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If you were Van Gundy, Would You Go to Cleveland or Houston?

Discussion in 'Houston Rockets: Game Action & Roster Moves' started by JuanValdez, May 23, 2003.

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Houston or Cleveland?

  1. Houston

    84 vote(s)
    76.4%

  2. Cleveland

    26 vote(s)
    23.6%
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  1. JuanValdez

    JuanValdez Member

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    Clutch is saying Van Gundy and Brown are the 2 main contenders for Houston's job. Some writers are saying Van Gundy signing in Cleveland is all but a done deal. If you were Van Gundy, where would you want to go?

    Cleveland has Lebron James and other young talent. Plus, they are in the north, and in the weaker Eastern Conference. But, they have a reputation and history of being losers and may still not have enough talent -- despite Lebron -- to get to the playoffs for a couple more seasons. Houston has more talent, including Francis and Yao Ming, plus a sterling reputation as a franchise committed to (and able to) winning a championship. But, they are in a southern city (whatever that is worth) and the tough West where we might not make the playoffs even when we're better than half the EC. Which situation is more attractive?
     
    #1 JuanValdez, May 23, 2003
  2. goophers

    goophers Member

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    Did you not vote in your own poll? I say Houston cuz Cleveland does not rock.
     
    #2 goophers, May 23, 2003
  3. A-Train

    A-Train Member

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    Well, Cleveland is cold and it rains all the time...Houston is hot and it's humid all the time...

    tough choice. ;)
     
    #3 A-Train, May 23, 2003
  4. zzhiggins

    zzhiggins Member

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    You gotta believe Van Gundys availiability had something to do with the timing of RudyTs leaving.
     
    #4 zzhiggins, May 23, 2003
  5. Severe Rockets Fan

    Severe Rockets Fan Takin it one stage at a time...

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    When JVG did his first Rocket's color on TNT he literally jumped out of his seat after watching Yao Ming play, you could tell he was VERY impressed with him. You think he's jumping out of his stair because he's wants to coach the worse team in the league that probably got better but won't see the playoffs for a few more years?
     
    #5 Severe Rockets Fan, May 23, 2003
  6. fadeaway

    fadeaway Member

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    Actually, it is. Some people like the cold.
     
    #6 fadeaway, May 23, 2003
  7. JuanValdez

    JuanValdez Member

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    Not until now. I won't vote in my own polls until someone else does; otherwise, it'll be too apparent which way I voted.

    Besides that, I can really see Van Gundy going either way. Joining a bubble team in the West is risky for his reputation. A cellar-dwellar in the East that just picked up Lebron James has no where to go but up. And, you can blame youth and inexperience for not doing better still. Besides that, you can have more power over personnel in Cleveland and the team probably has more flexibility too.

    Houston has big bright spots, but some problems. Even if he does well he might miss the playoffs in the West. The nucleus is set and well-entrenched. They've been playing together for a couple of years in another coach's system and will have to unlearn some things. They may also be more resistant to your authority because they are more secure in their own positions. Plus you may still have CD and Rudy T controlling much of the roster decisions, keeping you from getting the players you want. Finally, you'll be compared to a great previous coach whereas Cleveland has never had a good one (since Fratello :) ). To counter all this though, the Rockets flat-out have more talent (on the court and in the front-office), which is worth quite a bit.
     
    #7 JuanValdez, May 23, 2003
  8. A-Train

    A-Train Member

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    Believe me, I wasn't saying that Houston's climate is better than Cleveland's. Lord knows the humidity has driving more than a few people away from here...
     
    #8 A-Train, May 23, 2003
  9. dttd888

    dttd888 Member

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    Couldn't agree more....I think the Rockets realize they have to act quick if they want a chance to get Van Gundy. With Cleveland landing the rights to Lebron, their next objective is to get a great coach in Van Gundy, and they will move quickly to secure him. Like you said, the timing of Rudy's leaving is very suspicious. Les should be commended for making such a bold move.
     
    #9 dttd888, May 23, 2003
  10. x_trepidation_x

    x_trepidation_x Member

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    This is a tough question.

    For the CAVS,
    1) You have the prospect of coach the most hyped high school basketball player, not necessarily the best talent even in the draft
    2) Cav's will most likely not make the playoffs

    OR

    For the Rockets,
    1) You have the chance to coach a team that already has two superstars, who also happen to play positions that are the most difficult positions to fill
    2) Has a legit chance of making the playoffs

    Seems like an easy decision for any coach. The nation wide pressure to succeed in CAV land far exceeds the pressure to succeed as the Rockets head coach. Van Gundy already has lost lots of hair...why would he take the CAV's job?

