Every rumor must be posted - Rockets good option for Van Gundy

Just wondering, have Smith and Boylen been assistants on other teams, or have they been Rudy's assistants since Day 1?

 

Rudy used to get the most out of his talent, but how do you explain the 98 team that had the most double digit losses of any playoff team? Howdo you explain a player like Pippen standing around the perimeter waiting and waiting like Matt Bullard? its easier to motivate older guys because they know they only have so many chances left, but young guys think they have forever to get it right. This is where he's had his problems.

 

As long as we're brainstorming about new head or asst. coaches, why not the Jazz's head coach or John Stockton. Despite the Houston vs. Utah rivalry, it seems like this team has had the best big man+point guard combo in the last 10 years. Maybe one of them could teach SF and YAO to play together better. I've only seen the Rockets consistently use the pick-and-roll in late in the game situations, and it usually seems to work. This is a key play for fundamentally sound basketball teams (which we are obviously not....yet), and could be used to our advantage nicely. Don't get me wrong, I hate the Jazz more than any other team out there. But like they say "If you can't beat 'em, join 'em.

 

Jeff, in terms of high profile, I agree, but just in terms of good assistant coaches, I disagree.

When was the last time any assistant coach from the Rockets was mentioned as possibly leaving for a head coaching job. Not since Rudy took over. On the other hand, you have assistant coaches at Dallas, LA, SA, New Jersey, Utah, etc. - one or two always getting their named mentioned once or twice an offseason.

 

Not to rehash old arguments, but statistically, this is not what Rudy had Pippen do. Look at Scottie's 3 point attempt history, etc. Certainly, he shot some ala Horry, but he had the ball in his hands as PG/SF a whole lot that year. It's just, he wasn't that great at it (see last Rockets possession in the postseason).

In either case, I agree that Rudy doesn't run good systems.

 

Lol, just what I was thinking. Of course, I think the answer is obvious: the reasons Van Gundy gave for not being interested in New Orleans were fabricated or at least not the ones at the top of the list. At the top of the list must be that Hornet ownership is stingy. They won't pay to keep the best players and, perhaps more importantly, won't offer Van Gundy the kind of money he commands on the market. They are probably only willing to pay half what Van Gundy is worth.

Alexander on the other hand is willing to pay for talent and is willing to pay well for a good coach. So, that shouldn't be a problem for him.

As for the assistant coach debate, I doubt anyone here is really very good at evaluating the talents and abilities of assistant coaches. We have some sense as to the reputation of some assistant coaches, but that's about it. Really, you don't get much opportunity to see what value an assistant brings to the table because it is hidden in the work of the players and of the head coach. Can you really say of your own knowledge that Boylen isn't as good as Del Harris? I don't see how you could.

 

Don't know that Van Gundy would want to walk into
this situation... I'm sure $$ might change his philosophical
objections, but nevertheless...

Here's a quick article from Late Feb. from David Barron in the
Chron:

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Remember when TNT analyst Jeff Van Gundy used to coach the New York Knicks? Remember what would happen when a call went against him? Remember his patented pained, petulant, disbelieving pout?

If you think Rudy Tomjanovich is what's wrong with the Rockets, Van Gundy is looking at you in the same way this morning.

You could practically hear the disbelief oozing through the phone line from Washington, D.C., Thursday when Van Gundy was told about the growing legion of Tomjanovich naysayers.

"Have they forgotten 1994 and 1995 (the Rockets' NBA championship seasons, for those of you who have)?" he said. "I've watched the Rockets for a long time, and I know three things. They have a championship coach, which is hard to find. And they have a point guard and a center you can build around for the next decade, which is hard to find. And they have a general manager in Carroll Dawson who is astute.

"So, to me, they have everything they need to rebuild. That's what they're going through, and over the next decade they're going to reap all the good things that come through rebuilding, because they're led by Rudy T and Carroll Dawson, and they've got a great point guard and a great center."

And so, Van Gundy said, it is "foolish" to rail at Tomjanovich as the Rockets go through their growing pains in the first year with Yao Ming in the lineup.

"You can't speed up the maturation process of players. They come at their own pace," he said. "Steve Francis has developed, and Cuttino Mobley has developed, and they now have an inside presence that will be dominant. There will be bumps in the road, but look at how much the team has improved. All I see is upside."

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Cuban, the odd ball, has been the resurgent behind the Mavs' resurgence. He deserves kudos.

That said, he appears to have a ball being odd.

Assistant coaches and the Rox? Boylan may be experienced, but his face is not fresh. He does not have an NBA pedigree.

I truly believe NBA pedigreed assistants would benefit the program. Mike Evans, late of Denver, perhaps? Mo Lucas, from Philly, perhaps? Guys who can add to the Rox mix, and possibly be in line for bigger and better?

