So you guys are saying we already are so set that we dont need any more pieces because we have a championship calibur team already? Your in for a shock.I give it about 2 weeks into season before the unlimited trade threads pop up again.
No one is predicting a championship this year. If you're saying that the season is a total loss if we don't win the championship, that's just silly.
The only way we can be a championship caliber team is if we have a player that is the best or second best at his position. So unless we are going to get Duncan, Shaq, Kidd, TMac, Kobe or Garnett, we are going to have to wait on Francis and Yao to develop. However, I do believe we are solid playoff contenders with the sqaud we have as long as people they listen to JVG. This team is a lot better than last years team that only missed the playoffs by 1 game.
I was not implying that Steve was selfish just that he needs to learn WHEN to take over and WHEN to get others involved. Magic Johnson is good example of this. He would get his teammates involved early and often but would take over when points were needed at a crucial point in the game. Steve is capable of this kind of performance if he can learn the timing aspect of leading the team. I do agree though that JVG will show him some of that and I believe that Steve will do the right thing.
Good posts..I agree with most. Especially rockbox, RoxMill and codell. Our bench is much more talented , which was a major weakness last year. We will be ready to make some noise this year contingent on 4 factors.. 1) Mooch walking the walk instead of talking the talk..Back up your words little man. 2) Eggie actually showing himself to be worthy of his draft position. PLay inside, shoot those short little jumpers and block everything outta the house. 3) Mo using his lighter self to get up for some boards and being able to stay with his man. He is looking good, I just hope the coaches can inspire him to play some D. 4) Boki...man, I still have hope for this guy. If he can quit being so timid and keep his head in the game when he gets a chance to play, he will eventually make a fine SF. He is long and from all the scouting reports, he can supposedly slash his way to the bucket and finish hard... but will we ever see this? If we do, SF will end up being one of our strongest positions. I'm so excited about this year, I cant wait for it to start.
I think the ultimate deciding factor will be whether the players buy into Van Gundy's system. If they are willing to work hard and play as a team, even if that means losing some of your shine, then we could be pretty damn good. I'm also concerned about how our offense will be run. If it's run through Yao like it seems, there are so many interesting possiblities that could be run through him.
I love rudyT but he spoiled Francis during the times when he was the ONLY option to run their offense. He simply gave him the license to shoot. Last season, with Yao, he didn't change the role of Francis, resulting of selfish play by Francis trying to convince everyone that he's still the man. Unfortunately, he failed - making stupid decisions ( turn-overs ). I think having a new coach is a good move.
Yao wasn't ready to lead this team...hell might not be ready this year or even next year. He should have received more touches, that's not entirely Steve's fault....that's a team issue. Steve IS THE MAN on this squad and i personally want the rock in his hands. We didn't an OFFENSE last year...coaches fault, not Steve's.
ENFORCER! POWER FORWARD! A banger! A monster on the boards! A mad-man defender. That's what we are missing. I want EG to become this player.
Simple math: JJ > JPo Pike > Rice AGriff > TMo Meech > Collie Wilks >= Mooch (potentially, this is much less cetain) I don't think we need another PF right now - if Taylor goes back to two years ago and Eddie improves at all, then there would be no room for another big body (especially considering AGriff and Meech have played at the 4 in the past).
Somebody could tell Steve that having the opposing pg waltz into the middle of the paint kind of hurts our defensive schemes. I would bench him at halftime the next time some scrub point guard like Kevin Ollie is have a Gary Payton like game against us.
I think we need a veteran leader like Scottie Pippen who can cool down the issue on Yao-or-Steve. A guy who can pass to an unstoppable center and a kamikaze point guard. How's that?
