I don't remember yao's fearless and stupid phase in his rookie year. I don't think many rookies go through that either. They just go through a stupid phase or skip it completely.
I totally agree with you. He is so afraid and nervous not to make a mistake that he did not even make some lay-ups against Cleveland, that he would normally do with closed eyes. It's a pitty...
Ummm....just about every starter in college basketball plays with confidence as well. Then, they get into a faster, stronger, more talented league where everyone is as/more athletic and talented as they are and then confidence wanes a bit. It's totally natural. Just because V-Span was confident in Greece doesn't mean that he will be the same player here at first. I think what pisses me off about this thread is not that V-Span is looking a bit lost (he is, and he will snap out of it as the season wears on and he gets more comfortable with new teammates and the NBA pace), but that you actually blame the coach. So I guess if he played for Pop then he would be averaging 20 and 10 dimes? Please think before you start a thread. And no, I am not a huge JVG fan at all...but a lot of posters here, especially the new ones, seem to believe that everything is his fault. And yes, JVG did pay Dikembe $2000 to elbow T-Mac. He doesn't want us to win games
geez. (shaking my head) So, when VSpan starts playing confidently and well, and especially when he says how great a coach JVG is, I EXPECT you to start a thread saying how great JVG is. I think JVG makes a player like VSpan better. VSpan is having to adjust to a new culture, language, style of play, atheliticism, players, system, etc. He's learning SO much. Yao didn't even score any points in his first game. Look at him now. VSpan is tentative, fearful of making mistakes, because he's been making so many mistakes, and as a good player should, is trying to improve.
Tonight against the Warriors JVG let V-span have a good tongue lashing twice on camera. V-span had this look on his face like "Oh God what did I do now?" I wish JVG would take a step back and let these guys learn the game without all the yelling. V-span is already going through a tough transition without JVG getting in his face every time he makes a mistake. What's funny about the whole thing is on one of the gripe sessions T-mac had just turned the ball over and JVG doesn't say a word to T-mac.
No... what's funny is your ability to channel every member of the Rocket's "feelings, and thoughts" just by sitting at home on your couch and watching them during a timeout. That's an amazing talent.
God I miss the day when men were men and fans don't cry their eyes out when the coach raises his voice at their favorite player.
For the record I'm not a complete JVG hater. I'm more or less on the moderate negative side as far as what I think of his coaching ability, and even good leaders make bad decisions. I happen to think JVG makes bad decisions on how he handles his rookies including Novak and V-span. Young players need confidence to be successful and I don't see JVG’s method instilling confidence in these young players. I guess JVG feels he must tear down these guys before he can build them up again with his drill sergeant ways. I don't believe the tearing down process is necessary.
Why don't you do yourself a favor and let this thread die a natural death? The quicker people will forget....
Why don't you start up another JVG has a positive effect thread and breathe new life into this thread. How did that thread get 3 stars?
Does JVG ever yell at veterans with more than, say, 4 years experience? That's my problem with it. Popovich will yell at anyone on the Spurs, including Duncan. But Van Gundy seems very selective about who he'll yell at. At least publically.
His sample size for developing rookies, as the Rockets coach, consists of ONE... Luther Head. And I'm pretty happy with how Luther Head is playing right now.
I agree with you on Head, but he never would be this far a long if it wasn't for the injuries last year. Head proves my case because he was given playing time so hence he developed into a nice player. V-span and Novak need the same chance to develop. JVG is giving playing time to V-span to his credit, but why can't Novak buy 10 mins a game?
Don't forget that JVG initially said Hayes was to small to be a PF and didn't he get sent back to the Developmental League? Hayes won JVG over with his play and I'm glad he did because Hayes is a difference maker. He's a great compliment to Yao.
