CD: "Jeff... don't cry... I mean be a big man about it...err, well, not to say that you're short, although you are... but, come on Jeff, dry it up already! You can't be a pansy about criticism! It comes with the territory." JVG: "You called me a pansy!?!" CD: "Noooo! Well, yes... but not in that way... Jeeeffff, come on!" JVG: "I want an extension! Or I'm not coming out of the bathroom!" CD: "What'dya have in mind?" JVG: "I want a Rudy deal, CD... nothing less." CD: "I'm sure we can work out something... and don't you worry about Les. Can you forgive me? Will you take it like a man? And calm down?" JVG: "There you go!" CD: "What!!???!!??" JVG: "Making gay references again!" CD: "What?!? Saying 'Les?' I didn't mean to imply... WAIT!!! You're both from New York! You guys meetbefore?" JVG: "Why do think I'm crying? Why do think I'm here? In this stall? No. He's not going to do this to me, not this time! Besides, I know he's up my butt so far, he can't pull the trigger... THAT's why he sent you 'Caroll' the 'stoolie' to do his 'dirty work!' Well no way, bucko... not this cowboy!! I WILL SURVIVE!!!" CD: "You said all that... not me."
In light of the thread "The reason why Yao does not get as much heat", maybe we should start a "The reason why JVG does not get as much heat as Rudy on this board."
Sweetie, if you think there is a coach in the league that can get these guys to play like Sacramento or Dallas, you are CRAZY. Steve and Cat can't pass, Yao is not a dominant scorer, and the rest of our guys are just good role players. The correct lesson from this is that Rudy wasn't the problem. It's the players, not the coach.
They HAVE been given chance after chance after chance. Nothing changes. Last year they spent more time and effort concocting excuses than actually trying to improve their level of play. This year, despite everything, they are still looking equally inept. The entire coaching staff has changed, some of the bench players have changed but the result is still the same - boring, bad basketball. Now ask yourself this: how will you feel when they miss the playoffs once more? WIll you still be willing to wait several more years for this cast of misfits to learn how to play the game? I'm not saying that at all. In fact, this team is long overdue for a drastic makeover. The players that are here simply don't mesh well together and boy does it ever show out there on the court. Also, these bozos simply don't fit what JVG is trying to do - his system requires that his players play INTELLIGENT basketball and that ain't Francis & Co.. These guys have conclusively proven that they are incapable of thinking and playing at the same time. For now, I'd settle for a team that knows how to play smart, tough and tenacious basketball. I'd be happy with a team that makes mistakes yes, but shows definite improvement in their style of play. If they can do that - show concrete improvement on the court - then the wins will come. After all, it took Dallas 3 years to evolve into a playoff team. Both yourself and Sweetie are fine posters and I really enjoy reading what you two have to say. Sweetie is questioning the whole wisdom of bringing in a guy like JVG who is steeped in the Eastern Conference style of slowdown, physical low-scoring basketball. It is perfectly OK to question whether this style of play can ever be successful in the Western Conference. If the answer is no, then the Rockets made a major mistake by bringing in this guy. Now that's an uncomfortable thing to consider right now but is a perfectly legitimate topic for discussion. Here's another uncomfortable thing to think about: After watching him struggle this year I have a nagging fear that Yao may not be the player we want him to be. What if Yao does not evolve into the "superstar" player everyone is assuming he's destined to be? What if he becomes just another good but not great player? What if he's NOT the new Duncan? What impact will that have on this team's fortunes? I think that a lot of folks on this BBS are really afraid to look at the really tough questions like these because of the ramifications. It's far easier to live in denial so they attack anyone and everyone who dares to look at this team and organization with an open mind. Don't let yourself become one of those people.
Sweetie- The majority of this board is in a love fest with JVG. I said from earlier in the pre-season that this team would not BUY into his system. Granted they are better defensively but who wouldn't be when you have two 7 Footers in the middle? As I said earlier, the - I HATE JVG CLUB will grow some more as the season progresses. JVG's East coast offense OBVIOUSLY doesn't work with the West Teams. The only way JVG will work with the Rockets if the team realigns to the Eastern Conference. Since that's not going to happen, we will have to settle for mediocrity.
