Exactly. Some teams, the GM builds a roster and inserts a coach to run the show (Dumars in Detroit). Others, the coach has complete say on player managment and the GM carries out the orders (Popovich in SA). Sometimes it's a compromise (Lakers with Jackson-Buss-Kupchak). You can't have a willful GM making moves independant of a willful coach (the Brown-Thomas NY disaster). Every situation is different. For us, JVG is a willful coach that wants veterans and puts a premium on experience and effort over raw talent. Dawson tends to be less of a visionary and more of a facilitator in his job. That's why we had such a premium on shooters in the Rudy days (Drew, Turkan, Langhi, Bullard, etc). The interesting thing to see is what happens next year when/if JVG and Dawson both leave. Evan
Old Man Rock- you start out the post saying Quote For you Van Gundy fans, this is not an attack on JVG's coaching ability Unqote And now you basically suggest if JL3 does not sign with the Rockets, it is because of JVG- that basically shows that you would blame JVG for Houston traffic! JL3 should find a spot- but if we are in the "hold your purse" mode, there is nothing you anyone can do. If you hate Gundy- no point in hiding it or being PC about it. But dont blame the man for contract and money issues.
You got me. Busted. I blame Van Grumpy for the traffic... the rain on the the 4th of July... the war in Iraq. I was just trying to cut you guys some slack.
Questions: Who wanted to keep Bowen and ship Padgett? JVG said later that Padgett's departure was a mistake. Whose? Who wanted to trade James for Alston? CD recently said that James was a "perfect fit," so who traded him? Who didn't want Rudy Gay, viewed by many as the top talent in the draft? JVG said he would have played him. Huh!? Who wanted Swift? Apparently not JVG. He barely he played him. Who wanted him gone? Who wanted Battier? Most comments about his arrival have come from CD. These mysteries must be solved!
He actually said the exact opposite, but there is no reason to let little things like facts get in the way of your theory.
I would hate to lose JL3, but I also feel that JL3 will go the same road as Swift if he chooses to stay under JVG, and I hate that too. Your thought?
John Lopez aint my fav. sports columnist by a long shot but ... Long ago, the Rockets knew who was boss. The boss, owner Leslie Alexander, allowed his trusted leadership to make decisions. The coaching and support staff felt loyalty to the head coach. And the coach empowered assistants and scouts to do their jobs. Today, it's difficult to tell who's coming, who's going and just how many hands are on the rudder. That's the biggest affliction hurting the Rockets: captains everywhere. And it doesn't appear to be getting any better. There's been the hiring of statistical guru Daryl Morey as the eventual replacement to general manager Carroll Dawson. But Morey won't replace Dawson immediately, and Dawson likely will stick around, hovering as some kind of consultant or senior adviser. How many NBA teams hire a general manager, then tell him to sit and wait through an apprenticeship of sorts? For that matter, how many teams hire a general manager who needs an apprenticeship? There's also the whole Dennis Lindsey factor. The talented vice president for basketball operations was bypassed for the GM job, then offered a four-year extension to stay. But to whom will Lindsey be loyal? Morey? Dawson? Coach Jeff Van Gundy? Toss in Alexander, whose deep involvement in every player-personnel decision can be as big a hindrance as a help, and you've got five leaders pulling in as many directions. Until that sense of pulling in the same direction returns and one voice reigns over every personnel decision, this club will not be much more than decent. And it will always be on fragile footing. http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/lopez/rockets/3806240.html
I think JVG's role in player personnel decisions is overstated on the BBS. I'm not saying he isn't involved, but I don't think it is nearly as important as some think. He himself has stated many times his job isn't to get the players, but to get the players he is given to play a certain, winning style of basketball. Not that I necessarily like that style. I always thought it was more along the lines of CD, etc. (with the etc. apparently being way too many people) finding some players, THEN asking JVG his opinion.
Your Right I stand corrected. CD said they spoke to JVG and he wasn't going to play Gay. An then JVG had a press conference and said he plays the best players, he plays rookies. Who's lying. DO you want to guess who I think it is. Maybe it was just I misunderstanding. Sounds like a feud to me.
Mr. Van Gundy "said the exact opposite" after the fact. Actions speak louder than words, and the actions of this particular dog continue to be as regular as clockwork.
Charlie Ward, Vin Baker, Marc Jackson, Rod Strickland, Rick Brunson, Charles Oakley etc... are all evidence that JVG has say in personel decisions in the past. Instead of giving those dinosaurs a shot, why not mix in some new and young talent when a roster spot is available? Sorry, not a part of JVG's ex knicks retirement program and win now at the cost of future attitude.
