Panda -- JVG values talent. He wouldn't have traded for McGrady if he didn't. I could see your point if those comments were taken literally, but Van Gundy tried to instill habits and work ethic in the players he had and didn't use a talent gap as a crutch. When Yao went down last year, I'd say we suddenly had a talent gap. Think of the offensive liabilities he started -- Dikembe, Battier, Rafer, Hayes -- and still managed to not lose a beat. That was a great coaching job. He had his flaws, but not valuing talent wasn't one of them. He never used a lack of talent as an excuse for losing. (though it would have been nice if he had excused <a href="http://www.clutchfans.net/news/1306/van_gundy_pride_hurts_rockets/">losing that game in Denver</a> ... probably would have re-shaped the franchise for the better)
