You have to remember, two images of Elie are burned in JVG's brain. The first is Elie in a Rockets uniform jumping up and down after winning his first ring while JVG was an assistant with the Knicks, and the 2nd is Elie high-fiving Duncan and Robinson after helping the Spurs win their first ring in 1999 while JVG was the head man. It'd be like Jerry Sloan hiring Steve Kerr or Jordan as an assistant. Maybe the memories are too painful. Just thought candy to chew on.
just think...maybe this time elie may be jumping and high fiving van gundy after another championship... "if you cant beat em' join em"....or in this case have them join you....
Ive been e-mailing Gina Gaston congratulating her on having her triplets, and asked her if Elie was thinking about working with the Rockets again, and she said he was looking to be an assistant coach. Doesnt mean anything, she didnt give me a certain time, but hopefully in the near future. (For those of you who dont know, Gina Gaston is a News Anchor for Ch. 13, and is married to Mario Ellie.)
Last I checked, Elie had nothing but bad things to say about the Rockets organization and how they handle players and personnel. I haven't seen him say anything contrary since leaving the Rockets, other than the PR catch-phrase, "It's a business" and similar remarks.
I think Mario was a little bitter with the organization after he left. I remember him wanting to beat the Rockets badly when he was with the Spurs. But all that is water under the bridge now, and if Mario wants to come back to the Rockets then I would be glad to welcome him.
I don't recall us getting anything when Elie left. Why not? Mario Elie. Sorry. I appreciate the role he played in our championship runs, but he got his due for that. I don't appreciate the way he treated us on his way out.
I think Elie would make a good assistant coach and should be welcomed back to the organization if offered the job by Van Gundy. Elie played with thoughness, he had heart and leadership on and off the court as well as being vocal and fiery. Yeah he said some bad things about the Rockets when they let him walk as a free agent but he loves the organization and was disappointed that the Rockets showed little interest in him. He's a true competitor and there's nothing wrong with showing emotion for being released by an organization that you busted your ass for. The same organization that Fired Rudy who is battling cancer and going into a new stadium that he helped build along with Hakeem. This is the kind of player the current Rockets are missing and sorely need. Maybe his guidance can have an impact on the team.
Seeing the way the sports world tends to work, Elie won't get hired because he would be such a plus and very helpful to the team, therefore all logic says that such a positive move cannot be made because pro sports teams never get everything right. We already got Van Gundy, all that good fortune negates the hiring of a good assistant like Elie.
Elie is concerned with one thing -- Mario Elie. We already have a problem with our guards being selfish with the ball. We don't need a self-centered headcase like Elie further polluting the water.
