What VG's quote means, as I read it, is that the real fireworks in terms of private and public rebukes are just beginning. He's saying that all the guys who claimed to be doing their own workouts will be expected to demonstrate the results at the start of camp. If they don't show the results, they lied and slacked off and he doesn't care what excuses they can come up with or what potential they have. He's also saying he won't wait for the ultimate measurable results -- wins and the playoffs -- before making roster and PT decisions based on preliminary measurable results such as weight, endurance, strength, speed, etc. Expect plenty of unexpected bench time, unhappy quotes from punished players, and pointedly unsupportive public comments about those players from VG in the weeks ahead.
Not sure what to think of this (good or bad), but I think if anyone has the right to point out the inconsistency between players saying "no excuses" and then not taking the opportunity to show up for training camp early, it is the coach, I guess. I hope it will not turn into a public feud, but as long as this approach will translate into more wins, I am fine with everything.
Yao commits by following what the Rockets want. The Rockets told him to put on weight, and he put on weight. The Rockets want Francis to show up and do voluntary training, Francis didn't. If Francis is playing on the Dream Team 6 right now and missed the start of training camp, would you extend your whining to Francis?
Who cares if Steve, Cat and Mo aren't there yet! They don't have to be.....they aren't awol! They will come into camp, in shape and ready to ball. Stop nagging
Heh heh... Francis: "Dam...son of a.....I auta....who the hell does he think he...&$#&@&$#!!! Moochie: "Grumble....grumble.... Mobley: "Raga, fraga, raga..."
Why is this so often a lost and forgotten fact. I doubt that you will find any of those players unfit or ill prepared when it comes time to report. Remember, they are people too, and as such are entitled to a life of their own.
Ditto. This team was already a playoff caliber team, and IMO would have made it last year had Rudy not gotten sick. JVG simply stepped into a "can't lose" situations and will get early credit for successes that were already impending, much the way Rudy did when D. Chaney was let go. So I guess what goes around......
I don't know about MoT but Francis and Cat will be ready and Cat will have 2 good ankles. Cat will have a breakout season this year.
As long as there's no revolt in the lockeroom, but we have the 6.5 million trade exception to handle that.
What did you expect him to say? We dumped an overpaid mulcontent and got pocket change? That'll be like burning the bridge after you cross it.
Actions speak louder than words, Francis says he is commited to winning but does not show up for workouts that would improve the rockets chances to win. That speaks to me very loudly. Francis is the "leader" of our team and has said things to the effect that he has put in his time and has earned the right to be the #1 option. But he doesn't show the commitment to win by leading his posse to volunteer workouts that would improve our team. So you people that are supporting Steve in his decision to skip volunteer workouts tell me this: Would you like to win a championship? Do you think MJ missed volunteer workouts? Do you think MJ jumped in his teams A$$es when they missed volunteer workouts? Is your support of Steve so strong that its ok with you when he doesn't do everything in his power to win a championship? Steves actions say to me that he is more important than the team. Somebody help me out if I am missing something.
True. And I was pissed when I found out he would miss some pre-season games. I mean, his going to miss training camp and pre-season for his whole career in Houston? What's up with that?
For the record, there have already been some grumblings from the "Franchise" about his "role" on the team. How this ultimately plays out will determine the fate of the Rockets this season.
