I'm still thinking in the present and love my hometown team, but the question still stands: is Van Gundy a right fit for Yao at this stage in his career? I ask this question because Yao seems lost and it seems to be a common occurence. Look at how Van Gundy has always surrounded himself with veteran, experienced players rather then keeping a good mix of raw talent as well. There has to be a reason why he's more comfortable with experienced players and I think the reason is he's not good at developing talent. As everyone knows, Yao in this stage of his career could become one of the most dominating forces in the NBA and he even seemed steered in that direction when he first started, but now he seems to have lost his edge and focus. Eventually, he may regain his focus, but whether or not he advances past upper echelon roleplayer status is based on the system and tutelage that he receives. Although I can't make excuses for Yao himself as a man because ultimately every man is accountable for their own development, I think one of the root causes may be the way in which Van Gundy handles his players. He's a tough hard nosed coach who doesn't take any crap and I don't see Yao reacting well with this system. This would be fine with me if somehow Van Gundy was a mastermind at the offensive and defensive ends of the spectrum, but I'm not impressed with the schemes I see. All I see is a disgruntled man with a penchant for complaining about a lack of defensive intensity. Ultimately, I can't see Van Gundy as a good fit to be the developmental coach for both Yao and Mcgrady and as much as I hate to say it, I'd rather see someone in the mode of Phil Jackson / Hubie Brown here to develop our young players. So basically my question to everyone is, with Van Gundy as coach do you think Yao will get that "rottweiler poked with a stick too many times" aggressive attitude or will he merely become a decent sidekick for McGrady? Also, as a side question, do you think the Rockets are winning based on a pure amassing of talent aka McGrady and company or do you think Van Gundy's system really works and is evolving into a winning strategy as the season preogresses?
Hmmm. An interesting question. It's never really been discussed here before, so I've never really thought about it.
WOW - you're a GENIUS !!!! Why didn't any of us think of this ?!?!?! seriously though, I am not sure that any NBA coaches are very good at developing talent. You've got some GMs like Bird and McKale that get out and work with the players (like Oneal and Garnett). And hubie was good and using his talent - but for the most part, these NBA guys are trying to get the most out of the players they have, not developing the players. If you want development in the NBA, then they need a farm system
If you made a shirt out of van gundy, Yao MIGHT be able to fit in, but the skin would show stress lines. Besides, it would be a waste of a van gundy, who is probably better for a bath carpet or something. Stan van gundy is fatter, so if he was made into a shirt or pants, Yao would have a better chance fitting into him.
I think the answer is no. I think it's worth firing Van Gundy to find out. At worst, what do you lose? Just another defense minded coach. Big deal. There's a million of them to replace him. There's such a huge potential payoff if we develop some young players, and so little is to be gained by just keeping him. We don't need him to flog Steve anymore. Steve's gone, Cat's gone, JJ's gone, Griffin's gone. We don't need Gundy anymore. He really doesn't have anything special to offer, especially if we need to recruit and develop some talent to go with Yao and TMac. Roll the dice, get Yao the best help we can find. A whole team of guys. Try to get the most we can out of him. It's stupid not to.
Too bad the Rockets threw away a coach with a history of getting big men to play to their full potential.
Really???? Can you name 5?? Because I can only name about 2 (and one of the is JVG, and the other is on a cross state rival not named Don Nelson)
I agree for the most part. While I would like to see JVG gone, I believe he has done a good enough job to atleast finish the season. But you're right. This isn't the same team that needed discipline. This isn't the same group of young guns running wild in the west. We have quickly turned into an old-old team that plays like an old team. Like I said, I think JVG has earned enough to atleast let him finish the season. FA's aren't going to flock to us, even though they should, that along with the potential of a non-JVG Yao Ming might be enought to can him. But I doubt it happens.
I question whether Van Gundy is the right fit for this team in general, but not if he's the right coach for Yao. As long as he gives Yao consistent playing time, he's done his job. It's up to Yao to improve his game and work on his weaknesses. We can't keep blaming coaches for players weaknesses. That's how Rudy ended up getting fired. He was the scapegoat for Francis' lack of development. Now Van Gundy is the scapegoat.
I think a better question to ask would be "Is Ewing the right fit for Yao?". Van Gundy has loosened up the offense, he has freed up TMac to do his thing. Now, I think he needs to free Yao up to create a little bit and get out of the Ewing mode. Ewing couldn't create anything. The reason I don't feel like Ewing is a good fit is because the only thing that Ewing can teach him is how to be another Ewing. I don't wanna see that myself. Ewing was a turn around and face up jump shooter and his range was about 12 feet. He was a good player and he played on a lot of talented teams that never won a title. But he was not a great player. He did not elevate his team to champions. If he were truly a great player, he would have. All the great centers did. What can he teach Yao? What has he taught Yao? Has Yao improved since Ewing's arrival or regressed? What Yao has learned from Ewing is a little more toughness in the defensive paint area. That's about it. Everything else has been a negative. Do we really need Ewing to help toughen Yao up? I say no. Larry Smith coulda done that.
defensive minded coaches? hmmmm.. lets see. JVG (whom we all love and admire right?) Stan VG (Ron Jeremy look a like) Scott Skiles GPopovich LBrown to name a few. alot of coaches want to come in and preach defense though I admit JVG seems to have defense (only defense) on the brain and would make a great defensive coordinator. I feel we need someone that can coach both offense and defense. That is excellent at defensive rotations and assignments but also a person who can draw up the last shot, mind numbing offensive sets that bamboozle the defense. Im not sure JVG is that guy.. great X's and O's guy but not much of a motivator and doesnt develop young talent. J
I am convinced that JVG is a great basketball guy. He is very smart. He appears to live and breath the game (like many of us.), but, no, IMO he is not the best fit for Yao. The debate is really over whether you believe that Yao needs positive motivation or negative (kick your butt) motivation. There are good points on each side; however, I believe that Ming's temperment and cultural background would best fit a more sensitive and caring style. Like John Wooden. We don't know what JVG and Ewing are actually telling Ming, but it appears that they are trying to force him into a role, low-post, inside banger, like Shaq. If I were Ming I would break out into my game to prove that I don't fit the role. If Ming can show them he can do better at his game, they will accept it. TMac appears to have done exactly what I am suggesting.
Ironically the best fit for THIS team would have been Rudy T. We need a Phil Garner type to get this team motivated. DD
It seems that Ming has been doing that in the last 3 games by taking advantage of his outstanding high post game and mixing it up with his low post moves, and the results have been very encouraging. People still believe that high post game for a center is the wrong way to go. However, when Yao played against Orlando last time, he was very very aggressive in the paint. However, it did not prevent him from nailing some mid range jumpers and long jumpers. I mean, if Yao can do that on a daily basis, he is unguardable and it also makes his low post games easier for him. If JVG does not even allow Ming to use his high post games on a frequent basis, we need to fire him. Otherwise, he is fine.
Solid, Yao was not able to (or did not have the permission) to use his high post moves on a frequent basis until in the last three games. Actually Yao had not made an open 18-22 foot jumper this season before the game against the Pacers. I still think that the problem was caused by the brace. But if it were because that JVG was too stubborn...
Fa7999, Interesting take. Hopefully we will see Ming break out into a more finesse game. Of course, as my sig. suggests, a really athletic and aggressive PF would help his game immeasurably.
JVG isnt the right fit for this team. they're attempting to remake it in his image with the over 30 players they've brought in. however his two top guns would've fared much better in Rudy's system
