JVG and accountability - or lack thereof

^No, I did not say this board is not the place for 'constructive' criticism or whatnot. It is.

However, I'm tired of seeing your negativity and fussiness all the time. In fact, you're quite the hypocrite - you complain about JVG being a stubborn, mean, and negative coach - in your stubborn, negative thinking way!

 

No, of course more VSpan is not what we need. More JL3 or Novak isn't what we need either.

But Snyder is a legit NBA player sitting on the bench while some vets are burning and their shots are not failling, and last game they didn't bring an ounce of D either. Big Jake could also possibly lesson Deke's load, but I have less problem with that. I'd rather see Howard get more C minutes that frees up forward minutes (trickle down, play SB and Tmac more at the 4 to make room at the 3 and 2 for Snyder and Bonzi).

Use some creativity JVG to use your legit NBA players and spread the load around.

 

Ok come on now. I also hate the short bench too, but not because we need to punish Howard, Battier and Deke because they are not doing their best.

Don't give the vets a whip, but give them rest and mix things up. Particularly when you have capable and energy guys like Hayes and Snyder ready to bring it.

 

Who says JVG can't get it done in the postseason? He's only had one real chance with us in the playoffs and we almost knocked off a stacked Dallas team. We had a much worst roster back then than now. JVG has had postseason success. He took an eight seeded Knicks team to the NBA Finals. Lockout season or not, they were not championship material. And you are wrong about Phil J, he doesn't like to play rookies unless he is forced to, just like JVG. He rather have some experienced Vets than take time to develop young players.

 

Well, I can tell you're sincere about this, I respect that...I just find it ironic you criticize characteristics of JVG that you blatantly have yourself. But whatever.

 

Yes on Deke rest.

Yes on no meaningfull minutes to Novak, VSpan (or JL3).

Not sure on Tsac. (right now rather have Howard get more of his minutes at C)

No on cutting out Bonzi. We need his talent and he is just "rounding" into shape More seriously, I am hopefull he can produce in the playoffs and be a good asset.

But with a little creativity (playing more big SGs--Wells, Snyder; small PFs--SB, Tmac; small Cs--Howard and maybe even Hayes versus a nonoffensive opponent) we can get a lot more of the strength of our team, our swingmen and forwards, and should not have one of our legit NBA players (Snyder) not sniffing the floor when we look weary and lethargic.

 

I am just saying JVG rotation does not look like Pops or Jackson. JVG doesn't have their post record either, that is a fact. Doesn't mean he isn't a heck of coach, but the other guys brought multiple teams across the finish line.

And I am not talking about playing rookies. Not saying play more VS, Novak, JL3. But Snyder is a legit NBA player. Phil J and Popovich do give their veteran subs big heavy and have always used them to bring energy and change the pace of a game where their team looked flat. Doesn't always work, but they try it.

Having an 8 man rotation when you have 9 legit guys (maybe 10, Tsac) is a poor use of the bench. Particularly when you have lots of flexible, multiposition players, and one of your 8 man guys is like 45 and should only be asked to play 12-15 minutes in a regular season game. We want this team fresh and humming for the playoffs--just look at how SA's minutes are broken down by comparison--it is obvious the strat differences in rotation and conserving the key players for the playoffs.

 

Oh really?!?! Pass any judgments you say...

the one thing I've learned about you is that you're a passionate ROOKIE fan. Reading your posts about the Rox is like listening to an oversexed virgin talk about women. Still I get a kick out of them, quite entertaining. I do recognize that you're a Rox fan, but you remind me of that fan in the ESPNNEWS commercial that gets made fun of for talking out of his arse about sports.

 

I agree with Desert Scar that Van Gundy needs to get Snyder into the rotation. There has to be a way that Snyder can be used to at least shave a few minutes off of Battier's and McGrady's load. Maybe Snyder can be used against the more athletic teams. Bonzi can be a nice post-up option right now with Yao still sidelined, but when he is not on his game he doesn't give much out there. Snyder's energy can at least give a nice change of pace. That would be my main criticism of Van Gundy's use of his bench. Otherwise, I think his rotation is in line with most teams in the NBA (have a look at the Suns rotation...it's shorter than Gary Coleman). Van Gundy is not going to "teach veterans a lesson" by emptying the bench in a game that was close throughout. How many games this year has Van Gundy stuck by players having bad shooting games and been rewarded with big 4th quarters? The trust that Van Gundy and his players have developed between each other is a big reason they have been one of the top five teams in the league even without Yao and McGrady playing together much this year.

 

woo hooo to the Mana concert tonight

 

I'll tell you what DD, how about a little wager. I am certain the Rockets will win the first round and you apparently say they won't. Whoever loses agrees to limit posting to ONE post per day. How about it big guy?

 

I've already highly praised JVG in another thread a few hours ago, so to keep my post from being long winded let me just say that if we were really getting beaten up on good JVG will and has benched his starters. We were in the Atlanta game, for the most part, the entirety of the game. I don't know about you but if we have a chance to win and we arent being trounced I want guys like Tracy, Skip, Deke, Yao, and Juwan on the court. I think by JVG keeping his main rotation guys in there he gives a confident nod to his main starters and backups.

Furthermore, this season we have, for the most part, beaten the teams we need to beat, the teams we should beat. As much or more so than any team save for maybe Dallas. Sometimes great teams get beat by more mediocre teams, this can happen for 100 reasons, but if we have a chance to win those kind of games I want the starters out there.

Also, teams like New Orleans, Golden State, and Minnesota that we've lost to... we've lost to those teams not because they are bad. Those teams are good teams that have the talent and firepower to, with a little luck, upset teams like us, Dallas, San Antonio, and Utah. Are we better? Yes, but we lost because we were off our game and they were on it that night... not because JVG didn't bench his starters. Guarantee you that in the playoffs if we met those teams they'd be toast.

 

The Rockets can only beat Utah? Huh? The Rockets have kicked the Spurs butts, and but for a last second miss by Luther would be 2-2 against the Mavs. The Rockets have not played well against Suns but I guarantee you the Suns have no answer for Yao. You look at teams like the Mavs and the Suns and shake in your boots. Your attitude is, "They are better than us, we need to get other players, a new coach, and pray." Me? I'm totally content with this team and I think we are even money to beat the Suns and the Mavs.

Yao IS THE BEST PLAYER IN THE NBA. The Rockets are winning 2 out of 3 games without the BEST PLAYER IN THE NBA. What part of that do you not understand? How can you not comprehend the significance of that? No, you fret over JHo, Rafer, JVG, the bench, and on and on. Me? I look at the Rockets and see a 2 superstars (2 of the best 8 players in the NBA), 6 solid veteran role players, an outstanding coach and say, "Wow we've got something special here. The Rockets shouldn't be worrying about the Mavs and the Suns, they should be worrying about the Rockets." See the difference? Proabably not, so go back to your whining.