 

I believe Cuban's comment was that it's stupid to not have a team of top quality assistant coaches that can give each player quality time when they only cost a small fraction of the player's salaries.

 

Anyone who thinks JVG is less than totally professional in his public comments about any other NBA coach or player isn't understanding the meaning of the word "professional". Here are some JVG quotes:

"Glen is a very talented player. Much has been written about his last year with us. Glen performed very well for us last year. When he started for us he played well, and coming off the bench he competed at a high level in the playoffs."....

"I think he is probably much happier in his role there (Houston). He was great for us last year. I have nothing but good things to say."

This is what JVG said about Glen Rice...a player he argued with over playing time and eventually traded.

Here's a quote about a Knicks bench warmer...

"I love Othella Harrington. That guy to me epitomizes what a professional should be. He may get overmatched some nights size-wise and not have the numbers that he had tonight. He comes out early, he works at his game, he plays every night with heart and passion. I think we as a group can learn a lot from him."

People, if this is what Van Gundy says publicly about Rice and Othella Harrington, what would you expect him to say publicly about another NBA coach? C'mon, the guy had enough class to tell the Hornets "No thanks" in advance.

 

re: gater
JVG needs to give lessons in *non* trash talking to Kevin Garnett and Tracy McGrady.

 

Tell me where he is wrong? He pointed out the ups and downs of Othella. He didnt say he was the second coming of Barkley, in my humble opinion he gave a good evaluation of Harrington. I will even go a step further and say, he really didnt put Glen Rice up too high. Again, I think he gave a politcally correct answer, but he didnt go overboard on either guy.

Thank you!

 

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/inside_game/marty_burns/news/2003/05/12/shootaround_0512/

in an aside:

What’s this about the Cavs wanting Jeff Van Gundy to teach their young players? Van Gundy might be a good coach, especially on the defensive end, but he’s hardly known for grooming young talent. His Knicks teams were stocked with veterans.

 

Contrary to popular belief, I want the best of both worlds.

I want Rudy to stay, but I want him to change; stop being so conservative in his offense, i.e. boring and predicable.

 

Everyone wants the best of both worlds, but I think it's clear that we'll, unfortunately, have to pick and choose.

I really can't imagine Rudy being any stricter or hiring any more competent assistant coaches.

As for a better system, I'm 100% sure he's already begun worknig on that, and we WILL see a new and more complex system. However, I'm not sure it's enough. I'm not sure that he's the best coach for a young team, and I worry that the players aern't developing without a more disciplined system.

 

I just hope Rudy doesn't just "give the ball to Francis/Yao" and have them go one-on-one while the rest of the team just stands around. That's Rudy's style. His excuse has always been, "It's all about match-ups." Yeah, right. More like Rudy is a simpleton and hasn't shown the capability to design a dynamic offense (that uses Francis/Yao's ability to make their team better).

A "stand around" type of offense might satisfy the "Francis/Yao-only fans," but not me.

 

I agree. On the other hand, I want Francis taking WAY more shots and Yao taking WAAAAAAAY more shots. However, I'd like this to be done in non-Iso situations.

Doc's all but confirmed Rudy's coming back, so I guess all we can do is hope that Rudy works something out that's good for this team.

I hope that he gets the perfect system in place, then trades for a couple fo players that would fit that system, and we go into training camp, with Yao, and implement it. I don't want to see Posey standing on the 3-pt line, I don't want to see Yao wasting 90% of his energy fighting for position, I don't want to see Cato in the high post, and I dont want to see Rice posting up anymore. I think that a Sacramento system is PERFECT for us now. Yao can operate in the high post, and so can Mo to some extent. Francis is a slasher, he plays Bibby's role, and we have Posey playing Christie's role, and sutting to the basket. Some pieces are there, others can be acquired. Whatever the case, I just want to them to win and be entertaining.

 

Exactly! The moment that Francis or Yao put the ball on the floor and start dribbling, the *other* players should start moving/cutting.

So, it's more of "getting what the defense gives you," rather than just going one-on-one for the sake of one-on-one (or shooting more).

It's sweet science if you think about it.

P.S. Mobley and Yao should trade stats/touches.

Yao: 17.5ppg
Mobley: 13ppg

This is hard for Rudy, because Mobley thinks he's the "star."

 

That's exactly my point about Mobley. I'd love to give him the 6th man role, or maybe even starter but 4th option, but he's not willing to take it (from what we hear).

We need our starts taking more shots, but we need everyone else tripling their help in the offense. Posey should cut more, and everyone else should be mroe aware of setting picks and getting open. I think that Boki could be a HUGE part of our success. The main things you hear about him are above average 3-pt shooter, cuts to the basket with LONG strides, good passer, handles the ball well. Those are great qualities to have, IMO.

I guess we'll have to wait and see. I can't believe we have to wait MONTHS before the SUMMER LEAGUES even start, lol.