Prediction : Lakers will have better year than the Rockets

You have got to be kidding! We won two champoinships with Akeem in his prime and Michael Jordan playing baseball. It was not because of Rudy.
The players like Rudy because he lets them do what they want ALL THE TIME. Do you remember when Barkley, Pippen and Akeem were in a huddle on the side? Rudy was lucky if he was included in the conversation.
The Rockets went nowhere with Rudy for a lot of years after the champoinships. It is hard to say if it was all his fault or Dawsons.But he has to take a lot of the blame. The truth be told Rudy held onto his job three years longer than he was entitled to.
The Lakers are going to be lottery team next year under Rudys guidance. Kobe will want to be a one man show and Rudy will do nothing. He is nice guy, but as the saying goes nice guys finish last.

 

Dude, what the hell are you talking about. We lost to the Lakers in 5 games in the first round in 2004. Are we talking about the same Rockets here or are you referring to one of the CBA teams?

 

If that was sarcasm, I just got it. Otherwise, refer to above post.

 

Yep....JVG finishes with a 50 win season, BUT wins 6 or 7 of the 2nd round!? Keep him!

It's going to be interesting how well the first half of the seaon plays out. And then, the second half; chemstry wise and Yao-Ming-Endurance-wise. Hopefully we get some momentum late in the season going into the playoffs. Even though we were to "only" achieve 50 wins (some would consider that not good enough and would want him fired).

 

How was Rudy supposed to get last year's team to the playoffs?

Van Gundy didn't 'get them' to the playoffs. Making the playoffs depends on how well other teams do. 43-39 would have been good enough last year- it wasn't the year before. Any coach would have gotten the Rockets to the playoffs last year.

 

Why do you think that was? Let's see- what was different last year from the previous 4 years? Hmm. Before you answer something about Francis 'being forced to learn team ball', or some b.s. like that, let me remind you that the records were nearly identical the last 2 years.

 

Okay, then let's go by what Rick Adelman, head coach of the 'team that plays the game the way it's supposed to be played' Sacramento Kings says about Rudy. If you'd like to know, check the jacket of Rudy's book.

 

See Larry Brown's comments re: Lawrence Frank.

 

TheFreak, a lot of what you say is true.

1) You need a competent/capable coach
2) And you need competent/capable players

If any of the above are not availible or missing from the equation, then it would be hard for ANY particular player or ANY coach to get anywhere (playoffs or higher record).

And I'm sure you know my position on this. IMO, Francis AND Rudy were holding us back. If I had to pick ONE to stay, it would have been Rudy coaching McGrady/Yao and get rid of Francis. But we got the "best of both worlds (IMO)." Both are gone! Great! Now we'll see how well JVG -- without Francis -- and WITH McGrady/Yao can do. This will be the first time -- in a while -- we have a team w/OUT Francis (whew!). So, JVG can't be fired for the same reasons that Rudy got fired for. That wont be an excuse anymore.

This will be the REAL test! This is a perfect opportunity for JVG. The ground work has been laid. If he can't get THIS team deep into the playoffs, he'll be fired sooner than later.

Any of the "what ifs Rudy this, or Rudy that..." above are hard to prove. Thus, we'll never know. But JVG has the opportunity to prove a lot of nay-sayers wrong this year. And it would put any speculation about Rudy (and Francis) to rest. Especially if we get get 53-55 wins or so (and get deep into the 2nd round).

P.S. Here's one for all you Rudy fans: Francis was making Rudy's job harder. And in a ironic way, got him fired earlier than if he hadn't been here -- even though, personally, I would have wanted Rudy gone regardless.

Rudy does best with mature/seasoned players. Not green, immature rookies. Guess what? He'll have one: Kobe. It's going to be interesting how they mesh. I'm sure that Kobe is tired of Phil-ology and is looking forward to a freer, more open, coaching style. This wont be the "Kobe" that we knew his first 2-3 years. He's been around and knows a few things. Which will make Rudy's job a lot easier.

 

It is not sarcasm. Just follow the freaking link, and look toward the bottom of the page.

 

Oopsie. Clutch made a booboo.

 

Why would we even want to get rid of JVG?

JVG is a "collegiate mentality" coach who has made it work in the NBA.

He brings the Tracy McGrady and Yao Ming era Rockets prestige and a confident strength that not a lot of NBA franchises can say they own.

Think about it. IMHO - we are currently ran like a college team similar to Duke. From JVG's system, to his narrow-minded ways of doing things his way, to keeping "his type of players" around, to making sure his current players are keeping theirself up during the offseasons. Van Gundy is giving this organization an identity that great legendary teams have.

With Yao and T-Mac as the 2 Superstar players, JVG is absolutely the right man to guide them to a wealth of success.

 

So does any coach with Hakeem Olajuwon in his prime win an NBA Championship? IMO, more than likely.

 

If Michael Jordan is playing baseball at the same time? IMO definitely.

 

Alright then, I guess you've made your knowledge of the Rockets quite clear buddy. Big fan huh?

 

Hey, I don't dispute that. 'It's the players'. That's the whole point.

 

Because (IMHO) he is an average head coach whose offensive schemes are poor, can't make adjustments, and can't consistently get the most from his players (both stars and role players).

The fact he often acts like a prick and makes it clear he has no interest in the community makes it easier to not give him the benefit of the doubt.

 

Somebody doesn't understand what the winking smilie [ ] means. Been on the Internet long?

 

I thought you were just happy to see me