I don't recall any exchanges in the media until Spanoulis started b****ing and pouting. In fact, the same coach in the same year did not go after the other rookie, Steve Novak, who also did not play, but did not b**** about lack of PT.
It doesn't matter, you never berate an employee or underling, that is just inexcusable. Here is a guy who came to the country to play ball, from a different culture with some talent. IMO, he was completely mismanaged......by the situation and coach.... Tons of players complain about PT, without their coaches tossing them under the bus. It was a fairly crappy thing for JVG to do.....unwarranted. And I don't blame JVG for the whole thing, V-Span could have and should have acted more professionally...... But a head coach should be the bigger man......and just say that he understands and it is just frustration.... But 2 wrongs don't make a right. DD
You don't even know the whole story. He could have been extremely disrespectful behind closed doors, you never know. Vspan acted like a superstar from day 1, even though he hadn't earned anything in the NBA. The guy was just a spoiled, cocky brat who thought he deserved PT just because he was good overseas. Spanoulis was making such a big deal about his lack of playing time that eventually everyone got tired of it. Sure, JVG could have avoided making that comment, but I see nothing terribly wrong about what he did. That loser was given a lot of chances, but all he did with that was b**** and complain, then later on he'd claim that he schooled people in PRACTICE. Scola was better than him overseas, yet worked hard and produced in the minutes that Adelman gave him. He has done a lot more with his opportunities here. I don't feel bad for Spanoulis at all, in fact, I'm glad he's gone. What a brat. (Btw, just my .02 on the matter, nothing against you personally Dakota)
The point is that JVG should have been the bigger man, a person in charge does not need to make himself look bad by berating an employee...ever. DD
OK, say he didn't berate Spanoulis publicly. What would have happened then? He still wouldn't have played him because Spanoulis showed that he was too stubborn to adjust. All he did was complain. JVG's comment (and overall handling of Spanoulis) certainly wasn't the issue with regards to the Spanoulis fiasco. Why should the coach have to adapt his system, and his team, to a rookie who thinks he's better than he actually is? IMO, most of the blame for Spanoulis' failure has to go to Spanoulis himself.
Both the coach and player in this instance were out of line.At the same time though,Spanoulis needed the ball in his hands to be most effective,to create.The guy was not given a chance as a pure point,which he is....not a spot up 2.JVG,I believe thought our margin of error with the injury situation at the time was unacceptable to let Billy grow.Besides in our system either Tracy or Yao were going to initiate the offense. But he got us Scola so whatever.
JVG should have taken him aside and let him know discreetly that complaining in the press is inexcusable, and explained that if he wanted to play, he would need to improve on : A. B. C. etc..etc..etc... Basically been a good leader. DD
I wish some of you overseas guys would get some internet phonage (skype etc.) It would be cool to hear yall represent on the show and all of Houston sports radio would be shocked by the 'amateur jornalism' of Clutchfans
DD How do you know that he didn't do that first, then tried something different when that didn't work. JVG is broadly liked by the people who play for him.
Can someone point out when JVG publicly berated Spanoulis? I remember a blow out game where Spanoulis played wild and careless in the fourth quarter. And that was just after reports of him complaining about not getting more playing time. JVG made some reference to that, without specifically naming Spanoulis, in the post game. He was clearly irritated about it, and rightfully so. Is that what we're talking about here? In the history of player-coach feuds, that's pretty tame if you ask me.
The whole "He was TMac in Greece" thing was JVG making him look bad. As I understand it, V-Span went to JVG to talk about his role and how he was being used. Basically saying that like Tmac he had the ball in his hands in Greece and that was how he was most effective. V-Span never said he was Tmac in Greece....and on top of that when they traded for Jake Tsakalidis, JVG said that now Billy can have someone to b**** to at the end of the bench. Just mind boggling that he would say that..... Poor management, IMO. DD
DD, at the time that all was coming out, I thought that it was an example of V-span starting something (going to the Greek press and expressing discontent about his role, while personally maligning JVG) and Van Gundy finishing it (the T-Mac in Greece and Billy b****ing comments). In retrospect, JVG could and should have kept those comments in house. But I can understand why he went public. If the "keep it in house" code has already been violated by one party, there is not a obligation by the other party to honor a broken compact. I know you hated the way JVG handled that (and you let us know in no less than 500 posts on that subject alone), but it seems there are two sides to the story...which is done. We have Scola now...so I laugh about the situation all the way to the win column.
Fair enough, as you have said it has been discucced Ad Nauseum......and no need to derail this good thread with that tired argument any longer. DD
IMO, that was just him looking for comedy in a bad situation (in the middle of a playoff race, and some rookie who has not played well is pouting and complaining about playing time). He likes to make jokes with media, which is evident from his radio interviews or commentating on tv. It didn't seem mean-spirited at all to me. And the line about Billy b****ing to Big Jake on the bench was hilarious. Lighten up.
You guys need to listen to the podcasts, especially Clutchfans hour 3 at about the 1:49 mark. Link to Podcasts And I still want LAST week's MP3s.... DD
Wow, back to V-Span who brought back Scola. So, what can be so bad? Now, back to V-Span who, in one unconfirmed report, wants to return to the NBA. Does he get an offer from an Adelman coached Rox team? Was there an agreement with Spurs that if he returned he would not be signed by Texas' top team (yes, I mean the Rox)? If he re-signed here would he get any more e-ink than he still engenders? So much ado (and it's not even about repatriating Freddy ).
Yep, I think an attacking PG, that can finish at the rim and plays good aggressive defense and is 6'4" to boot would be awesome. V-Span under Adelman would flourish...IMO. People are tired of that argument etc...but for the record, I have not changed my opinion ONE iota about V-Span, always a believer still am.... He is just not on this team anymore.... DD
