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Chron: Recent results suggest Rockets are getting message

Discussion in 'Houston Rockets: Game Action & Roster Moves' started by ron413, Oct 22, 2003.

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  1. ron413

    ron413 Member

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    Oct. 21, 2003, 9:50PM

    Recent results suggest Rockets are getting Van Gundy's message
    By JONATHAN FEIGEN
    Copyright 2003 Houston Chronicle

    Kumbayah, my Lord, Kumbayah.

    Back when the Rockets were everything Jeff Van Gundy detests -- way back two weeks ago, when he did not need to say he was not in the mood to break into song -- it seemed natural to wonder whether the new coach's message was getting through.

    He never worried. Not about that.

    The Rockets weren't playing hard. They weren't playing smart. They weren't playing in any measure better than last season's worst.

    But Van Gundy said he would speak. And they would listen.

    "I don't worry about it," he said two wins and much improved practices ago. "I'm not worried if they're listening. I know they will."

    In truth, Van Gundy didn't worry because he considered the whole subject kind of stupid. Politicians communicate. Coaches run dictatorships. Singers sing. Coaches order.

    With the Nuggets in town tonight, one week before they return for the Rockets' regular-season opener, the Rockets are far from ready. But there is no reason to wonder if they've gotten the message.

    "Communication is the most overblown thing in all of sports," Van Gundy said. "I'm so sick of hearing about communication. If they're playing right, my communication with them is good -- if we're doing what I think we should do. That doesn't mean we should sit down and sing Kumbayah together."

    Kumbayah, my Lord, Kumbayah.

    Besides, Van Gundy said, if anyone wants to know about the lines of communication, the answer is on the scoreboard.

    "It really is meaningless," Van Gundy said. "Results tell you about communication, truly, and I mean that honestly. I've seen some of the most stoic personalities have great communication with their teams, and the team plays right. Then I've seen other coaches, whatever, they seem like they're talking, and their (team) seems disorganized.

    "I would say my communication was poor early, because we were the most disorganized team I've ever seen. Then lately we looked like a professional basketball team, so communication is better."

    There are signs the Rockets are getting the word. They are starting to speak like Van Gundy. Asked about the schedule that has the Rockets playing for the first time since Friday, guard Steve Francis said: "We need as much practice as we can get."

    More important, they seemed to take the criticism that came with their disinterested 0-4 start to the preseason and improve on their greatest weaknesses. They continued to struggle offensively, ranking 28th with their scoring average of 80.8 points, but they at least began to run the offense well enough for Van Gundy to recognize it.

    In two games against the Kings' previously efficient offense, they challenged shooters and got back defensively.

    "They're not looking for a friend," Van Gundy said. "They're not looking for me to be their friend. They have enough of those. I'm sure they have enough people in their lives telling them that they're doing everything right. I'll be the one to tell them what hopefully is the truth. But only about basketball. I don't know what they do off the court."

    Van Gundy's most pointed criticism had seemingly been directed at Francis. Van Gundy seemed at the time to say Francis chose to go for "home runs" rather than run the offense. But a day later he said Francis was forced to rely on high-risk highlight plays because the team's execution was so poor, leaving little else.

    But Francis never seemed offended by either interpretation. He said he does not feel natural in the Rockets' offense. He described his communication with Van Gundy as a work in progress. But Van Gundy had nothing but praise for Francis.

    "I don't notice him being mechanical at all," Van Gundy said. "He's played very well. I think he's taken all very good shots. I think he's playing very well. The concerns he has, I have none.

    "Everybody tried to convince me of what he wasn't before I came here. He wasn't a defender; he wasn't a decision-maker at point guard. But I don't see that. I see a guy who -- and only the great ones do this -- they play at both ends, and they practice well. That's what the great players do. I think that he's practiced better. I think he's defending better, and as I've told him, he's made great improvements in the last week to 10 days."

    But communication had nothing to do with it.

    "If he's making all the right plays like he has right now," Van Gundy said, "we have good communication."

    Oh, Lord, Kumbayah.

    http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/sports/bk/bkn/2171819
     
    #1 ron413, Oct 22, 2003
  2. dandorotik

    dandorotik Member

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    I'd rather like to see Van Gundy and the Rockets break out into song. I think "I'm Bad, I'm Nationwide" from ZZ Top or "Big Balls" from AC-DC would be most appropriate.
     
    #2 dandorotik, Oct 22, 2003
  3. Relativist

    Relativist Member

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    Guess we'll find out how well JVG is 'communicating' tonight then.
     
    #3 Relativist, Oct 22, 2003
  4. dandorotik

    dandorotik Member

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    For the Christmas matchup against the Lakers, I swear, if they do a special segment on Van Gundy and start playing "Rocket Man" in the background, I will puke.
     
    #4 dandorotik, Oct 22, 2003
  5. GRAYsquirrel

    GRAYsquirrel Member

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    more from Zen Gundy :D

    seriously, this guy and yao should put together a book of quotes.
    call it: "collections of yaoisms and the teachings of zen gundy."
     
    #5 GRAYsquirrel, Oct 22, 2003
  6. drewpy

    drewpy Member

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    That may happen if Yao follows Van Gundy's no leg crossing advice.
     
