I think what we're all forgetting here is that JVG got rid of Moochie Norris. Seriously. He was able to get rid of MOOCHIE. The worst player in Rockets HISTORY. For this fact alone, I can never hate the man.
Uh huh, like Horry & Cassel & OT & Dickerson & Othella..etc..etc..etc..etc..etc... Rudy would make any change he thought the team needed. DD
That he has a better record with a worse team, for one. That he had a better winning percentage with a worse team in Yao's rookie year than the team does now in Yao's third year, for another. If a coach has to be the right 'fit' for a team, then he's probably not that good. If you're only a good coach for a certain type of player, you're not a good coach.
Who wouldn't like the direction better now that Yao is in his third year and McGrady is on the team? I mean who wouldn't like the direction of a team in general when all the hard work to rebuild has already been done? That's like saying "I really like the direction of this team under Bill Fitch now that Del Harris is gone".
The point remains...it is a moot issue whether Rudy would have done better with this lineup because it is basically all JVG's doings that has put this team together. If Rudy were still coach, our lineup wouldn't look anything like what it does now. DD, you are not nice catching me on the "never say never" rule. Besides, it was a no braining having a Phi Slamma Jama reunion.
Honestly, I liked the direction of the team better before we got T-Mac. We became more disciplined, tried to get more guys involved (lessened the iso's), and played better D. But as I mentioned before, under Rudy I doubt we would have been in the running for T-Mac. That's not an entirely fair criticism of Rudy, but it's true that JVG essentially kicked Stevie out of here, so give credit to JVG.
Would've been in the running and may have had to give up less, as Francis would've been coming off of a better season. How would they have not been in the running? Orlando calls up and offers McGrady, and the Rockets say 'no thanks'? Gimme a break.
And what makes you think that Orlando would have wanted to take LESS? They were giving up T-Mac! The fact is, Rudy tried for 4 years to build around Steve. JVG comes in and after 1 year realizes it is not working and wants to make big changes. You can talk about whether Rudy would have done it, JVG did do it.
I second that.. Also, we all talked about how Steve has a low Basketball IQ and we all talked about how he would dribble around and TO the ball all the time... I dont think Rudy would have wanted to trade Steve and Cat for T-MAC... I am glad that JVG didnt have any ties to Steve and Cat which let CD make the trade...This is my point why are we talking about the idea that Rudy would be a better coach, HE WOULDNT HAVE LET STEVE GO... to have the option of coaching T-Mac and Yao.. It doesnt matter if you like him (JVG) or not this this the team CD built for Jeff not Rudy... Who would want to rebuild yet again??? NOT ME, we have our core now its time to fill in the cracks...
Less players from the Rockets possibly, but an equal package, seeing as how Francis would have been coming off of a better season. Come on Mr. C. , this is a joke. Rudy 'built around' Steve out of necessity. Who else was he going to build around? You build around your best player. JVG realizes it isn't working after one year? Well yeah, after one year with a 2nd year Yao! Rudy had Yao for his first 65 games; what was he supposed to do, turn the team over to him then?!
I don't know if Rudy would have been a better coach for our players but Rudy probably got his players to work harder for him, but JVG has a better system. Also if we didn't make the playoffs last year than I dont think T-mac would have wanted to come here. I'm not sure Rudy would have gotten us to the playoffs last year though he was close the year before until the collapse. I miss Rudy T but I don't miss his ultra-basic offensive sets but I do miss heart and emotion which JVG lacks sorely. Anyway we can combine these 2 coaches? Someone photoshop a Rudy-T/JVG hybrid.
According to the media, Rudy is stuck in an isolation offense. LOL. JVG can coach any offense. Just as Rudy T can. The players make or break it. JVG will soon be known as the inside out master. You watch.
That is the essence of being a "player's coach" nobody does it better than Rudyt imho. But in the last 20 years, Rudyt was the only "Player's Coach" to win an NBA title. Simply put being a player's coach can only go thus far.
What is the debate here? Rudy had his chance and he blew it. I really don't understand how this is an arguable position. It is an open and shut case.
JVG Will Make This Work You just wait and see. It took five years before the Knicks got a legitimate perimeter threat in Allan Houston to complement Ewing. JVG was dealt a hand of less than talented cards and had to rely on effort. His emphasis on attitude is commendable but I think JVG is starting to realize that he has more talent on this team than ANY team he's coached including last year's Rockets. RudyT works best with older more mature players. I think he got screwed over with SF3 and CM5 b/c they were both too young and too undisciplined. JVG seems to breathe more competitive fire and he was decisive in making personnel changes this off-season to upgrade the team. It's total B.S. to think that RudyT could miracuously take this team to greater heights. He had his chances. JVG deserves more credit for his bold thinking than he's been getting. theSAGE
I haven't seen a player look like they enjoyed playing on this team or with this team ALL YEAR!!! Nobody talks to each other; doubt they know (or even care to know) each other. Too bad: it used to be a family....
