As usual, when it comes to the JVG argument, DD and I are on the same page. I do not like JVG's style of coaching, but I've always said that results trumps fan opinion. So, if Van Grumpy gets the ROX past the first round, even if we're swept in round 2, I'll go admit he deserves at least on more year. Regarding the original thread, I have to believe that anyone with more than one ring as a coach (Phil, Pop, Brown, Riley) has to trump anyone with ZERO rings as a coach. Especially when the latter hasn't made it past round 1 in years... For the Lakers fan who started this thread, please give me some of what you're smoking if you think JVG is better than Phil. I would GLADLY trade Phil for JVG and I absolutely believe that Phil would invent a modified triangle offense to take advantage of Yao's strengths, and he WOULD win a ring within 2-3 years. I'm sick of JVG's rigidity and my biggest fear for our playoff success is Van Gundy becoming too conservative with his rotation and not letting Bonzi or Snyder off the bench. This means the margin for error against really good teams (see Utah, San Antonio, Dallas and Phoenix) is incredibly small, so if Rafer plays like Rafer does on most nights... or if Yao or Tracy have an off night.... Well, you get the point. We have to have ALL ENGINES FIRING ON FULL in order to win. We can't overcome more than one deficit, and since we start with one in JVG, we have to be perfect elsewhere!!
Sure they've played well, and the coach deserves a degree of credit for it. That' still doesn't make him anything more than what he is. A limited coach. Come playoff time, playing your old starters 40+ minutes with no depth or development will kill this team. If you think Rafer has a detrimental jumpshot now, wait until Tmac or Yao brushes off the double teams to give him passes for wide open jumpers that he bricks like David Wesley was so good at. In the playoffs, your weaknesses are magnified.
True, but lack of depth is not the coach's fault. Van Gundy is a limited coach? Perhaps. but I think the bigger issue is that the Rockets have a limited roster. You mention Rafer's struggles, but what is Van Gundy supposed to do? Play Lucas and Spanoulis? Frankly they are worse. Unfortunately the bench players that might actually play well (Bonzi and Snyder) have been injured A LOT and are stuck behind better players (T-Mac and Battier). The coach's job is to maximize the players' strengths and minimize weaknesses. Every team has weaknesses. If the Rockets can continue to play to their strengths (Yao and T-Mac) and minimize their weaknesses (depth and point guard play) then they have a chance. Van Gundy on balance has done a good job minimizing the weaknesses of the team so far this season. Time will tell if that happens in the playoffs as well.
I've said many times the Gm deserves some heat for leaving holes within the teams roster, but you don't just leave what you have sitting there like a rock. Of course they'll suck every garbage once in a blue moon minute they get. He is hardly working with those guys and he is not maximizing anything. Recently Tmac said assistant coach hasn't shown him anything offensively. That's a terrible testament to a so called great coach. I have heard that enough from players to know its true. With that, there is no reason to hold grudges to the teams offseason acquisitions and say its injuries and being out of shape, etc... those were all lies. Assistant coach thus far still hasn't found out a way to implement Boniz and Kirk together, let alone allow them to use their strengths to their advantage. While I see this and at the same time watch him continue to tell Rafer to trust his shot no matter if it is detrimental and at a low percentage takes credibility away from his words when he uses the same excuses to bench others. Kirk has a tude you say, then we can just overlook Rafer yelling him down and make up some stupid apologist statement like he was just frustrated with his play. I don't think so.
Maybe that's because they play the same positions as TMac and Battier. Hmmm... We have no one to back up rafer. we do, however, have people to play IN FRONT of Snyder
I take it you have no disagreements with the rest of my post? Bonzi can play SF and has plenty of time effectively. Not only that, their roles are or should be totally different. That said, the GM made some pretty bad mistakes blowing the MLE on Spanoulis and Tyron Lue-lite
No, I disagree with your statements that imply that Bonzi wasn't at least telling us he was injured or was too fat to get on the court. Also disagreed with you saying players think he's a bad coach. Links please I just didn't feel like mentioning those things Also, Bonzi gets to ISO and post up when his fat @ss is on the court and healthy, which suit his strengths.
If the Rockets had Phil Jackson, they'd be favorites to be in the NBA finals this year. The front office has done a very good job. This team has elite level talent. It's a decent coach that we've been lacking.
What elite level talent has he had this year? Yao who was out most of the year. TMac who was injured a lot of the time Yao was healthy. If having 1 superstar healthy makes you elite level, then break up the Sonics - they're gonna dominate.
I agree with DD that I don't think Bonzi fits this teams scheme IMO, but he hasn't had that great of a stint playing. Inconsistent is more like it, whether it be injuries, DNP-CD or being out of shape. For the record in the beginning it was his me against you attitude along with assistant coaches attitude problem. Mix those two and the player loses out every time. IMO the coach has some gears he needs to calm every once in awhile as well. As far as assistant coach being a bad coach, I never said that. I called him limited, and I also said Tmac said he taught him nothing on offense really. It wasn't a text, but I believe in the audio interview I posted somewhere on here. It was during All star weekend.. Cat and Steve both said the same. Good defensively but offensively he's not as good.
Forgive me for not getting the 'joke.' I just finished watching Borat and it seemed like McGrady SNKT had a problem with English.
Been a member since 2003 been viewing the site since 2000. yeah am a rookie just because i don't sit on my ass all day and post 500 posts.
