from raging fire Freak, I know you adressed this quote, but I have to respond. Of course Yao can be expected to improve significantly in his secon season - regardless if Rudy was still here - or now that Van Gundy is. Yao had unique problems coming into the league, and we're all aware of them. His training wasn't up to our basketball standards, his stamina was worse than most NBA rookies because of the constant playing and of his CBA coaches. His following the training regimen designed for him by the Rockets should help the strength, stamina and improve his vertical leap which had actually decreased specifically because of the training regimen of the CBA. That coupled with a year of experience, you've got to admit he's got a leg up on improving in his second year more than others in his draft class. We all know last year was ugly. I'm happy Van Gundy's here. Assuming a very talented 7'5 guy with more experience, more strength, better stamina, and possibly better hops, remains healthy and shouldn't hang a +3 in the win column no matter who coaches the team is ridiculous. I can't believe some of the b.s. backhanded slaps at Rudy that longtime Rocket's fans are allowing here. He's not the coach anymore. So any moronic dig someone want to get in here is kosher? You know if Rudy were healthy, I'd still be disgusted by a lot of this tripe.
Fellas I agree with Tom's overall assesement that we will be could be a 5th or 6th seed. But we are very YOUNG. I think we certainly have the talent to do big things in the future and making the playoffs would be a big step for this franchise next year. Van Gundy will make it happen I am sure of it. I dont agree with Tom saying that Golden State will improve. Arenas will leave and he basically was the engine for that team. So I dont even see Golden State as competition to us. Minnesota will be in limbo next year because of KG's contract issue and the likely-hood that he will not re-sign. I do indeed believe that Portland will also drop and Utah is gone as well. The Kings, Lakers, Spurs, Mavericks and yes the SUNS will be the Rockets cheif competition next year. We beat the Suns 3 times out of 4 this year and I think we have one HUGE advantage on the Suns and that is COACHING! Yes Frank Johnson I feel will get outclassed by the Van Gundy in head to heads this year and for years to come, not to mention the upside of Yao is bigger than the upside of Amare's and Steve will be in a more structured system and therefore will become more effective the Marbury(Who I still think is fantastic). But I like the Rockets future especially 2 to 3 years down the road. Post Shaq, and when the Kings get older, and the Mavericks I cant really see getting much better without getting rid of Finley and Van Exel. In the future folks I think the Spurs, Rockets, and Kings will be battling for titles. Lets go ROCKS!
I think that thios is a very accurate statement, and would pretty much be mine were I asked. What's more, based on our age, tendancies fo teams under new coaches, etc. I would go one step further... The most likely scenario is this: We will improve this year, probably a fair amount, then will regress the following year, before taking the big step in three...Factors which could differentiate us from the norm would be if we acquire a top flight player, or if Yao develops into one of the teop few players in the game in the next year or two. This is not crystal ball type stiff, just the standard pattern for young teams/teams with new coaches.
I guess I blinked in the early 90s and missed Tom Tolbert's playing career. The bio on ESPN has him playing seven years for four teams, most of them total dogs while he was there. What I'm thinking is that the resemblance between Tolbert's career and that of his predecessor, manslaughterer Jayson Williams, is far too great to be a coincidence. Both served without distinction as centers on dog teams in the Eastern conference; both have a sub-Barkley wiseguy patter that network types inexplicably find droll; both are dumber than a box of rocks. Talk about NBC (who originally hired Tolbert) not being able to think outside the box.
Bill James' Theory of Regression to the means...the common practice that young teams which show a vast impovement one year regress the second year, and it's a little over 75% probablility...couple that witht the same pattern with teas under vew caoches; significant improvement year 1, slip back a bit year 2, extreme improvement year 3...
I have no problem with what Tolber said. The 5th best in the league is not too bad. But, we still need to do the work. It's wont just happen because we have talent.
