You don't seem to understand Nike's point - you brought up Martin as an example of Adelman molding a good young player. Nike brought up Luther to show that he and Martin had very similar production during their second years. Both you and Nike agree that Martin is better than Head...so how does that prove any point about Adelman and grooming young players? It doesn't - that was Nike's point. Next, this is awesome: Yes, JWill matured so much that his playoff production with the Heat was not really better than his first playoff appearance as a King. Here is the mature Jason Williams: 9 ppg, 41% FG, 27% 3FG (4 attempts per game), 3.9 apg in 29 mpg So stellar that Riley ended up using Payton more in crunch time towards the end of their run. So, again, bad example you tried to make there as Sacto has no reason to ever be surprised or sad by how well JWill has turned out.
you are way off here. you apparently didn't realize sacramento's team was stacked with 10-11 players that could play on any other teams. Did you forget we only had a 7.5 man rotation. How could you play wallace if he was the 11th man? So yes, we should flame jvg for not playing snyder.
Rockets fans are split on the decision to fire JVG and that's understandable. When the season starts and the Rockets are winning fans will move on. The team will get better. The GM and new head coach both agree more pieces around Tracy and Yao are needed. If we can draft a good PG I think we'll be on our way. I know a PF is also high on the wish list, but a PG is more important in my opinion. I know some would love to see V-span work as our PG and that wouldn't be a bad thing if he did play that role for the Rockets.
DD....I didnt say every player thought he was the best.But look at the players you listed who didnt like him. Most are nuckleheads who dont like a tight ship to be run.I would have a higher opinion of Yao and tracy or shane type players on a coach than a guy who lied so he could miss a team flight to go to the superbowl. And Clutch when the games were horrid to watch...It was always the players not playing well and missing shots that caused that, not really the coaching in my opinion. I love this site and the people on it so everyone keep it up. Sumo out.
Here's my last word on Van Gundy. His style wasn't the prettiest. Only to those of us who found beauty in smothering the life out of an opponent. He had the best statistical defensive team in all of basketball and this was in a league where the only player on his roster who could match up with the new wave has seemingly lost more athleticism in the past 2 years than he ever had to begin with. I would much rather have a coach whose system can shut down or atleast compete with the other team with the least impressive athletes on the floor. That means that it's only talent setting them apart from the top at that point. Some might say he drove talent or youth away or made no effort to aquire it because he preferred his "type" of guys. I call BS. We know for a fact they tried to acquire Brandon Roy. We know for a fact they tried to bring back Mike James - twice. We know for a fact they had interest in Francis if he was bought out and also the year before through trade with Orlando (ESPN reported this). He welcomed in Bonzi Wells and gave him a chance to do something. He gave Slow-mile numerous chances. Chuck Hayes and Luther Head, rookies, albeit untalented, got chances and made the most of them to the tune of securing big roles on the team the next year. So what's the excuse now? Van Gundy worked with what he was given. It's laughable that some are now hailing the trio of Novak/Wells/Span as some sort of trio of prodigal sons who will finally get a chance and as the symbol of injustice which Van Gundy allegedly epitomized. What a joke. Did noone see these guys play? They were awful in the chances they got. They didn't play for a reason. Perhaps with a year under their belts, Span and Novak can contribute this upcoming. Perhaps Wells actually comes into camp weighing under 300 pounds this year. We're all hoping they can help out this year but there's no way in hell any of you here can say those guys were ready last year and then blame it on Van Gundy in trying to make them out as martyrs. It's funny that Van Gundy can't coach offense yet their offense was a thing of beauty the second half of 2005. Funny how that happens when guys actually make shots. Funny how it's on Van Gundy when usually reliable 3 point shooters went cold in this year's playoffs against Utah. Funny how he's helped turn Yao Ming into the most dominant inside force in the game by force feeding him in the paint, something most thought could never happen after his first year. And now the majority of you are peeing in your pants over the prospect of having him set up at the free throw line and throw passes. How ironic. I guess the grass is always greener on the other side. I think Adelman will do great as head coach. The team will push 60 wins and probably make it to atleast one WCF before his tenure is up or T-Mac's back goes out (whichever comes first, likely the latter). But it won't be because his style is so superior to Van Gundy or he's a superior coach. It will be because management will actually make some changes worth a damn this offseason and he'll reap the benefits of a team on the cusp of breaking through the door, only a few peices away. They'll probably get the Mike James they wanted last year or sign the Steve Francis that wasn't available before. Or they'll trade Battier for someone more explosive and they'll be on their way to topping the 52 wins this team posted with a injured and flawed roster. But it won't be at any fault of Van Gundy's.
