I would be more upset about that reluctance if I actually felt as strongly as you do (and as strongly as others here do) that he had viable parts sitting on that bench doing nothing. As I said... maybe its not you... but the hype being created over V-span is setting EVERYBODY up for a letdown. Now, people are going to be dissecting his EVERY move (just as they were this year... mostly in garbage time), and will criticize the new coach to no end if he's not utilized. Its annoying... its causing most other fans to think we're idiots... and its clouding some of the real pressing needs on this team.
I would say it's just showing that we care and can discuss about everything that surrounds our team. Main problems are JVG and everything that has to do with him. He should be held accountable. If not forced to retire, he should be fired! His poor decision making and lack of adjusting to the NBA game cost us the next round and maybe next year if we don't develop in our house.
The issue is, we never really got a chance to see those aforementioned players play out their mistakes. If it was that black and white that Vspan or Snyder's on court performances were indicative of their potentional, then no one is going to have anything to say. I remember at the beginning of the year when everyone was raving about JLIII, yet with the year come and gone, I have yet to see someone arguing in favor of him. As for being viewed as being an idiot or not, only time will tell. You take gambles. Anyone can be a bust or the next best thing. Even Billups got bounced on I think 5-7 teams before he came to his own in Detroit. When Detroit picked him up he was only a good/decent player, no one could of imagined that he would become THE Mr. Clutch that he is now. Yet he made the leap. So therefore, I don't think its unrealistic to expect the same thing of Vspan from making that step from bench player to role player. Its not as far fetched as you think.
But even Billups had a tremendous college career, and was thought of highly enough to be the 3rd pick in the draft. He also had tremendous defeciencies when he first started playing that he was forced to work on BY HIMSELF, if he ever hoped to be a regular rotation player in this league. Expecting V-Span, a 2nd round pick who has defecinecies that we all know of (despite his minimal play), to follow the career path of ANYBODY right now... let alone somebody that can save this franchise, is just as irresponsible as JVG playing Rafer for 48 minute a game in the playoffs. The organization better bring in an experienced/talented PG that can run an offense/hit a jump shot if they hope to contend... that is all. I don't care anymore... and I'm pretty annoyed that Rockets fans are delusioned enough to hinge the success of the season on his development.
And V-Span was drafted in the 2nd round because the team was going to leave him in Europe to see if he developed. And develop he did, in world class competition (A step up from college). But, I do agree he needs to improve his game, by himself as well as with others. I don't think anyone is expecting anything, the issue is that we know that Rafer sucks, and is not the answer, and most of us are pissed that knowing this, JVG did not even give Billy a look because of his high turnovers.... The point is that the Rockets are NOT good enough to win it all...YET....so why not find out if the pieces on the bench are going to help them get to that level. JVG sacrificed the season to try to win it all (when the reality is that they didn't really have much of a chance). DD
Didn't you say the Rockets should have been better than top 4 this year? I distinctly remember you saying that, even DESPITE the injuries, the Rockets underacheived. Which one is it? Now, they apparently sacraficed the season... whatever the hell that means. You say you're not expecting much from V-span, but are willing to say this entire 50 win basketball team WASTED an entire NBA season because of his lack of development? As I said... you guys are adding more and more pressure to the kid every single day... and your expectations are going sky-high (even if its being done subconciously). As for him being a mega world-class player... I'd still take Carlos Arroyo... wherever the hell he's playing right now.
Yes, I think he WILL become that guy, it is what I think. However, I don't KNOW that he will be that guy, that is the whole point....all I know is that Rafer certainly is NOT that guy. Get it ? Got it? Good. DD
We lost. Write it down. I've already said this once...hindsight IS 20/20. We know now what we didn't before. If I invest in a stock and lose all my money despite making seemingly sound analysis beforehand, I can definitely say afterwards, I shouldn't have invested in that stock. We lost.
