I wasn't aware that Brown was able to tame Iverson. However, to his credit... I think he was smart enough to know that Iverson's style of play was not conducive to that of a point guard. As far as JVG being an ass...what's wrong with a coach trying to educate his team on the fundamentals of winning? If this is Steve's team and he is going to just keep doing what has worked for him the past four years in the league, I'm just wondering where's that going to get us? It may get Francis some more highlight reals or maybe another great shoe contract. But really, what does the city of Houston get out of it? Here is a nice thought... punk-ass street-ball does not win titles (and damn the NBA for showing that ****on nba.com tv). When it is all said and done, it still comes down to the fundamentals of the game, knowing and filling your role on a team. Last thought. Would Jordan have won six rings had he not bought into Jackson's system?
Van Gundy needs to take his punk-ass back to the streets of new york. why do you guys expect much more from this team? he's trying to turn us into the knicks offense taht averaged 85 pts a game. that's his offense...it stinks. but tha's what most of you wanted. it won't get better. oh yeah one more thing...CD runs this team not Van Gundy. all trades have to be run by CD...franchise and CD are pretty close so unless CD is hacked or gets major pressure i doubt a trade will be made.
Rockets do need to make a trade but trading Francis is not the answer. They need to get rid of his buddies and bring in players that understand the team concept of basketball like dare I type Kings and Spurs.
jev5555, Please don't lose sleep over this tonight. I wasn't saying I thought Francis should be traded. He just needs to buy into JVG system. If he does I think the TEAM could be very successful. Oh yeah one more thing... Rudy and CD were pretty tight, so were Hakeem and CD, so are JVG and CD....as well as Yao and CD! What was your point?
I'm afraid that it's not even that, Yetti. JVG appears to be appalled at the dismal level of play and effort being put out by the team. What he's now seeing firsthand is no different from the lousy crap we have witnessed for the past 4 years. The difference is that, unlike the previous 4 years, JVG has the stones to speak the obvious in public. I have the impression that he counted on their "professionalism" to have made them hungry enough to really want to work hard and play hard. Given the fact that as a team, they are simply outmanned and outgunned in their division, JVG is 100% correct in demanding that the first order of business is to come ready to play hard every night. They must do this even to have a chance at making the playoffs. Instead, JVG is getting the same lack of effort that plagued Rudy T. What we are now seeing is the end result of 4 years or mediocre basketball, 4 years of excuses, 4 years of disorganized play, 4 years with no accountability for their actions. I realize that it's only preseason but let's face some facts: these guys aren't even making an effort to get the most BASIC elements of team basketball down right. I'm talking about getting back defensively, closing out on shooters and boxing out on rebounders. The team stats tell it all. When compared to the rest of the league the Rockets are last in the NBA in preseason scoring, averaging just 78.8 points. They are tied for last with their average of 14 assists. Their field-goal shooting (40.1 percent) ranks 23rd. JVG is right: this is simply not acceptable and with the season now just 2 weeks away, the clock is running out on their chance to turn things around.
I honestly don't think this poll is a good idea. I doubt any of the players actually look at this site anywze (you never know though), but in any case, it does more harm than good and adds only fuel to the fire....a fire, mind you, that was started from a misquoted article. So do we really need to do this, especially now....it's only freakin preseason!
If a player intentionally does not play as he was assigned by the coach, he should not be on the team. It is a team sport and obeying your coach is a very important part of the game. If every individual players in a team played as he pleased without paying attention to a game plan , that team will have 0 chance to win. However, I do not think that Steve was intentionally dismiss the game plan. Hopefully, with more practise things will be better.
That's just it. Maybe, Francis will finally get "it". The guy is all talk. The sooner he realizes that he must follow VG's rules, the sooner we start to win. Who says preseason doesn't count?
classic.. one of the best posts I've seen. another nice one! seriously, this whole thread is starting to become a parody of itself...
Well Mumu, it seems as though you and quite a few others overeacted to and misinterpreted JVG's comments. What is so sickening is how quick some of you are to bash Francis when JVG made the first statement but now are silent when he comes back with statements supporting Francis. Some are behaving rather cowardly... c'mon defend your point of view.
I do. Preseason is for teaching your guys how you want them to play. It is for getting you ready to play the regular season, when the W-L record DOES matter. I think JVG is using the preseason for what he needs: to teach these guys how to play as a team.
No I didn't. It's just a simple poll. You are overreacting to a simple poll. I tell you what though, I used to be one of Steve's biggest fan. But, I do not think he is going to change. Very much like Marbury, he may need a change of venue. I HOPE HE DECIDES TO PLAY A TEAM GAME, I WANT HIM TO STAY AND BE SUCCESSFUL. BUT, HE IS NO LONGER IRREPLACEABLE FOR ME. GO ROCKETS, GO STEVE, GO VG.
I guess you are responding to my question. You responded with an "I do" but you contradict yourself with the explanation. I never said your record counts. I said the preseason MATTERS, for exactly your reasons!
Whatever Mu... my comment was driven by the fact that you said you thought a battle was brewing between Francis and JVG based on some the articles you've read. After reading the latest article do you still fill that the battle is on? I'm a fan of the Rockets not just one player... they could trade Francis tomorrow (which still isn't out of the question) and I would still be a Rox fan. The same goes for Ming. I defend Francis so much, however, because every since Ming came to the team thier seems to be an over abundance of unfair Francis bashing. This poll seems like more of the same... you thought there was a battle brewing and it doesn't appear to be one. Francis could still be traded, so could Ming for that matter, but it would not be because of a battle between player and coach.
How about I put it this way. Look at Francis' game, has it changed since last year? I don't need articles to reinforce my view. (although it helps ) From what I see, Francis has not changed. He may say the right things but I have heard them before. I WILL NOT believe him this time until he shows me. I will not give him the benefit of the doubt like I used to. If the battle has not started, (I think it has) then it will unless SF changes. This time VG will win and SF may be on his way out. I will give him this year to prove he can change. This has nothing to do with Ming. This has everything to do with the evolution of the "Franchise". AGAIN, GO ROCKETS, GO STEVE, GO VG!
