Van Gundy has a reputation of being the "blue collar" working coach. He works like a dog... watching tape, running drills, analyzing games... he is a HARD WORKER. I think part of the reason why he quit was b/c he burned out. He really was an overachiever. I think btw the time Riley left the Knicks and Van Gundy joined, Knicks experimented with a one or two coaches. Heck, I think Don Nelson was among those the Knicks thought would carry them to the promised land, but Nellie couldn't work with Knicks upper mgmt and quit. Van Gundy came in mid-season. Everybody thought he would be a lame duck coach (think Don Chaney). But instead, he not only took his team to the playoffs, he took an 8th seed all the way to the finals. If that's not impressive, I don't know what is. I love RudyT, but if he were to leave for whatever reason, I stand by Van Gundy... or as New Yorkers call him, Van Grundy, the hardest working coach in the NBA. theSAGE
Rudy will not be gone no matter how the year ends. Deal with it. The Knick team that went to the Finals also finished .500 and was a #8 seed in a weak conference. Was Van Gundy just not a good coach during the season?
The Czar is an offensive genius. Wait a minute, he is just offensive as a coach. Win or lose it will be ugly and dull. If I want ugly and dull I'll take JVG. He gets more out of his squads than seems reasonable. Or, find me the next Doc Rivers or Rick Carlisle. But do not mention that brat Frat to me. Noooooo!!!
Was that first part of the post supposed to be a facetious pun? If so, uhh it kinda went a little "over the top." But I agree with the conclusion that Frat is a brat. theSAGE
The Rockets are 7-14 since defeating the Lakers on 17.01. Let's suppose they continue the 1W-2L trend. They finish roughly 38-44. Disagree if you want, but I say he's gone. Have you forgotten Les Alexanders "one of the best teams ever assembled" comment?
Yet another reason to like VanGundy. He's BALD Bald is in. It's the mark of a thinking man. More energy to the brain. Less energy to the hair folicles. Other Famous and Intelligent Bald Men 1. Kojak 2. Ernie Johnson 3. Michael Rosenbaum 4. Charlie Brown theSAGE
Van Gundy's not a bad coach, but I wouldn't want him. It would only prolongue the Rockets gelling as a team for another year, where people would b**** and moan that the team doesn't respond to Van Gundy, because they'd still be adjusting to Van Gundy's gameplan, where as they were more used to Rudy's coaching scheme. And yes before people say, "Rudy's coaching scheme is 1 on 1 ISO with Francis and Mobley, and no teamwork", or whatever typical excuse you guys give to blame Rudy, he does have a coaching plan. This team has changed a ton since the beginning of the year. Francis's shots have decreased since the start of the season by about 4 less shots per game. Mobley's involving his teammates more now. Yao is shooting more. Starting line ups have changed a lot since the beginning of the season. Hell this team's original starting 5 was Francis, Mobley, Hawkins, Kenny Thomas, and Cato. Now it's Francis, Mobley, Posey who could be replaced by Hawkins or Rice tonight, EG which could now be replaced by MoT starting tonights game, and Yao. This team structurally is changing a lot, and has no stability just yet, so demanding for a team that can't even keep a consistent starting 5 just yet has almost no chance yet of gelling as a team. It takes time, and Rudy is busting his ass to get this team to play just like that. As a team. So guys quit complaining. I can understand if you guys are complaining just to vent, but to really take getting rid of Rudy seriously, is atrocious. This team has a bright future, so patience is going to be key. Getting rid of Rudy would be a terrible idea. How many teams in the league currently have a coach with championship experience? Pat Riley, Phil Jackson, Rudy T, and honestly I think that's about it. Even if there are more coaches then those three, the list is still incredibly short, so firing him still wouldn't be worth it.
I'd love to have Riley or Van Gundy. Hell, even Clippers' interim coach Dennis Johnson. I guess I just like seeing work forced out of the players, especially since we have young players. Rudy is a veteran team's coach. He can't coach youth.
OK, This is my 400th Post, So I'll try to make it a GOOD one Believe it or not, Jeff VanGundy was a POINT GUARD when he played college ball at Nazareth. Yes, POINT GUARD. Yet another reason why he'd be a good fit on this team. Perhaps, he can show a thing or to to Steve Francis. Anyways... here's his coaching bio. Enjoy.
What about Jim Cleamons. Phil Jacksons right hand man. He never got a good shot in Dallas. I really want to see some new coaches instead of the standard retreads. I mean Karl sucked when he first got to gs and came back and has done well. Mussleman is doing a very good job with GS and the guy in denver gets his guys to play very hard. One of the main reason why i like Cleamons is that he will bring a true passing offense in the triangle, is known as a tough in your face kind of coach and maybe he picked up some good things being with Jackson all those yrs. One thing this team needs is a coach and not a homeboy.
I guess Les' comment had NOTHING to do with trying to sell tickets? Most people I know laughed when he said that. This is the same coach who overachieved w/45 wins with a ragtag bunch 2 years ago. You don't ship out a city legend over one disappointing season.
Both JVG and Rudy T are not bad either. Rudy T is simply "out-dated".He can lead the 94/95 team to 2 championships doesn't mean he has the ability to lead our current team as well. I don't know whether JVG is a good fit to our team. But it's good to have a change anyway.
First, most people you know doesn't include Les Alexander so I really don't care what your friends find as humorous. Second, you want me to believe that the Rockets just got the rights to the #1 overall pick who was a guaranteed marketing phenomena of unpredented proportions and Les's comments are rooted in selling tickets? I stopped believing in the tooth fairy long ago. Second, even on the remote chance the comment was marketing driven the 45 win team wasn't exactly packing the house. I think Mr. Alexander is very aware that a playoff run is much more significant to marketing than a personal comment to the press. 45 wins justifies keeping a coach? Why isn't Riley still in LA? Olajuwon was a legend...he was let go for business related reasons. See a trend here? In case you haven't noticed, the underachieving Rockets have #2 overall pick who was voted to the All Star game and who plays one of the 2 most difficult positions on the court to master, a number #7 pick who was expected to go higher and not a member of the 45 win team, and a #1 overall pick in a league starved for fundamentally sound big man. Nothing you have uttered makes me think that Les Alexander had anything lower than a playoff spot as his personal expectation for this season. Bottomline from an owners perspective - if the "ragtag" (your wording) group can win 45, what's wrong with the current team? If I were an owner, this would be a very valid concern for me.
Yes, a change might be just what the team needs. I believe Rudy is too much of a player's coach. What? You like to rebound Steve? But you're our point guar---oh, OK, don't sulk, it's OK, you can rebound and kill our fast break in the process. Oops! Yao's had his 10 minutes, time to sit him down; what? He's made 12 shots in a row? Well, we don't want him to be too tired. OK, who do we have on the floor? Mooch, Cat, Posey, EG, and Cato. Perfect! And being so close to the team, so intertwined with them, so to speak, and having to stick with them even though they are showing themselves not quite ready for prime time (I spent three first round picks on EG, I traded away Kenny so that EG can start, and by God, he's gonna start), he'll stick with a rotting system... ...until he doesn't. Eventually the coach must be held accountable. The Rockets have seemingly quit on him. Or they have nothing left in the tank (physically or mentally). I'm not all that worked up anymore, I'm on the downside of the hill; I'm hoping this collapse of my beloved team will move Les to force some changes this off-season.
