the past few games have been much more fast paced and higher scoring. it looks like we are running when we can, and iso-ing tmac more. i will admit that i wanted him gone a while ago. however, if he can keep up the improved offense, and get some guys that can play D to compliment his system, he may actually work out here.
:::sigh::: it is pretty sad that a positive thread gets no replies. im sure if i started another JVG needs to be fired thread it would turn into a 5 page monster. everyone is complaining about the negativity around here. so i find something positive that people can talk about, but not one person will support a positive thread.
I see the changes. I am not sure how to take them yet. I'll have to wait until we beat some better teams before I jump on the uptempo-is-the-key-to-success-wagon. I do agree being able to play uptempo is important though, it could never hurt when you are able to mix things up. The only reservation I have about uptempo ball is our talent. Who do we have to run besides Tmac and Sura? When it comes to JVG, I have been preaching patience, it works both ways. Right now I'm not sold on his uptempo ball yet.
For some reason Sura kept stopping his dribble before he even got to the 3 point line against Charlotte. After his amazing aggressive performance against the Wizards he became passive again. This was really upsetting since I thought we clearly had a successful game plan against the Warriors. I've heard many quotes over the last few days about that performance. JVG, Howard, Sura, and T-mac have all said that they have been wanting to run more. I can only take this as hollow rhetoric or a flat out LIE because when your point guards stop dribbling 35 feet from the basket, you are CLEARLY not interested in running, or even probing the defense as it sets up. We still scored more points against Charlotte than our average, but I feel like we took several steps backwards. I posted it before... I don't think we are lacking in raw talent. We have quite a few players who can run: McGrady Taylor Nachbar Howard Barrett Lue Jackson They aren't Phi Slamma Jamma, but they can run. In fact, the only players we have that aren't capable of running are Yao and Mutombo, and like I've also said before, it doesn't matter. They should be starting fast breaks, not finishing them. Yao is an effective trailer, but anything else is gravy.
We had 81 points in the first 3 quarters against Charlotte, we had ELEVEN in the 4th quarter. The team ran until the 4th quarter then stopped. Guess what? We lost. Translation...RUN RUN RUN ...till your daddy takes your T-bird away. JVG took the car away in the 4th quarter, and they lost. He needs to learn a bit more I think. DD
Also, JVG had Sura guarding Brevin Knight tightly as if Brevin Knight is a good jumpshooter. The entire Bobcats team cannot make a jumpshot consistently, but JVG uses the exact same defense that he uses against good jumpshooting teams against bad jumpshooting teams. If JVG told the Rockets to lay off the perimeter and force the Bobcats to shoot jumpers, the Rockets would have won easily even with the Rockets' lack of scoring. Zone defense is not a sin.
Yeah and JVG also told Yao to foul out and Mutumbo not to box out Okufur on that last dunk to send it to overtime....geez Everything is not JVG's fault people.......how about putting some blame on the players and decision making and lack of execution.
Ya, the rockets games have been MUCH more fun to watch the past few games. It does seem like JVG is learning to allow us to run more, and have a more uptempo offnse. We should have won against charlotte, and we would have if not for some last second mental breakdowns. Running seems to be working, and I must admit that JVG has shown that he is a versatile coach who is willing to adapt to his players. I just hope that I am not speaking too soon.
I think Mr. Alexander or Mr. Dawson had some words with JVG and told him that if we are going to stink, at least make it fun to watch.
