... IMHO, the only guys better than JVG with this team to lead us to a championship would be Rudy T, Phil Jackson or Larry Brown. If we got Brown, I'd hope we didn't sign him for more than a year or two, but he'd probably take us all the way, if we got him a couple more pieces. I'd think he'll self-destruct, if he's here any longer. I don't think Rudy is up for it, but if he is, I believe he could lead the team all the way, although what happened in LA was scary. That's probably not a reality, though, with his health. Bladder cancer has a high repeat rate, and stress brings it back. You also get bone tired with it, even after the cancer is gone, at the most innapropriate times. Even though you no longer have it, you have to have repeated checkups every few months, in which they stick cameras up where no man wants it stuck, which is invasive and tiring. You have to protect your health, once you've had it, and Rudy probably would rather enjoy being a scout, than dying to win a championship again. Phil Jackson probably wouldn't be able to get out of his contract in LA. But, if he could, there's no doubt in my mind that he'd be the best. Iavoroni is probably the best up and comer. I don't believe he'd make us another Phoenix, since he's trained under Riley, but he would know how to take the defense that JVG has taught, and add some great offense to the puzzle. He'd also help us get by Phoenix. He seems to me to probably be our best option, if JVG leaves. I love Mario, but I don't know that he has the basketball IQ to relate to our players, nor proven as a coach. I doubt Les would roll the dice that strong. I love Lucas, too. There's no doubt that he'd be great with the players, but once again, he hasn't had that great a record, and I have no idea if he could take us to the promised land. I'd love to see him as an assistant coach, though. If you guys hate JVG for being dour, you'll really not like Adelman. He does get a lot out of his players, just like JVG, but once again, I don't know if he'd take us any farther than JVG, for all the same reasons JVG didn't. It's possible that JVG can't grow, and take us all the way in the next couple years. It's also possible he could. We're talking about giving up on one of the top 5 coaches in the league, one who was mentioned by may to be coach of the year. Be careful what you ask for. The grass always looks greener on the other side of the fence, but there aren't many better options than JVG, at the moment. JVG is a learner. He could improve ... maybe get his own personal coach ... But, I have to admit that, what I feared most, happened. When we hired him, I believed he was who we needed to bring discipline and defense that would win championships. I worried that he wouldn't be able to take us all the way, and maybe Rudy would come back to lead us there. But, I also believe we just didn't have enough talent, and MUST have an oncourt leader and clutch finisher, since TMac and Yao are so gentle mannered. JVG must learn how to peak his team for the playoffs, and inspire them, not just prepare them. IMHO, CD is the one who has failed to bring in the talent around Yao and TMac. That was the thing most obvious in the playoffs. Let's see what Morey does, irregardless of the coach.
The reason Adelman got canned by the Maloofs in Sacramento was his teams didn't play defense. I agree with you Adelman has proven to be an adequate Xs and Os offensive coach over the years. But personality does matter in his case because he isn't the easiest guy to be around.
because he is not better, IMO JVG should be here but he is gone and Les will replace him with a guy who is proven in the area of developing young players plus a guy who is defensive minded like JVG.
It is funny to me but the JVG lovers. . . . THE SAME FOLX . .. that accused others of hoping the Rockets would fail in the playoffs. . . . are now WISHING that if we get a new coach . .the rockets will fail how. . . uuuhhmmm. . . hypocritical Rocket Ruver
while jvg is around rockets will never get past the first round and he will always get the blame which he deserves
What I hope Les would do is to realize that you need more than one perimeter playmaker in this league to run a successful offense with ANY coach-- and that you need to pay for this kind of talent. I like the fact that the Rockets are no longer paying for the Cato and Mo Taylor contracts, and I like the role players on this team, I LOVE Chuck Hayes and Shane Battier, but there seem to be too many specialists on this roster... Whether that's a product of Van Gundy loving specialists or the salary cap, the Rockets gotta do something about adding some play-making talent... especially in a league where rules are made to encourage perimeter penetration. This team needs to look for more bargains, but they need to take a chance and take on some money, too... Look, for example, at Tyson Chandler... that was a great deal for New Orleands...
About the coach... maybe Les can hire BOTH of the Van Gundy brothers... so that when one gets depressed and dour, you can send him on vacation and make the other one work until the dour one gets back from the Bahamas.
Phil Jackson actually might be a remote possibility in a year. He has one year left on his contract, and he seems rather reluctant to sign an extension unless and until Lakers management gets them a talent upgrade on their roster. Sounds strangely familiar, doesn't it...? The current rumor as posted on Yahoo is at this link. Here's a crazy scenario: hire Larry Brown for one season, then hire Phil Jackson after the obligatory end-of-season Brown-out. A remote possibility, but weirder things have happened... ______________________________ Now that I've posted an appropriately unrealistic coaching proposal, I figured I'd throw in something that sounded considerably more reasonable. Perhaps Tom Thibodeau is ready for a shot at being a head coach? Maybe bring in John Lucas as an assistant coach, for player development?
In that case, JVG would spend so much time in the islands, he would be forced to become a resident. Of course, all that sand up his bottom would probably appeal to his masochistic side.
why is everyone so bitter towards larry brown? i'm not trying to argue in his favor. i have not heard what his problems are.
He has a history of going to teams for a year or two, then taking the money and running, frequently after clashing with management. What makes it especially onerous is that going into each new coaching job, he tends to go on about how it's his "dream job". He's had several "dream jobs" over the years. What was especially bad form was his interviewing for another coaching position while still coaching Detroit.
Lopez just lost any credibility as a writer covering the Rockets. Did anyone notice that he omitted the fact that Del Harris also took a team to the NBA Finals? It was back in 1980 and the team was ....the Rockets.
I suspect you weren't around to compare Showtime to the Spurs so let me help you a bit.... 1986-87 62 win World Champ Lakers with a 40 year old Kareem => 7,245 FGA's = 88.4 FGA's/g 2006-07 SA Spurs => 6,238 FGA's = 77.2 FGA's/g 2006-07 PHX Suns => 6,855 FGA's = 83.6 FGA's/g 2006-07 Rockets => 6,528 FGA's = 79.6 FGA's/g So if the Rockets wanted to emulate the Spurs, they'd take FEWER FG's/game. Not wise. BTW...The Lakers' season listed here was the first of back to back Championships. A 41 year old Kareem ran with Showtime the following season. Like I said many pages back...Showtime, PHX, Iavaroni....those are the answers. Not VG or the Spurs.
