Is anyone else tired of fools blaming Van Gundy for every loss or win that is anything less than perfect! This is yet another poorly disguised "I hate JVG thread."
Adjustment's, adjustment's! I can't believe that there are so many who refuse to constructively criticize the coach after a loss. I suppose you are all waiting for a Laker like losing streak to say something about JVG's lack of in game adjustment's. Of course I don't think JVG need's to be fired or anything like that, but anyone who know's anything about basketball can easily see that JVG is not very good at playing matchup's or making adjustment's. The bottom line is that if Luther/Bonzi/ or even Shane are playing poorly you do have an option in Snyder to bring some energy into the game. In the game against the Hawks it was clear that those three guy's weren't there. First, Shane was being run ragged by Joe Johnson. He looked exhausted and that's most likely why he was missing wide open 3's. So why not bring in Snyder who has the atheletic ability to stay with a guy like Johnson for 5 minutes or so? Why is that suggestion so absurd? When Mutumbo is continuously getting run off the pick n roll why not bring in Howard at Center for defensive quickness? Why wait for the last minute to make those adjustment's? It just doesn't make much basketball sense. Some will say, "but we were close and had a shot to win with that group". That's nice, I always like being close afterall. It was that group that had you down most of the game to the inferior team so why change? But no, this is just a knee jerk reaction. I'm just whining because the team lost a close game to an inferior opponent. In the playoff's JVG will make all the right adjustment's at the right time. Just like he did in the game VS Orlando when we didn't score for 5 minutes. Yeah, we can get away with something like that against Dallas, no worries.
You sir are a welcome addition to the BBS ! I find it ironic that people call it a knee jerk reaction when in reality it is taking a LONGER view.....like what will happen against the better teams, or that by blowing games during the season we lose home court, and thus hurt the team's chances of advancing in the playoffs. Knee Jerk - Hardly.......it is just about recognizing that each game counts and is important. DD
Don't sweat it DaDa, it seems that a lot of people are just pinning their hopes on the return of Yao. Personally, I think that is a mistake for two reason's. First, there are no guarantee's regarding Yao's return. Honestly, people have to realize that he may only have the month of April to round into playoff shape. I doubt, but I hope, that he'll return to his pre-injury state this year. He'll be more than formidable, and his attitude has come a long way, but I just don't see his agility being on par with his pre-injury day's. I really hope I'm wrong. Secondly, regardless of Yao's return, JVG will have to make quick in game adjustments versus the likes of Dallas/Phoenix/and San Antonio. What happens when Luther isn't hitting from outside and can't defend the Dallas guards? What happens when Bonzi is shut down by a more atheletic guard? I'm just concerned that a lack of adjustment's, even if for only a span of a few minutes, will cost us a series. Like I said, if we go scoreless for even 2-3 minutes versus Dallas or Phoenix then we're most likely going to lose the game.
Yall's concerns are valid. That said... if not bonzi, give luther a break. The guy is an awesome 3point shooter and can be pretty clutch. His passing and defense needs work but he'll get better. Luther is never gonna be a starter but he fills a vital role on our team coming off the bench. And I agree that he hasn't been as good without Yao but he hasn't been that bad either guys. I agree about Kirk getting more minutes a game, but I do NOT want to see JLIII, Novak, or V-Span out on the court if we even have a prayer. Van Gundy knows what's best for his team... he knows what does and does not work. If you guys honestly think we'd be better going into the playoffs without bonzi you should check your head. Bonzi isn't exactly playing terrible you know? I mean, has he lived up to expectations? Not exactly, not yet anyhow, but he's been injured, etc., and some of it is his fault but you can tell Bonzi really wants to play and be a part of the team now. He's been averaging like 7-8 points, 5-6 rebounds a night lately. That isn't huge production but for a bench player that aint too bad, not to mention Bonzi's intangibles like his size and ability to get inside and his defense aint bad either. Not to mention that on any given night bonzi can go off in his own way. In the playoffs, and down the stretch going into the playoffs, Bonzi is gonna be a reason we do as well as we will. You'll see. Against teams like the Spurs, the Mavs, the Jazz... Bonz is gonna money.
Hahaha... pff, bonzi has always been chubby though. And I'm not saying the guy is a defensive ace but he's better than most people give him credit for. Plus he has San Antonio's number and I just know he scares Dallas some. So that's worth it in and of itself. ...furthermore, what ever became of scotty pippen's plans to come back?
Bonzi has been turning the ball over a lot for the amount of touches he gets and you can play hack a Shaq with him when he drives the basket or posts up because his FT shooting is so bad. Bonzi has disappointed me, its not his conditioning at this point, he doesn't look winded during the game. It's his play that concerns me, the season is 1/2 over and he is still not there yet. JVG needs to open up that spot for some competition, let Snyder play and let the better man win.
I really hate JVG, coz he's so stubborn,even when Luther and Wells were struggling, he would not like to give Snyder more minutes, otherwise Rox would have won more games. If Luther and Wells play good, then I could understand them playing on the floor, but if they play so horrible, why not playing Snyder more? In the early season I also thought that JVG was unfair to Wells and should play him more coz he would be great help to the team, and later he was given enough playing minutes, but he made me too disappointed, he would never be the one against the Spurs in the last playoff. Low shooting percent, continuous turnovers... I do not think he should be a player to be trusted in the playoff. He does not fit on Rox. Wish JVG and Wells both be traded, then Snyder, Nowak and Billy would get more chances.
