JVG is constantly on the sidelines screaming for his players to push the ball. This is a fact. face it, this team with this main core has never been a good fast break team, even when Rudy was here. But a more uptempo style would never work with the centerpiece of the offense being a 7'6 guy who moves up and down then court like a turtle and has the stamina of a bulldog on his last leg lumbering through the desert. JVG half-court systematic offense is the perfect and the only way to maximize the ability of Yao Ming. The guys just have to play smarter and not turnover the ball so much, which has been the biggest problem with this team all year, this will give them a higher average amount of shots per game, and they will in turn have a higher per game scoring average, because they are a decent shooting team, as it is.
jvg's basketball is winning basketball it's not just a system, it's common sense. play hard defense, use the team game, etc. blame the players
I really do not know whether to blame the players-that would be easy. I recall 2 seasons ago when Phil Jackson said he was concerned about the Houston Guards scoring being a problem for the Lakers. He would try to contain them. The rockets won that night and Steve and Cuttino scored more than 45 together. I only mention that because our guards are respected -as a scoring threat by other coaches in this league. I do not think this team can be a fast break type team as it stands - too many turnovers. We cannot control the ball or rhythm of the game. Blame it on Steve if you want -he is the point guard. I really was depressed in the second quarter of the Dallas game. We had gotten ahead with perimeter shooting in the 1st quarter - not so much scoring in the paint. Dallas using the zone controlled the area near the basket-sacrificing the perimeter -lower percentage shots. We played Dallas ' game and when the shots did not fall -we fell behind. We were out coached in the Dallas game. Why didn't Van Gundy push Francis, Mobley, and Jim Jackson to attack the basket??????????? Take it to the hole every time -get a foul, score , or fall down tryying. There is no tougher style of play-the guards would have to self sacrafice. - they would do it. Van Gundy would make a great defensive coach. Why didn't we hire Paul Silas or Don Chaeaney???????