    As a joke we could make a website similar to how the Denver Nuggets created to lure Gilbert Arenas...here is their website it's very creative. Check out the "DID YOU KNOW" Tab at the top of the webpage. Interesting stuff from the Nuggets fans and very persuasive argument for why Gilbert should leave the Warriors.

    www.gogilbert.com[/URL
     
    #10 x_trepidation_x, May 23, 2003
  11. x_trepidation_x

    x_trepidation_x Member

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    #11 x_trepidation_x, May 23, 2003
  12. Toast

    Toast Member

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    Even with LeBron James, Cleveland will still be counting ping pong balls at the end of next season. So if I were Van Gundy, I'd prefer Houston.

    Regardless, I hope he chooses Cleveland so we can get Larry Brown. If someone's gonna take up where Rudy T left off and build something positive, I think Larry Brown is our best option.
     
    #12 Toast, May 23, 2003
  13. Easy

    Easy Boban Only Fan
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    What do you expect, Juan. We are a bunch of homers. :)
     
    #13 Easy, May 23, 2003
  14. Nova

    Nova Member

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    If I were Van Gundy there'd be no question of which team.. Rox for sure.
     
    #14 Nova, May 23, 2003
  15. mishii

    mishii Member

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    I think most people have covered the reasons but hey does anyone know if Ohio has a state income tax :)
    Seems to sway some players.

    In all seriousness, I think Van Gundy has to look and say whether he wants to coach Lebron with all the baggage attached or not.

    I mean the Rockets have seriously got to look good to any coach.
    Two all-stars at the two hardest positions.
    Yao Ming after his rookie season (maybe some of the spotlight will now be on LeBron instead of Yao - give him a chance to concentrate on basketball)
    Barely out of the playoffs in a tough Western conference.
    Basically almost all the pieces are there for a playoff and future championship run.
    History of winning.

    And yes, I am a homer and biased Houston fan.
     
    #15 mishii, May 23, 2003
  16. Band Geek Mobster

    Band Geek Mobster Member

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    If Van Gundy wants to be challenged as a coach, then he'll join the Rockets and play in the West.

    If he wants a couple stress-free years, he'll go to the East with the Cavs.

    JVG comes off as a guy that likes to be challenged, so I think he'd want to step up and join the elite conference and go against the best competition. Also, Houston has the All-Star PG and C, probably the two most difficult positions to fill in the NBA, so it's not like he needs to stress on GM duties. All JVG has to do, is show his basketball smarts on the court.

    I'd be truly shocked if he turns down this opportunity to play with the big boys...
     
    #16 Band Geek Mobster, May 23, 2003
  17. YaoMing

    YaoMing Member

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    HOUSTON!

    And Ill tell you why....

    The Rockets are getting a new stadium and new uni's. The Cav's are only getting new uniforms. They might have the first pick in Lebron James, but the Rox have last years #1 pick in Yao ming AND an All Star Starter with Steve Francis.

    The Rockets are further along in their development than the Cav's. Not to mention our organization has history! The only history the Cavs have is...... ?????????????? lol
     
    #17 YaoMing, May 23, 2003
  18. ROXTXIA

    ROXTXIA Member

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    It is said that Paul Silas would be a better fit for Cleveland because he cultivates young talent better than does Van Gumby. Still, Van Gumby hasn't had that opportunity, so I don't know if it's a fair assessment.

    I might be way off on this (what else is new?) but I think JVG wants the Houston job.

    Last season, when he was commentator for Rockets games, I liked his insight into our players and how they could be utilized. I kept wishing he was our coach (sorry, Rudy T).

    All of JVG's positive comments about our organization, RT, CD...

    How he suddenly started interviewing with Cleveland (maybe to light a fire under Les? "If you want me let me know/If you don't then let me go/You can't take another minute/With a day without me in it" [rewriting Olivia Newton-John lyrics])

    If JVG signs with Cleveland, well, hey, I was wrong. But he has a better shot at winning now with us. And he needs to get the job quickly so that trades can be made (July being just around the corner).

    Edit:
    Post Script (P.S.): Of course, the Van Gumby negotiations with Cleveland might be so far along that Houston is not an option. IF THIS IS THE CASE, I would like to hire one of three coaches: Paul Silas; Paul Silas; or Paul Silas.
     
    #18 ROXTXIA, May 23, 2003
    Last edited: May 23, 2003
  19. arkoe

    arkoe (ง'̀-'́)ง

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    Anybody who votes in this poll has a predetermined bias...
     
    #19 arkoe, May 23, 2003
  20. GATER

    GATER Member

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    IMO, if Van Gundy chooses Cleveland over Houston, then you can be sure he felt the Rockets problem was players not coaching.
     
    #20 GATER, May 23, 2003
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