Larry Brown is who Les really wanted). Another thing that could hasten JVG's firing is if the defense slips significantly due to Cato's absense and the lack of a low post shot blocker and the lack of a really physical backup center along with a poor offensive showing in point production could mean the end of JVG sooner than later. If the team is winning ugly with low point production and playing smothering defense JVG's style would be tolerable, but a slip in D would make his style just plain difficult to watch. If JVG argued for more coaches I'd have to support such an argument especially offensive oriented coaches who could teach and install more fast breaks into the offense.
