Believes the Rockets should be bold in the offseason but must be right. They don't want to be afraid to make a move because they might fall back, but they also don't want to make the wrong move and fall back. Said it would be best if the Rockets made a trade before they go into free agency. He felt if they make a trade after free agency there is the chance they might end up with the wrong parts.
Cool, thanks for the info. We could be in for an interesting summer now that we actually have assets (expiring contracts). Of course, a lockout could wipe things out.
Here is a recap: Charlie Palillo (CP) teased him that he must have a lot of candy bars (1000 grams) CP: Have u watched game 7 tape yet? JVG: Not yet, 116-76 will resonate, either haunt or drive us to greater heights, hopefully will drive us. CP: Did u ever want to punch out Bill Walton b/c he has been openly campaigning for Phil Jackson to take over as Rockets coach? JVG: No, everyone has their opinions, he doesn’t mind him, doesn’t really listen to what the media says b/c certain networks wants more provocations and want to cause controversy. CP: Did it bother that Phil Jackson put out messages saying he is the right coach for Yao? JVG: No, he has his methods, any coach would be great to coach Yao, he doesn’t worry too much, loves the team and city and who he works for (Rockets). CP: What do think about Yao spending time in China? JVG: Overplayed, thinks Yao should be commended for dedication to Chinese National Team, he has time to rest and work on his game as well as honor commitment. CP: What area can Yao improve most? JVG: There’s not one thing, he has to get a little better at a lot of things…Read the SI article of who is most overrated. Was surprised that T-Mac was on that list. Feels expectations of Yao are built so high that he is underrated and not overrated. Yao needs to play more minutes b/c per 48 minutes he is as good as anyone. CP: Do you watch playoff games? JVG: He gets nervous watching his bro’s (Stan) games, turns it off when they are losing b/c he is superstitious and turns it on again when they’re winning. He thought Dallas would have won game 5 b/c Joe Johnson was out, talked more about dallas-suns series. Thinks Detroit is best team in east; Spurs best team in league. CP: Thoughts on the Rockets’ Offseason and FA’s, asked whether they have prioritized things yet? JVG: Said last season they traded Steve, Cat and Cato not b/c they weren’t very good players then and are still very good but because Mcgrady has greatness and you have to take a chance on greatness so it was a no brainer. During the season more changes were made and the pieces fit and played well. Thinks we’re pretty good but in a dangerous place b/c if we are nervous to make mistakes we could make the wrong move and could go downhill, but feels we have to be bold to be a top 4 team. He has ideas of what we need to do to improve. He loves the fit of the team but wants to increase the talent level while keeping chemistry which is very challenging.
Interesting. He mentioned that "we are nervous to make mistakes we could make the wrong move and could go downhill, but feels we have to be bold to be a top 4 team". Does this mean the Kidd to Rockets still possible?
To me, these comments scream..."we need/want to upgrade without damaging our current great chemistry. If we target a PF, we need to remove the glut before we go after the likes of Swift, Marshall, Abdur-Rahim, Antoine Walker or Chris Andersen..."
Interesting... JVG is dropping hints all over the place. I know there is some secret code in there somewhere that would give us a hint about what he will do this offseason, I just can't figure it out... SOMEONE PLEASE DECODE THAT INTERVIEW!
don't those two hate each other JVG refered to Phil Is BIG CHEIF TRIANGLE of something funny like that once Rocket River
You're welcome. I thought the same thing as I listened to the interview...When he said we NEED to be BOLD to be a top 4 team, I kept thinking J. Kidd...Maybe they have begun talks with the Nets (Probably wishful thinking). We would have to give up half our team to get him (not T-Mac and Yao of course) assuming Kidd tells the nets he will NOT play for them anymore and force a trade. JVG is going to on tomorrow (Fri) morning on John and Lance's show from 8-9am, I am sure he will talk about the same stuff.
Yea, seems that way. He did the same the morning of the trade deadline as well but I don't remember what he said. But, once the two trades happened that day, his comments reaked of hints. Sounds to me we should almost expect a trade before July 1st (start of free agency) and that they may already have someone in mind or maybe even something in the works that can't be finalized or announced until the playoffs are done.
OK, I'll take a stab at interpreting this. 1) He was surprised and delighted by the chemistry we put together during a season of upheavals. A-plus chemistry. He loves this team. 2) But it's clear after the playoffs, especially that Game 7 drubbing, that we don't have the talent to go deeper. We're not just a little bit short -- we're a lot short. We probably need 2 serious acquisitions to become a legit championship team. Dilemma: How to solve #2 without compromising #1 too much? We have to be bold to solve #2. But the current team turned out so spectacularly at #1 that he dreads tampering with it. He knows the chances of recovering this level of chemistry are slim. Implication: The players he'd like to acquire to solve #2 are the type who may damage #1. Athletic, talented, but possibly head cases. Still, we have to roll the dice, because a series a year isn't enough. We have to break some eggs and go for the big prize.
Ah, come on Will...stop flirting with us. Who do you think he's thinking of? You know he's got a specific name in mind. Just from those statements...or more properly your interpretation...I'd guess Swift, Sprewell, or maybe even SAR (on the general theory that SAR is going to affect how the team plays).
Better known as, the Portland Trailblazers. GATER- I've figured it out. By "bold" he's actually referencing Anquan Bolden, a Florida State product. We have 2/3 of that early 90s Florida State backcourt in Charlie Ward and Bob Sura. Who is the one we're missing? Sam Cassell.
So... he's got his eyes on somebody that's already under contract? Somebody that will require giving up a few players (and some chemistry with them). That doesn't have to mean Kidd. It could be any number of talented players that aren't max guys.