    #6 drewpy, Oct 22, 2003
  7. cson

    cson Member

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    I like Van Gundy's attitude. I don't care what they say in the paper, I don't care what you say you're saying to your team, WIN and I'll say you are the best communicator, ballplayer, dancer, lover, whatever you want.....JUST WIN.
     
    #7 cson, Oct 22, 2003
  8. okierock

    okierock Member

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    Man I love this guy. The only love this guy gets or gives comes from the win column.
     
    #8 okierock, Oct 22, 2003
  9. GladiatoRowdy

    GladiatoRowdy Member

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    I find myself more and more impressed with JVG every time I read his statements.

    No excuses!

    Play hard!

    Run the system!

    Defend like your life depends on it (b/c your playing time sure dies).
     
    #9 GladiatoRowdy, Oct 22, 2003
  10. SamFisher

    SamFisher Member

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    "Everybody tried to convince me of what he wasn't before I came here. He wasn't a defender; he wasn't a decision-maker at point guard. But I don't see that. I see a guy who -- and only the great ones do this -- they play at both ends, and they practice well."

    Any francis bashers left out there or are they in hiding?
     
    #10 SamFisher, Oct 22, 2003
  11. MFW2310

    MFW2310 Member

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    I've been a wanting JVG as our coach even since... well, his name began appearing in the rumour threads, but I think these statements are for popularity purposes. Not that there's anything wrong with that, you always want to please your new employer, which in JVG's case he got Les and couple tens of million others around the world. However, I wouldn't read much into what he says. I'm more into what he does.
     
    #11 MFW2310, Oct 22, 2003
  12. Rockets2K

    Rockets2K Clutch Crew

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    /sarcasm

    oooh, but Sam...He is just being diplomatic. He doesnt really mean that. Just becasue it is JVG saying it doesnt mean that it is right.
    Francis will never get it and has never played good...cause I said so.

    /sarcasm off

    they are still out there...just waiting for another out-of-context quote to jump on..
     
    #12 Rockets2K, Oct 22, 2003
  13. SamFisher

    SamFisher Member

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    It's uncanny, it's like JVG reads this message board and then makes public rebuttals of every francis basher's staple arguments:

    Francis doesn't pass to Yao: rejected
    Francis isn't a PG: JVG says it doesn't matter
    Francis doesn't play defense : rejected
    Francis is a bad decisionmaer: rejected
    Francis doesn't work hard: rejected

    Is there anything left in the arsenal?
     
    #13 SamFisher, Oct 22, 2003
  14. sjackson0

    sjackson0 Member

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    Where are all the Francis bashers?

    Come on!!!! Coach has nothing but praise for the Franchise and the bashers are no where to be found!
     
    #14 sjackson0, Oct 22, 2003
  15. Rockets2K

    Rockets2K Clutch Crew

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    I think you covered em all...

    except maybe...

    That Francis doesnt like Yao and doesnt want him on his team.

    which of course is the cardinal sin among Yao Fans right up there with not passing the ball to Yao every freaking time he gets downcourt.
    Dont bother to notice that Yao wasnt effective in the last part of the season...

    Oh yea, there is still the inaccurate "Francis says he has played the same way for 5 years, and doesnt want to change"

    It irks me to no end that every freaking sportswriter has leftout the part of the original quote where he refers to playing hard for the last 5 years and that isn't going to change...

    but hey, let's not let facts stand in the way of a good bash. :rolleyes:
     
    #15 Rockets2K, Oct 22, 2003
  16. Jeff

    Jeff Clutch Crew

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    Yao is rather upper class high society
    God's gift to Houston hoops notoriety
    He always fills his ballroom
    The event is never small
    Jonathan Feigen says he's got
    The biggest balls of all

    Yao's got big balls
    He's got big balls
    And they're such big balls
    Dirty big balls
    And Cat's got big balls
    And Steve's got big balls
    But Yao's got the biggest balls of them all

    Some balls are held for charity
    And some for fancy dress
    But when they're held by Rocket fans
    They're the balls that Yao likes best
    His balls are always bouncing
    To the left and to the right
    It's his belief his big balls
    Should be held in Toyota Center every night

    Yao's got big balls
    He's got big balls
    And they're such big balls
    Dirty big balls
    And Cato's got big balls
    And Van Gundy's got big balls
    But Yao's got the biggest balls of them all
     
    #16 Jeff, Oct 22, 2003
  17. Rockets2K

    Rockets2K Clutch Crew

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    Nice...

    and just when I thought you had forsaken your heavy metal roots Jeff..
    ;)
     
    #17 Rockets2K, Oct 22, 2003
  18. dandorotik

    dandorotik Member

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    I'm Bad, I'm Nationwide

    Well, I was driving the left baseline with my 7'6" frame
    From the right, I saw Shaquille O'Neal streakin' down the lane
    With a head fake left, and a cut to the right
    I slammed it in his grill and made his knees buckle tight

    Cause I'm Bad, I'm Nationwide
    Yes, I'm Bad, I'm Nationwide
     
    #18 dandorotik, Oct 22, 2003
  19. Jeff

    Jeff Clutch Crew

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    [​IMG]
     
    #19 Jeff, Oct 22, 2003
  20. Darrinlane

    Darrinlane Member

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    I hate to get off the music topic but.......what most bashers and Yao only fans fail to realize is that when, with zone, you double Yao before he even gets the ball....he is no longer the #1 option. Someone else is now open.
     
    #20 Darrinlane, Oct 22, 2003
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