Last season we had less depth, which I assume made dividing playing time easier. It will be intresting to see this season how JVG divides playing time while maintaining peace and chemistry. I guess that's why he gets paid the big bucks.
IMO, the challenge last year was much bigger because we gutted the team. It took a long time (plus some trades and a JVG/T-Mac heart to heart talk) to find a rhythm and philosophy we could settle into on offense. This year, there is no total makeover and all JVG has to do is build and improve on last year with the better players with have. This isn't a simple task, but it's easier than last year.
I think this is now where the REAL job begins. With the tallent we had last season and the way the team was placed...his job last year was to get the team into a position where it could ready itself for a title run in the future. Now its a case to taking the next big step, the hardest step to take. To go from being a good team to a TRUE contender.
The way that he coaches makes everyday a challenge, total dedication, he worked as hard as he could last year. That being said he will do so again this year, and in doing so, he will be successful.
He's got a championship caliber team.. Gettng to the second round of playoff isn't even acceptable. How's that?
JVG will have a challenge in terms of that he has so much depth...consider that Barry may be the 3rd or 4th guard off the bench ...this team is missing NOTHING...one would think that with all the depth, dishing out PT may be an issue, but JVG goes by on who is playing well...so that wont be an issue...the only challenge I see JVG having this year is injuries...
Sura being injured makes this challenge a little easier. Alston will start, no question. Either Wesley or Anderson start at SG; the person who doesn't start will play backup PG. Barry will play backup SG and spell Tmac at the 3 for a few minutes. Head might get some spot minutes. How is this hard again? BTW, I really miss Sura. I watched the first preseason game and we're missing something without him, even though he couldn't pass. Hope he's ready to come back soon.
One benefit of all this depth is that we won't have T-Macs or SFs or Cats playing 40+ minutes a game like he's had to do these past 2 seasons. If Luther/Baxter keep doing what they've been doing it will help JVG spread out the minutes and hopefully keep the guys fresh and less prone to injury. His challenge is living up to the expectations now, after seeing these 2 preseason games, I think second round is a lock and I think we can compete with the Spurs.
