Thanks, but I want to point out that anyone can listen to 610 live, I just signed up when I read this thread and listened over the internet. Here is a link to 610 I live in Austin myself..... DD
Thanks for the updates DD. I wish I could listen in, but my boss would kill me at work for doing so. I'm happy that JVG is sounding optimistic. It is certainly a refreshing change from his usual negativity.
One negative is it's Monday morning on John & Lance's show. Instead of following up the interview with 30-60 minutes of Rockets talk, it's back to 100% Texans and beating the David Carr issue into the ground the next 9 hours until Matt & Adam. But it was a good interview nonetheless.
So I guess Bullard got it wrong when he said Novak would not be a part of the rotation to start the season. Why am I not surprised? He doesn't seem to have any clue what's going on with this team. Every preseason game, he was like .. "Hmmm, it's strange that Juwan Howard hasn't gotten much playing time in the preseason. I guess Van Gundy just wants to get a look at the younger players. You know he'll be there when the regular season starts."
Correct me if I'm wrong, but that sounds like Hayes,JHo and Mutombo are manning the 12-14mpg (or so) backup 5 by committee (depending on opposition). wow. So that's eventually going to include Bonzi, for essentially a 9-man rotation with Novak the backup PF. wow. Yao Battier TMac Snyder Alston rotations sound like 5--Hayes, JHo, Mutombo in different combinations as backup "5 by committee" 4--Novak 3--Bonzi, Battier 2--Bonzi, Head, TMac 1--Head
HP, That is exactly how I read what he said.......I would hazard to guess that Hayes will play the most out of the "five by committee" rules, but will be limited in matchups with size etc. DD
That rotation isn't too surprising. We knew that Luther Head would likely be the primary backup PG, and it was clear that Novak was the primary backup PF judging by the preseason. Van Gundy has made it pretty clear that he wants 3-point shooting at PF. Other than a few times playing Hayes at PF, he's pretty much exclusively used 3-point shooters there throughout the preseason. And, judging by his comments in the Chronicle throughout the preseason, I agree that Hayes will probably be the primary backup C unless the matchups require Mutombo in there. I don't anticipate Juwan getting many minutes at all ... Van Gundy has said that his primary strength is mid-range shooting, and we don't have many sets where we get the center that kind of shot.
I expect he'll have a minimal presence in the rotation. The way Bullard, Drexler, and Worrell talk him up, he's still a 25+ minutes a game player for this team, which is ridiculous.
so he said that he doesn't think the best European team won't make double digit wins in the NBA? double negative = positive or what does he mean?
Well, the Grizzilies are the closest thing we have to a Euro team, and look at their win/loss column. I know they suck in the playoffs, but still...
From what JVG said in todays chron article, it sounds like Padgett might get a fair amount of time at the back-up 4 spot as well.
I agree that is what is sounds like VG said. However, wasn't Hayes on the court with Yao some in pre-season?
I think Van Gundy is the personafied pheonix. He was basically destroyed last year after having to go through his worst season as a head coach, and out from the ashes is a new and improved Van Gundy. He isn't concerned about playing the old veterans and washed up ex-Knicks. Rookies are actually looking to get some needed playing time, maybe enough that they can put up some stats to get on the All-rookie first team (Has a 2nd rounder ever won ROY, or at the very least made it onto the first team??). Heck, I've even seen Van Gundy smile a few times. The plain fact that he's actually willing to play Hayes, one of the more energetic hustle players that the rockets have, in some quality minutes is proof that this season should be more fun to watch. I'm looking foward to game day.
