Here Is The Crow Thread

I would imagine that most of the "fans" around here are still holding out hope that the Rockets will lose tonight before they even start to think about eating some crow.

 

Come on in, sourpusses! The eatin' is good! It's payback time for all you haters making this BBS a worse place to read.

 

I don't hate JVG, but I really don't think its a slam dunk we wouldn't be this good if Rudy had been given another year. I feel like the 41 games as a unit running the same system is the biggest reason we're looking better.

I still say that we didn't get a better coach, nor for that matter a worse coach, just a different one. But, sometimes different does the trick.

Bottom line, I'm a Rocket fan and want whoever the coach is to do well. I just don't feel the need bash a former coach who got really good results with the team, just because his replacement is having succes.

Give JVG his props for what he's done, but that doesn't mean Rudy wouldn't have done equally as well. We just don't know.

 

Personally, I'd love to hear what ElGrandeQueso has to say about Yao these days ...

 

Man,

I am pissed that JVG took so damned long to get Mark Jackson here.

A lot of us have been screaming for him to be a Rocket all year.

I am glad that they are playing better, but I guarantee that Steve and Cat seeing how easy Mark makes the game has a bigger impression than Van Gundy telling them to pass it.

Seeing is believing.

DD

 

DaDa, I think they couldn't get MJ because we needed to "showcase" moochie. Better late than never.

 

You don't think the fact that Yao decided to quit playing like a wuss has something to do with their improved play.

 

"I am glad that they are playing better, but I guarantee that Steve and Cat seeing how easy Mark makes the game has a bigger impression than Van Gundy telling them to pass it."


How true. One of the biggest mysteries to me has been the fact that the Rockets never brought in anyone to show Francis how to play PG. Seeing how to do it in a game situation is so much better than being told how to do it during practice.

 

OK - dish me up a plate.

While, I was ready for a new coach, I was very skeptical on JVG because I remember all too well his NY days. The offense was offensive. And while I was ready to get rid of the ISO, I didn't feel JVG's type would make this work. I was also ready for some zone D since we had/have some weak links in our D which Jeff had never used or played against. While there are still unresolved issues, JVG has done a much better job than I thought he could have done in a short amount of time. The 1 really good thing I've noticed is that this team looks like it comes prepared to play on 95% of the nights.

 

Actually, I credit the staff/VG for allowing Yao to let the game come to his strengths in shooting rather than trying too hard to mold him in the Shaq II.

With the exception of DeClerq, Yao's big runs in the last several games have been more finesse than banging in the paint for dunks. It seemed like Yao's hesitancy during the early part of the season was his discomfort in trying too hard to force himself into position.

 

I'm waiting for Rich to post here.

 

I gave Van Gundy the benefit of the doubt. I figured he would do approximately as well as Rudy would have. That seems to be turning out to be the case, in my view. In any case, we are having success. However, he has shown over time to be less likable than Rudy and I still wish we hadn't switched coaches. Things I'm displeased about with Van Gundy:

1. Our offense, which was already anemic, is even lower-scoring. I'm sure part of it is simply the result of an increased focus on defense and a slower game pace. But, I think think some of the credit also goes to Van Gundy not being a great offensive coach.

2. Van Gundy's system has knocked Francis out of his comfort zone on offense. I knew switching coaches that some guys would suddenly pick up their games and others would get marginalized. That Francis is one of the ones to get marginalized isn't good.

3. The team still suffers from many of the problems Rudy's been blamed for despite the coaching change. The team still can't score in transition. They still commit too many turnovers and not enough assists. They still let their guard down in the third quarter. They still get hyped up for the big games and then lose to Miami the next night.

4. His personality just isn't as magnetic as Rudy's.

5. I have to put up with ridiculous BBS straw-man arguments about why Rudy sucks and JVG is so great. Assertions like the Rockets' defense was terrible under Rudy; or that the players refused to do what Rudy wanted; or that Rudy wouldn't use Yao's talents (or worse, that we could have actually won last year by having Yao shoot 30 shots a game).

Things I'm pleased about with Van Gundy (to make it fair):

1. Better defense. We were very good last year but we're even better this year.

2. He has been able to obtain the loyalty of all his players, which is sometimes hard when following up for a popular coach.

3. With the notable exception of Steve Francis, he has the primary players playing well.

4. He isn't so stubborn as to stick with a floundering low-post offense and was willing to go back to last year's system of having Yao play further out and run more cuts across the lane.

5. I like that he doesn't cut practices to let players have a rest like Rudy used to often do.

We're doing better this year on what I think is a somewhat better record. We've been helped somewhat by the implosions of the Trailblazers, Jazz and Suns. We also gained more talent than we lost over the offseason (except the Eddie Griffin fiasco, but we didn't have him last year either, really). Plus, Yao is older and more experienced as is everyone else. I was expecting an improvement over last year comparable to what we currently have, even without a coaching change. So, I don't really see what the big deal is. Make this thread a sticky. Maybe I'll have to visit it again in June. I'm not really seeing any crow to be eaten right now (not that I was ever a JVG hater in the first place).

 

Steve's defense has improved markedly under JVG, so you must give JVG credit for that.'

IIRC, during the Indy game, on the Pacers last full possession, it looked like Steve doubled off his man to check O'Neal in the corner, got back to cover his man to prevent an easy lay in, then came back over to double O'Neal once he picked up his dribble, forcing him to jackup an airball of a three that had no chance of going in.

That's not the kind of play that will show up in a stat line, but as far as I'm concerned it was the play of the game...and not a play he would have made last year.

 

That is just dumb. I have never wanted the Rockets to any game except when it would help their already destined lottery pick. I always root for the Rockets to win and I definitely not a fan of JVG, thought he was overrated, arrogant and didn't think he was the man for the job.

I will now concede that I was wrong. He has done a good job with the Rockets and it is obvious his defensive coaching has made us a tough matchup for any team. I am still a big fan of Rudy as a Rocket and a coach and believe he would have had similar success this year albeit in a different style. The true difference on this team has been Yao seeing the light. And most certainly Rudy would have helped him achieve that, possibly even sooner.

But the Rockets are coming around now. And their defense is so impressive and while am not particularly found of the man as aperson. It is obvious he knows how to coach and in his own way has gained some respect from the players. So while I may never be a fan of JVG (something about the guy that just annoys me) I do admit I misjudged his coaching ability and I respect him as the Rockets head coach and think he is doing an admirable job.

Okay so there you have it. That is about as much crow eating as you are going to get from me.

 

My how the winds of the forum blow.

I love the Rox and will root for JVG, Rudy T, Bill Fitch, Don Chaney or Don Zimmer or whoever might be coaching the Rox.

That said I'm wondering what this thread will be like if the Rox suddenly hit a losing streak.

I certainly hope this doesn't happen but if it does I think it might be the JVG fans being given a helping of crow.

 

And Jughead...err Juggie. Lots of haters. But there always will be.

 

Where's A-Train?

 

I'm sure w/ the Yao has been playing lately, we would have close to the same record under Rudy. Nevertheless, there are some things i like better. Most notably, i like JVG rotations. ALOT. Rudy had awful rotations at some points in games. And he was too passive in benching struggling players like Mooch.

I think our defense was in the top 5 last year as well. And we would have been better under Rudy w/ Yao establishing himself. However, our team defense overall is better under JVG, and no more PGs avg 40 against us.

I like some of the things JVG has done. There have definitely been fall backs, but he has adjusted to many, especially w/ Yao. Time will tell.

 

that an excellent question (kinda).....