I do like how JVG is talking about V-Span's confidence...... And I do believe that JVG says that "if you are better than the guy in front, you will play". What I question is his ability to pick those players. I disagree with him about his choices, as I think he settles for players he is comfortable with rather than gamble a little on players that might actually make the team better in the long run. And, IMHO, the regular season was the time to experiment....not to the detriment of the team by losing games, but finding the right combinations of players that will give this team the best chance at success. I do agree that JVG has found a rotation he is comfortable with, and 50 wins is pretty darned good. But.......(for you Almu)......the team has shown a lack of fire, and passion and a lack of focus and there are passionate players on the bench that could ignite the team. Oh, well...maybe next year. Maybe so, maybe no. DD
The PG situation is not that complicated. Van Gundy tried to get Mike James. That didn't happen. So we distributed the same money among Spanoulis, Lucas, and Wells. Remember how excited we all were to land Wells with just SOME of the money we hadn't spent on James? We figured that among those 3 guys, something good would pan out. And guess what? We went 0 for 3. At least with Battier, we're better off than last year, when both Swift and Anderson were busts. This offseason, we'll try our luck again.
I kind of agree here Will, but at the same time, I think that if JL3 or V-Span would have gotten more minutes at the PG position ala REGULAR minutes, they would have grown in confidence and we would have a true backup PG. No player is going to grow all that much sitting on the bench, especially with so few practices during the regular season. Do JL3 and V-Span have holes in their games? Heck yes, but no more than Rafer. DD
If you play them for 5 or 6 minutes regularly over the course of the season when they don't give you the best chance to win, that absolutely can impact your final win total. And if you want to make the minutes even more sporadic, then I don't buy it would make any significant difference in terms of their "development." The ultimate goal, we all recognize, is getting far in the playoffs. I'm not convinced at all that Lucas or Spanoulis could have been developed into viable options for us in the playoffs, except in certain very specific situations. And that development would have required compromising our success in the regular season (and consequentially our seeding). That's how I look at it.
I don't buy it....playing them regular minutes does not ensure a win or a loss. You are just guessing. What if Sam Cassell never played as a rookie? My point is that by NOT playing them, they wasted a year, and the team still has the gigantic hole at backup PG. DD
That's pretty much it. We struck out with what we got for our MLE but at least it isn't a cap problem. And you can add Novak to the list of players that was used with the MLE. So that's Vspan, Lucas, Novak & Bonzi with our MLE. Low cost gambles that didn't pay off....but since they are low cost, it doesn't hurt the cap. But this offseason they are going to have to get a hit with their MLE. And might even have to make a trade to get in another vet player.
A trade? Let me guess....you are on Clutch's team...and would like a trade for oh....say......hmmmmmm......Mike James? DD
The point is Gundy wants to secure his Job.... He did not want to risk anything this season. He is also stubborn and likes guys who are totally loyal to the team and himself. IMO somewhat a mistake, I like loyalness, but not to an extend where you hurt the team and don't allow it to grow.... JVG is a good coach, we def don't know really whats going on in practice and off the court. Even tho today they did not go deep with all the questions, they were on point and better than ever before...
you don't get it?you'll never get it.sam never played so bad as a rookie if he had played like those 2 during his rookie year he would sit down at the end of the bench
Rafer's D isn't great, but it's much better than the crap most of you guys make him out to be. V-Span needs to improve his jumper to play more on this team. If V-Span won't improve his jumper, then he has to play w/more shooters. I've heard the Jason Kidd can't shoot but still is good argument. It's somewhat legit. Kidd brings a lot to the table with his passing and post up ability and rebounding. Kidd's terribly inconsistent jumper has really been very important throughout his career. Kidd is great, but his jumper is a giant liability, and prevents him from being dominant. I like V-Span...I like his passing ability and his grit. But it's not hard for defenses to figure out eventually that all you have to do against V-Span is go under the high PnR and then he's stuck. V-Span can't knock down that shot yet. That's why T-Mac gets trapped off the PnR because they don't want him to have that clean look. If the Roller doesn't get free for V-Span, then Span is forced to kick it to the wing and continue the play. Hey, the keyhole can be tiny and Span is good enough to make the pass to the roller, but that pass won't be consistently available until V-Span can shoot the jumper well.
what if he win the title with this group which he believe he can.anyway as you have already stated,you don't believe that this team will win so no point discussing this with you
Look, JVG has coached a team in the most competitive division, that had both superstars go down for significant # of games, to this point where we are poised to secure the home court advantage for Round 1. I would say he is doing a most things right, as far as the rotation goes. As for his defense of Rafer- My guess is that Rafer busts his ass in practice and takes direction well. He probably feels that Rafer is playing close to the top of his game. He is definitely our best option at this point, so what could JVG possibly gain by criticizing him publicly.
Sam got the chance to succeed and got comfortable playing the game with veteran players. I believe that both JL3 or V-Span would progress at a similar level if given the same opportunities as Sam was. Look, we know Rafer is bad....everyone knows...other coaches know that is why they leave him WIDE FRIGGEN open..... So, for the team to have assets available on the bench that COULD help out in those situations but to not have given them a fair shake is not very smart. JL3 got some chances at backup PG, but JVG did not like his shooting so much....JL3 is NOT a PG, he is a vastly undersized 2 guard. V-Span got some chances at backup SG, which again is not his natural position he is not a spot up shooter he is a pick and roll guard..... So, both players that could add a little versatility to the Rockets team....which would allow the team to better compete with the elite teams were just allowed to rot on the bench. At least find out what you have.....in the games... It was a wasted season....because this team will not be winning the championship as assembled, they just are too easy to defend......at crunch time for team's with more versatility. DD
This is somewhat true, but it depends on where you initiate the PnR......if it is at the top of the key, V-Span has that shot......if it is at the 3pt line...not so much. DD
i dont think this about a lot of people, but i dont think jvg gives a rats butt about 'securing' his job. This guy wants to win.