This argument in itself is ok. It is the double standard that some people have already placed on JVG that I have problem with. It's fine with me if Freak says he is in the group that holds the view: "players win games and championships, not coaches". It is the crowd that gives Rudy god-like status that bugs me. The crowd that claims it was Rudy and nobody else that won the 2 rings. The crowd that claims he was solely responsible for Hakeem's achievement, the one that asserts that Rudy should have a life-long tenure no matter what ... BTW, I am somewhere in between. I will give Rudy his dues but I won't put him up on a pedestal. Again, it's the double standard. People threw all the backhand slaps at JVG calling him quitter and such, did I see you jump in? I simply ask u to give JVG a fair treatment and the basic courtesy that he deserves. Speaking of long time Rockets' fan, I am almost certain I've been one longer than most of u here. I watched Rudy T, Murphy and Newlin played at Hofheinz, thank u very much.
from raging fire: Look, you are being reasonable, and I respect that. I don't know what Freak's position was on Van Gundy, but he was my second choice behind Brown, though most I really respect here I seem to think wanted Dunleavy. But you're not getting it, I did post somewhere I wasn't worried about his resignation from the Knicks in the early part of the season, but that's not what I'm talking about. You're equivocating defending a then yet to be hired coach for the Rockets with one who has already been displaced, and has two championships. Rudy's not an issue, it's the tripe that keeps getting thrown his way to support candidate X that's annoying. Look, I can see how Brown, Silas, Van Gundy or Dunleavy might be a much better fit for this team. If you've got a problem with some people's negative comments about Van Gundy, fine. I didn't make them. But don't use Rudy as a prop in the present for making any argurment you wish about the Rocket's future. I can't wait until someone starts a thread (and I'm not talking about you): Rudy couldn't coach Yao Ming. This team, we know, has some problems that aren't even necessarily about talent, and Van Gundy's likely to be very effective in dealing with them, but he's going to hit them. When the Van Gundy bashers come out, I will state my opinion. But for right now, I'm glad CD got his guy, not the one I thought he wanted that was still available, but I'm pleased. People need to lay off Rudy now, especially when they're just attacking some poster here. Rudy always drove me crazy as a head coach, but even what he did last year - minus 17 games - has probably benefitted the franchise. Simply because of random luck, or because, sometimes even in the most bizarre of ways, that's what Rudy T has always done.
I would be happy with baby steps... making the playoffs which in an of itself is a huge step. Having lived in Houston for the past 5 years and only going to one playoff game 5 years ago really sucks. Especially since I am moving in August to New York. Breaking news: Houston not only gave up a second-round pick for BVan Gundy but also me to boot. Hehe!
I only go back as far as the 75-76 season, before that I was riding my Huffy and climbing trees. I do remember "Hayes Street" commercials, though. That was pre-75. Heh... By the way, BobFinn* beats us both. I think he saw George Mikan play.
Good call Drew. He does get on my nerves sometimes, but I have to admit that he calls Walton out when Bill starts talking out of his ass.
First season for me was 74-75. I moved to Houston in Fall 74. Paid $1 to watch the Rockets play. I didn't expect you to go back that far. I mean for sure there are lots of fans around but not a lot of them post on this board, I don't think. BobFinn saw George Mikan, heh? That old giz. TV was in B and W then, I think!
It's cool declan. Sry to have made u or other Rudy's faithfuls a little ticked. U too were defending the man you love and I have to respect that. Let us agree to not throw muds either directions.
Way too much of the blame was laid at the feet of Rudy T. but it could be argued that too much praise was given to him as well. This team simply needed a different approach from their coach. Rudy was laid back and wanted players to figure things out on their own. Looking back, it is clear that is very well suited for a team with lots of experience but maybe not for a bunch of kids. His approach was like trying to teach algebra to first graders. They need to learn to crawl before they can walk. That isn't a shot at Rudy, just a stylistic thing. It's just about having the right guy for the right job. Plus, I think there is something to be said for change just for change sake. There are times when situations like these can get stale for the coach and the team and a change is necessary. it isn't anyone's fault. It's just reality.
