Errrp. Don't ever listen to a coach without first looking at possible motives and consequences on the team. Van Gundy can't just say "they're not passing the ball to Yao enough" yet. That's going to alienate the team, and put him on island in the lockerroom with Yao and nobody else. He might eventually say this - but it would only be after he'd exhausted trying to win over the rest of the team. If he ever starts saying stuff like this... expect Mobley to definitely go soon after... and potentially Francis as well. No, Van Gundy isn't going to be willing to burn bridges yet, regardless of what he really thinks. For now, demanding that Yao be more assertive is a way of saying that he needs to get the ball more, without directly placing blame on Francis & Mobley. Does he think that they share any blame? Who the hell knows. I can't read his mind. He thought so last year. Maybe tapes he watched over the summer really did change his mind. Maybe he was playing (smart and necessary) politics. But you can't take it as face value, regardless. Just be thankful he's not an idiot.
I don't necessarily disagree with you, haven, but the fact is that we don't have any evidence that JVG is lying or stretching the truth in those statements. It's fine to have skepticism, but I don't see what reason Van Gundy has given to doubt his sincerity here. He doesn't seem like the type of man who says one thing and plots another. While that amounts to mere hearsay, that's his reputation, isn't it? Do you have anything besides conjecture to prove that Van Gundy isn't telling the truth here? Do you not feel it is more apropos to simply take JVG at his word until he gives us reason not to?
very very good point. Think about it in another way, JVG is helping Yao to establish his place , as one of the leaders, in this team. very good point.
It dosnt matter if the defender is in the front tha guy is 7 '6 for crying out load, just throw it up and the talliest guy on the court will catch it
Sure, if they're standing flat-footed. But Yao isn't the highest jumper around. I don't think the poor guy has EVER won a jump-ball. He's out-rebounded a lot for the same reason. They could still at least TRY it, though.
I don't know if you notice Yao's response. What he said is that he get the coach's message. He has been there before with Chinese National Team. The 2003 Asian Championship Game is a truly reflection of Yao's Dominance in the court. Give him another ten games to see how his style changes.
I am glad to see you saw things the way I saw it too. JVG speaks virtually in tongues. I noticed when he first got hire - in many cases what he says may not mean what he 'means' or trying to convey. This is why I re-read and rethink everything he says - they are many atime coded.
Oski2005 I went back to re-read Yetti's post and I think you aimlessly misfired. It is obvious to me that you either did not comprehend the post or you simply jumped the gun in order to childishly prove a baseless point. 'I call am like I see am' (pigdin english)
Van Gundy's statements in NJ are being blown out of proportion here. Regardless if Yao's ready or not it's probably not a bad or brilliant move for Van Gundy to make them to the press. But the fact of the matter is as long as Yao's drawing the attention in the lane he is and we're winning there's no need for Yao taking shots he doesn't like or getting himself in constant foul trouble. Against certain opponents/match-ups JVG can get wiggy if he wants to and tell Yao: you're taking the first 5 shots of the game period or you sit for the evening, even if we go down 0-12. Then Yao knows he has to get good position, and he knows he has to be decisive to get off his shot. It wouldn't even necessarily be that risky to do so, even if it is a disastrous (Yao 0-5, 2 fouls, 1 TO) start the opposing coach's not going to say "Yao's off tonight" and change his defense. More likely it would be, "Watch out, 7'6" guy's coming at us". But is there really any need to do that? No, but it could work. Yao's used to obedience. The more likely scenario is Yao has a "break-through" game on a different scale than the Mavs game last year and JVG's pissing him off during it and until the tipoff of the next game. And Yao really "get's it". What I like most about this article is that though it mimics the earlier NJ newspaper it strays and points out "ne never tries to score when he's double-teamed". Outside of Houston (or LA) it's likely to be thought a curious statement. After all, Yao's a gifted passer. But we don't understand 2nd-year centers - especially a 7'6" good jump-shooting one even caring if he's double-teamed. The statement by Feigen underscores JVG's quotes and really points out that being "aggressive" when you're gifted means not only playing selfishly 75% of the time it can also teach your less talented teammates what they need to do when you go into your move in order to be rewarded. It Dream's career it was amazing to see rookies in consecutive years (Horry & Cassell) get more slams/layups than guys that had been with Hakeem for years (yes Horry went inside once upon a time). Steve's going to get his shots always and rightfully so, but when Yao begins beating double and triple-teams it's gonna be SF and Cat on Sports Center everynight (who cares?). JVG may have legitamate reason to believe they doubt that. And he also has legitamate reason to wonder how ready Yao is. Maybe he's really wondering if we can contend this year (I don't). But I'm more or less happy he wants to find out soon.
LOL, Fegwu getting Yetti's back...that should tell us something shouldn't it? Again, Fegwu, who laments when people resort to personal attacks and claims he always argues with substance, has shown us his mastery of irony and hypocrisy.
And what kind of evidence would there be ? A document that wasn't shredded all the way? Some secret tapes, maybe? Coachspeak just can't be trusted, generally - except in the rare situation when a coach just has a breakdown (Herm Edwards!). Coaches aren't going to say anything that would damage their clubhouse. They're not going to say things that would split the team in half. JVG said things that he essentially had to say, if he wanted to avoid criticizing Rudy and completely insult the majority of his team. It's one thing to say that the entire team (or even a particular guy) isn't playing well - quite another to single out individuals, call them selfish, and then put them in a situation that pits them against their teammates. Yeah - like that would make them share the ball with Yao more. I'm not saying what JVG does think. Merely that what he has said means essentially nothing, because it would have been stupid of him to say anything else, regardless of what he actually thinks.
