There’s also been quite a few coaches who have gotten jobs the last few years that weren’t anywhere close to JVG’s capabilities. Granted, I don’t think he leaves ESPN/ABC for any job other than Houston. TF hiring the cheapest option would mean promoting somebody in-house... which may not be terrible if he has respect of the stars.
Did Poppovich contribute to stagnation as well? And Riley went from embracing fast-pace basketball in the 80’s to ruining the game in the 90’s? Good coaches adapt to their personnel. They also inspire and get the most talent out of their guys, they have a pulse on the team chemistry, and they relate well to their stars. X’s/O’s and strategy are part of it... although Steve Kerr wasn’t some mastermind in disguise. If the Rockets really want to have a punchers chance of winning something in the Harden/Westbrook era, they need a coach who can get the ultimate most out of them.
Oh man this team would eat each other alive. Karl was toxic and this new generation would not do well with his style. I’d take a run at JVG and add some really good young assistants that can bring a fresh flavor. I really don’t want Thibs unless he comes as an assistant and that’s not happening.
I will freely admit that JVG isnt anywhere near the offensive mind that MDA is... but where JVG can be the superior HEAD COACH is in the fact that he's not a wuss... imo... lol MDA is the kinda guy that you can have a regular season to 'cherish' with... but JVG is the kinda tenacious little terrier you'd be willing to go to war with! LOL!
JVG holds players accountable, but the real issue is will James Harden let any coach hold him accountable for dumb **** he does. Will he get pissed if JVG reads him the riot act for a 10 turnover game or missing defensive assignments.
Pop goes to Nets, Jackson and Kerr going to Knicks. Jackson signs first 3 years and Kerr following 8 years.
Heresy but... Phil Jackson actually blames Rudy Tomjanovich. Called the force ball into the post strategy as ugly basketball.
Karl is the coach version of McGrady. Also choked with Team USA with SIXTH place finish in the World Championships.
Every coach has apparently clashed with Harden in some form or another... at some point, you can't say its the coach... unless Harden is perfectly fine with his accomplishments and only going as far as the WCF in his career. He'll end up being in the Steve Nash category of MVP's who never led his team to the finals.
If the goal of every possession is to have the ball in your best players/play-makers hand, while maybe not aesthetic, can you really say its not a good strategy? The triangle does promote movement... but the end result is the ball gets to Jordan. And at the end of games, they rarely ran the triangle set and simply let Jordan bring the ball up and create. To me, dumping it into Hakeem is the same as Harden getting isolated and getting a chance to create.
Also, fwiw, has any former player come out and said anything negative about their time playing for JVG? By all accounts, they were all willing to run through a wall for him... and would still do so. That right there is the difference between "similar" coaches like JVG and Thibs. Both demand accountability and can be very authoratative... but one of them knows how to do it while still maintaining players' respect and being able to relate/connect. Thibs has all the fundamental philosophies down on basketball.. but he apparently severely lacks people skills, and his teams eventually reject his hard-nosed concepts.
To be fair to T-Mac, he never had anywhere near as much talent as Karl's teams have had. Even lost 3x in the 1st round coaching the Bucks and missed the playoffs once. He had Ray Allen, GRobinson, Cassell, even Gary Payton again for one of those 1st round exits. Redd. Kukoc. Mason.Tim Thomas,etc
Triangle was suppose to conserve energy of the star players, which also meant lower usage rate. Triangle is read and react system intended to go for the path of least resistance. Thus, in the 4th quarter, the "St. Michael offense" can be relied upon.