Yes, I think the Rockets should have had a better record, but part of that belief is that JVG or whomever should have played his bench. I believe if he played Bonzi, and Snyder, and V-Span the team would have been much better off this year, heck even if he only played 2 of them.... And even though I think the Rockets are top 3-5 in the league with their current roster, I don't believe they are at the elite level......yet. Yes, they wasted a chance to find out if the guys on the bench are part of the solution to the Rockets problems.......because now as they go into the off season, they still have the same question marks about the bench, and this could hurt us in getting other players in trades or Free agency. Yeah, we are adding pressure, how exactly are we adding pressure? Oh wait, go ask your Spurs buddy and get back to us.... DD
NikeStrad, I think he will DEVELOP into that guy, but I think most people just want to know what he will become. So, yes you are correct.....I am expecting something out of V-Span.....but I don't believe the majority of people have the same expectations. DD
Your obsession/devotion to V-Span is just as bad as JVG's was to Rafer. You criticize him for standing by a mediocre PG, and yet every single expectation you have right now is that this unproven guy (who is a worse shooter than Rafer) will make a difference. Hell, its probably worse than JVG... since at least he had evidence in front of him to point out why Rafer was useful to this team. If you were the coach, and I was a DD internet fan poster, you better well beleive I'd put up a poll discussing whether or not you should get fired for saying all we need to do is develop V-span, and we'll be fine. What do you base your devotion on? Blind faith? Man love? FWIW, I never said I didn't want V-span to contribute... I just felt this team still needed more options, still needed more talent, and still needed viable NBA players to compete with all of the western conference contenders. I didn't see that in V-span, Snyder, or whoever else you say we "didn't develop." They need talent, size, toughness, and athleticism... Matt Harpring is everything a Rockets bench player wasn't.
You're right, Vspan is not the final piece, but I consider him as definitely one of them. Athleticism from top to bottom is what we need. I think gone are the days of purely trying to rely on veterans that are way past their prime. JVG's infatuation with ex knick's player really got on my nerves, but lets hope these days are behind us.
I just defend V-Span because I see something a couple of things in his game that the Rockets desperatly need. 1. Toughness - the guy plays hard all the time and that has a tendency to inspire others to do the same (Bob Sura like). 2. Basketball IQ - The guy just sees things on the floor that others don't, and he sees it as it is developing, which leads to easy baskets, and yes...turnovers. 3. Defensive savvy - He anticipates very well on defense and I think is the only Rockets guard to take a charge on the perimeter all year. I believe with time, V-Span will develop into the PG the Rockets need, a tough, gritty, attack the basket, take no prisoners PG. That is what I think will happen. That being said, I have been wrong before - see Langhi........ I just can't stand that the organization knows it has these problems, and IMO, a potential solution to a lot of them was left rotting on the bench all year due to a personality conflict. DD
Where did you see all of this? In his minutes this year that he looked like a chicken with his head cut off? Pre-season? Personality conflict? JVG said he likes the guy... but nobody in the organization was thrilled when he went to the greek media and whined like a little baby. Trust me... Les himself was pissed off... "greek t-mac, my ass" were his exact words. Also, the organization spends a HELLUVA lot more time watching/dissecting/evaluating V-span than you ever did. The fact that you conclude all of this with, "I've been wrong before... see Langhi" proves that you're simply basing this on your own hunch... which doesn't mean much.
Any time a GARM thread goes over 300 posts, it's because DaDakota is arguing with someone. I'm sure this one is on the way, just like the Sticky thread.
Just watching the games, and recognizing a player that is a bit ahead of others in seeing things as they are happening on the court. JVG double speak for " I don't like the guy" And where did you hear Les say that? Link please -- or are you just talking out your bum? Just because the organization spends more time, doesn't make them right. They often miss too....hos is Boki doing now days? Also, how is that organizations draft record these last few years? Oh, but they spend a HELLUVA lot more time. WTF ever....... I admit, I honestly don't know what V-Span will become, but I see something in him that is special, and I BELIEVE he will develop into the PG the team needs, but not until he gets on the court. DD
Hey Ima, Thanks for coming in and contributing.....what a great post....everyone stand up and give Ima a golf clap !!!!! Oh, and it takes two to argue. All kidding aside good luck on your job interview. DD
Les wasn't dumb enough to cry to the media about it like V-span did... lets just say I know people who work for Les, and you'd be shocked to realize how small the V-span issue really is over there. You're right... they don't draft well, they don't make smart trades, and they don't sign up and coming free agents. If they did, they'd have more talent. They also waste first round picks on underdeveloped Boki's, and they give guaranteed contracts to 2nd round players who apparently still need developing (despite being "more ready for the NBA than Sam Cassell"... and playing in "world class european league basketball.") Just stop it. Don't play from both sides of the fence. Stand by your man... be willing to hedge your entire reputation on it (just like JVG apparently did with Rafer. Seriously... you and the gundy are more alike than you really know... its amazing you didn't get along.
