My point is, if the choice IS we must get rid of one or the other, there is no contest. I live in Austin and don't have the chance to see as many games as those in H-town, so I've been a little behind and haven't understood the last 2 years w/ everyone saying "Trade Steve" but what I've seen in the last 3 months (w/ games televised) and AT the game against Denver, I'm on the bandwagon. Sweet Mother! How many chances do you need? Steve continues to make idiotic choices, or worse, NO Choice AT ALL on the court and then act as if its everyone else's fault and his ass don't stink. If you've noticed this week JVG seems to be a little less uptight. I think he is letting Steve, in the playoffs plead his own case in front of the Nation of Rocketball. And with every pass to the 8 year old in row 4 and shot at nothing in particular, he is pleading his case/showing his truest self. It may not be his fault that he is not a true pg, but it doesn't have to be our problem.
It's not Van Gundy- Plug in any of the other top coaches- Larry Brown, Rick Carlisle, Popavich, Sloan, Hubie Brown etc. into this team... Same thing- They all expect- smart decisions, tough defense, offensive execution They all hate turnovers and mental mistakes, sloppy plays and sloppy passes. Van Gundy said from day 1 it wasn't a matter of turnovers but one of discipline, execution and mental toughness. Making good decisions consistantly. The difference with Van Gundy and these other coaches is not basketball but personality (Van Gundy shows zero charisma) If he has a fault he is too candid at times. But what he has asked this team to do any other good coach would agree with. When this team cuts down on stupid decisions, consistantly executes on offense and defense, plays hard tough defense and has the intenisty to win especially late in the games they will become a contender. Whether that can be done with the current roster remains to be seen.
WTF? Phoenix made the playoffs last year with a 44-38 record (as the 8th seed). Denver made the playoffs this year with a 43-39 record (as the 8th seed). Suddenly, one game = weak? That measly two-win improvement was the difference between playoffs and no playoffs this year. That's huge, IMO.
Steve had a great game. He is inconsistent. Trade Steve, but only if you can get an All-Star Point Guard in return or a top 10 point guard plus another strong player. It isn't going to happen. Steve is actually getting better slowly. It is frustratingly slow but it is happening. Thr Rockets are playing hard and I am proud of them. We just need a bit more outside shooting. Whatever happened to Piatkowski. Now there is disappointment.
Steve had 11 FGA and 8 FTA, an equivalent of 11+8/2 = 15 FGA. Compare that to 11+2/2 = 12 for Cat. 13+5/2 = 15 for JJ 19+7/2 = 22 for Yao 7 + 4/2 = 9 for MoT. Everyone plays about the same minutes as Steve. MoT played less but that is his role. Even under Rudy, when MoT came into the game, we went to him. That's how you use a scorer off the bench. You also need to watch the games more. Steve is not gonna be able to go ISO in today's NBA. Remember the play last night when Steve tried to go 1v1 against Kobe and Kobe was laughing at him the whole time? Kobe knew he had the whole team behind him to help stop Steve. Steve ended up puttin up a weak shot that barely touched the rim. If teams know Steve going 1 on 1, he is dead meat. Steve can mix up with some passing and when the opponents honor the other Rockets' shot, Steve can operate against a single defender and take it to the hoop. It's called smart basketball. You don't have to make it tough on yourself by going 1v2 or more and put up circus shots. Why do you want to shoot 40% when you can shoot 45%+?
Amen, Piat and Aggie (Adrian Griffin just thought that up) are both big time busts for what was expected. People including myself need to get real about what we have here and what their roles should be.
So looks like strengthen our bench and improve PF spot will then become our No1 priority in this summer? But how can we do that, if SF won't be traded, then Cat is the only other valuable chips we have for a trade, but if he is traded, who is going to be out 2 ? JJ? Then who will be our 3 after moving JJ to 2? Basically we are doomed by Cato and Taylor's contract, and we don't have any valuable draft picks. Thanks to CD and Rudy.
Only Houston fans would complain about a player recording a triple-double in HIS SECOND FREAKING PLAYOFF GAME Some of you make me sick.
Look, I'm not putting all the blame on JVG, because its obvious that Steve deserves just as much, if not more, of the blame. I'm not saying give Steve the ball more, and it doesn't help that SF can't hit shots. But he isn't using Steves talent the way he should. I want to feed Yao everytime he is on the court, but I want to see SF take over when Yao sits. Instead, JVG wants Steve feeding MoT in the post for iso-plays. Yes, I do understand the dilemna JVG is in. But I haven't seen him do anything to change this. PJ solved Shaq/Kobe by telling Kobe to take over when Shaq isn't in and it works. But telling Steve to always pass isn't using a 3-time allstar's talent. Right now JVG is only using half of our talent.
Please , Please , Please tell me how Van Gundy prepared this team for the second half last nite. Explain to me how this is Steve's fault. Van Gundy is here for multi years- there is no way Mr. Alexander is going to buy out his contract. Sell Steve in a fire Sale if you think it will help this team. The Colangelo syndicate just sold the Suns for $408,000,000-US. Mr. Alexander has a long ternm lease on a new building. He can certainly get more than 200,000,000 to 250,000,000. Sell the team Mr. Alexander.....
...and RudyT wouldn't have led them to 9-8 or 10-7 down the stretch a year ago? Van Grumpy's team BACKED INTO the playoffs. Given a choice, I would take the 45-win 2000/1 Rockets + a second year Yao Ming in a second over this incarnation.
