Let me start off by saying that I know we are a much better team than our record indicates. We are probably even better than last year's team, since Head seems capable of filling in as the third scorer that Mike James was, and we gained depth at the point guard and power forward positions. Having said that, I don't know if we have improved enough to beat the Spurs, either this year or the next two years. Of course T-Mac coming back will solve a lot of problems. His return will probably immediately propel us back into elite status. But his absence has also highlighted many problems in our offensive system, Yao's game, and skills of our role players. We're getting tons of "fire JVG," "trade Yao," and "Swift sucks" threads. I just want to get a head count: How many think we have a fundamental barrier to winning a championship, and how many think it is Yao/JVG/Role Players' fault? If you think we have more than one problem, please vote for the one you think is the biggest.
think the fundamental barrier is definitely Yao right now then again... the role players aren't helping much either aside from head
definitely Yao right now question is indeed, has he peaked or can Yao still mature as a player? it might not be the most horrible thing in the world if he has peaked, but it doesn't look like Yao's that superstar we all thought he'd be.
The fundamental barrier to making babies is the diaphragm. The fundamental barrier to winning championships is the inability to win. Mr. Miyagi may be dead, but his spirt lives on b****ez.
Offensively, we indeed need a penetrator, a slasher, like Dwade, Parker, Kobe..., Manu.. We always rely on our outside shots and post up play of Yao. Defensively, we need the basics, hands up and move your feet and little bit of hustle.
By next year, most of our creaky old guards will have retired or moved on. You do not assemble a team via free agency and win a championship overnight. That is why we need to be realistic. Yao may be the 2nd best center, but it is showing that we cannot build around him. We need much more talent a la Dallas or San Antonio before we are true contenders. Luther Head is a start. What we need to do is say NO to 34 year old guards.
The problem is that our team is built to win NOW. We don't really have any projects with tremendous upsides except for Head. I know things will get better once T-Mac comes back, but he will be playing way too many minutes for us if we need him 200% of the time to carry the team.
The problem is really a combination of a lot of things. The way this roster is structured and the way this system is structured requires that Yao be more than he is capable of being (Shaq-like dominant) in order for us to have even a chance of being a contender. Our lineup needs to be more balanced like the Pistons and Yao's role needs to be reduced. We need to find 3 clear cut starters to put next to Yao/Mcgrady that are unquestionably the best player at their position (on the team).
Once T-mac comes back we will be fine and gel in Dec. All of this will be a distant memory. The floor just opens up a lot more with T-mac on the floor, I'm still hopefull
great thread vwiggin, I think it's the role players we currently have. JVG has taken teams deep into the playoffs before, so I don't blame him as much
I hate Van Gundy with a livid passion, but Yao and Tmac can win even with an evil troll like him glowering on the sidelines. Right now, they don't have enough in the supporting cast.
I would add another poll option for the question of "fundamental barrier to championship?": 'Not making the playoffs'
I think we win it this year. I always believed one piece was missing. A Shooter. And now he have him. Mercy. If Luther head starts at the 2 we win the championship this year. But Van Gundy has to have the guts to do it. I don't see how he can deny Head. He rebounds, he drives, he shoots, he passes. The flaws are minimal. He's a third scorer to relieve pressure. And he can get his own shot from anywhere, sort of. Not as good at that as James, but certainly capable. The injury to Alston probably saved the whole season, the whole team, and will take us to new levels if Van Gundy has the guts to start head. I also believe that starting Swift is the right move. All our guards can rebound fairly well. Including T-Mac. So Swift is a limited liability. Starting him would help the overall athleticism and help us get easy baskets. But don't consider it as critical. Howard is acceptible at times. Which is all you need from a 4th scoring option. The bench is average. But has moments. And that is good enough. It's not a horrible bench if you leave them one superstar or scorer on the court. Its when you leave them with nothing they peter out. Like I said. I think we can and will win it all this year. Head saved the whole season. He was the missing link.
Thanks. People tend to forget that JVG's teams are built for the playoffs and not the regular season. I sometimes forget myself, so it is nice to be reminded by fellow fans once in a while. Way to look on the bright side. I think all the injuries have forced JVG to experiment beyond his comfort zone, which can only benefit this team in the long run.
I agree with you about Rafer's injury. Moving Luther into the starting lineup has been critical for this team. I disagree about starting Goofy. The last thing we can afford is dumber play at the beginning of the game. We have enough trouble starting games as it is. Unlike most of you, I don't think playing Yao and Goofy at the same time works that well. Many of us want it to, though.
I'm not sure if Swift is up to the challenge. But isn't this a good time to experiment with these lineups? We know what we're going to get with Howard at the PF. Let's take some risks and see what we can get with Swift in the starting lineup. It may not help Swift's game, but you never know until you try it for 10-15 games.
