Van Gundy that funky Gundy Van Gundy Gundy that funky Gundy The Rockets got their man, at least that is how it seems He must have had a good answer for quittin' on his team Now the players and the fans can get on with their biz since Gundy chose the Rox and not those loser Wiz Steve, Yao and the crew like to get funky They better clean it up underneath Van Gundy Van Gundy that funky Gundy Van Gundy Gundy that funky Gundy He's got a big head - it looks like a hairy egg but if you take a swing at Yao, Gundy will hump your leg they got the big name that Les was talking about Now we, as fans, are obligated to shout Van Gundy that funky Gundy Van Gundy Gundy that funky Gundy Work is a bit slow today.
He may have been the Rockets' first choice, but he wasn't mine. However, now that he's on board, I'm all for him. Bring us back to the top, JVG!
... and the previous two full seasons? _97-98 New York 43 39 .524 98-99 New York 27 23 .540 OK, I take it back. I should've said a whole lot of .550 basketball. This on a veteran club led by Patrick Ewing. The title of this thread claims gaining JVG is the same as "a lottery pick." Going on his four most recent complete seasons (with a veteran Portland club), Dunleavy produced .561, .700, .720, and .610 seasons as well as a conference finals appearance in the WEST. Blame Mr. Alexander for that one. He fired a perfectly good head coach in favor of an "established winner."
Sorry to burst your bubble guys but he's not the second coming of Vince Lombardi. I don't remember this kind of a housecleaning happening in NY when he took over; anyway, Marcus Camby and Allan Houston, who aren't exactly tough as nails type players, both flourished under JVG.
98-99 wasn't a full season, and Dunleavy had a lot more talent to work with. If you think Rudy T. was perfectly ok then I guess you are hoping for more Steve and Cat isolations.
Cuttino playing 100 minutes in a wheelchair does not take his "soft" image from him. I am talking "David Robinson" soft that he will also have to shed with a ring. I am talking about "jacking up a shot with 4 defenders and two people off the bench guarding you" soft that comes from mental weakness. I am talking about "blame the refs for every damn thing" soft. I am not talking physical. What CAN'T this team do physically? This team is as good as any team with the horses we got. PHYSICALLY. And... Whether its 540 winning percentage or whatever...people that know and coach say Van Gundy with Patrick Ewing would of had the Spurs SHAKING IN THEIR BOOTS in 1999. The coaches around the league know this man can coach. Or don't you hear what they say about Phil Jackson? You believe that, don't you? Well, these same people who knock Jackson for not building teams praise Gundy for molding them and getting the most out of them. Brown is the same coach except he is 20 years older. But listen. I am the biggest Van Gundy fan. I won't lick his boots anymore after this post. Just remember what I am telling you when Yao knocks Kobe to the floor just when Kobe thinks he got himself a pretty dunk. Just remember when Francis hounds Nash up and down the floor causing him to turn the ball over countless times. Just remember when Cato blocks 10 shots in one game or Eddie Griffin has his first triple double. Now...don't remember me if none of this happens. My name is Lhutz then.
I just saw the Beastie Boys play this weekend at the Field Day Festival at Giants stadium. Your remake brought a good chuckle.
Hmm...you're kinda right about Cat being mentally weak. But not really. I guess.....he's arrogant and cocky and stubborn. I hate it when he "jacks up shots with three defenders on him"!!!! And he's always complaining. But Steve complains more than him....what's the difference? They both are whiners. One is a wannabe star though. And one makes like 3 times more. Mobley isn't going to be traded! I think Van Gundy likes him. No major moves! Maybe Gary Payton..
I'm not sure why I'm replying because I think the Van Gundy is better/worse than Dunleavy has been discussed so many times already. In any case, it's not fair to compare both coaches if you look at what Van Gundy worked with vs. Dunleavy worked with. Why do you think Van Gundy is such a sought after coach and Dunleavy is not? Considering the personnel he had, the guy did a stellar job. I think Dunleavy is a good coach, but many around the league felt he underacheived while almost everyone in the league felt Van Gundy overacheived.
My preference was for Dunleavy, but that's really irrelevant. My point is that JVG is an adequate head coach, probably better than the mean, but nothing too special. All this woo-ing, along with the rumored four year contract is just plain silly.
Didn't VG get to the play offs with less talent on the team then the Rockets now have? But he did do it in the East, can he do it in the West. Guess we still have to find out. Before we trade any players lets see if they change with different coaching and demands being made on them if they want to play. It may not be that they can not do things, just have not been told they do not have a choice. I think it is what both the coach and the players need, coach gets more talent and players get a choice if they want to play or not.
Sure, it was a veteran club -- a mediocre veteran club, led by an oft-injured Ewing and Larry Johnson and John Starks, who like Ewing were both on the downside of their careers. Those three were augmented by the likes of Allan Houston, Chris Mills, Charlie Ward, Charles Oakley. Chris Childs and Chris Dudley. Not exactly a lineup that's guaranteed to go very deep into the playoffs.
edc, You have been very critical of this team ever since Rudy stepped down saying they are likely going to be in the lotto next season and such. Just curious, what makes you think so? I am personally elated about this JVG move and think that this team will improve atleast 4 spots in the playoffs seeding. This team imo is a 5th seed at worst next season. Van Gundy will do wonders in terms of getting this team to bring forth CONSISTENT efforts and play as a team on both ends. The talent he has in Houston is a whole lot better than the mediocre talent he coached in New York. Anyways, Im sure there will be plenty of doubters that just have it out for Les until the Rockets start the season off red hot.
Almu, Fully agree with what your saying except one thing. I think the Rockets should go ahead and ink Van Gundy even if they have to give the Knicks compensation; they should not wait. The reports I was reading today ie Chronicle, cnnsi, etc are saying that the date is July 31. This would mean that the Rockets would not have Van Gundy on staff through the draft plus an entire month thereafter. That could adversely affect the possibilities for this summer in terms of potential player development, offseason moves, etc. I think its worth it to give up something nominal to the Knicks ie a 2nd round pick, cash, etc to make sure Van Gundy is inked asap.
edc must be a disgruntled reporter with a bunch of useless ties to the old regime who now has to go to work finding new sources. Sux for you, dude! Are you Jeremy Foster ? Chicago obligation as compensation, maybe? Go ahead, ink'm. We don't need another Tito.