ABSOLUTELY! That's been my contention from day one of my presence on this board. Rudy may have fallen on his sword to appease Uncle Les but it is the players who are the real problem here. Unfortunately, it's always easier to pin the blame on one guy than it is to blame 15...
Yea I've been here. I've also had to watch JVG-ball for the past 4 years living up here in NY and it puts me to sleep everytime. The Rockets offense is just pathetic and no one is to blame but the coach. You can hate on the ISO- offense from the last couple of years (I surely hated it too)but at least they were shooting a higher percentage than they are now. Granted, I know it takes a minute for people to get acclimated to new systems. Time will tell.
YES THE OFFICIAL FIRE VAN GUNDY THREAD HAS BEGUN...This guy is a defensive genius but an offensive moron. FIRE HIM NOW! Defense won't win $#!+ if you guys can't score.
IMO, we need to let JVG do what he does best -- build defenses and teach young players. Give him a certified offensive coordinator to with an innovative streak for breaking down defenses, particularly zones. There are plenty of prospects in the collegiate coaching ranks. Many on the board wanted an offensive and defensive coordinator for Rudy T. so he could do what he did best, but that didn't happen. This suggestion likely will go unheeded as well.
Players do not win championships ALONE, organizations win championships! hahahaha Look, most of the players on this team are one-dimensional players: Cato - defense, MoT- offense, Pike - shooter, Steve: offense, Cat: offense with improving defense, Yao - perfect for zone defense but is weak to play man-to-man. Who construct the team? the organization. Rox as an organization is still living in an era with man-to-man defense, ISO attack. We are not innovating. Our players lack skills in playing zone offense.
I pretty much agree, except Yao is not a one dimensional player. He can also pass. I agree Cato and MoT were horrible signings. But can you blame them for resigning Cat and Steve? And Pike is a great signing. Yeah, it would be nice to go out and sign Tim Duncan, Tracy McGrady, and Ben Wallace, but that's not very realistic is it. We have limitations. It's easy for you to sit back and nitpick, but what would you do REALISTICALLY?
I didnt think this thread would go this long. However for the record I would like to state that personally I love JVG. I think he is charming,and funny,and witty comments,and looks hilarious with his depressed look. It hurts me to have started this thread even though I think its the truth. I didnt want to have to bash JVg because I do like him. BUt the offense compared to Kings was just elementary and made me think it isnt our guards fault,maybe they are being told how to play like this by JVg. JVG did after all say Rudy wasnt at fault (referring to its the players fault) but was it really? I dont think a leopard can change its spots and I think there is hope if we hire an offensive coordinater to help JVg. Im sorry for saying JVg has got to go. That was way to harsh and panicky. He does need help though. And Im also not saying the players should be totally safe from trades, Like I would like to see either CAt or Steve traded for added chemistry,however that will only go so far,and having more offense plays will help more in the long run than a quick trade of 1 player. I dont think just 1 player can cause a 30 pt deficit to the kings by himself.
He was outcoached again tonight in Seattle. And he might even get outcoached for eight straight. But he'll stay on here as long as Les wants. And Les is more in this case. We could all throw in the towel on JVG, but I'm sure he'll stay for his whole contract, if Rudy could, then JVG can. Except for that little issue of Rudy T. being the back-to-back title winning, fan favorite... that probably made his stay longer. It's hard to tell. Les didn't "technically" fire Rudy, so who knows if he'd ever make a switch. We're in a unique situation since Les has owned the team. This will surely be the beginning of JVG's demise on the BBS though...
But in the sixers they only pass the ball to Iverson and he shoots, in Orlando they pass the ball to T-Mac and he shoots (he is shooting awful), and in the Nets they pass Jason Kidd and then he only pass the ball one time, then not only JVG uses the system of 1 0r 2 passes.
JVG has just coached Rox for 16 games but our guards has been fooling around on the court for more than 4 years. Whose fault do u think? The changes in the coaching stuff merely prove that some players in the team is UNCOACHABLE!!!
Speaking of zone defenses, can anyone put their hands on actual JVG/rocket staff quotes on why we aren't exploiting the full potential of the zone? The current roster would seems a very good match for running a full-on zone defense.
