even tho I don't like JVG and want him to go, this is just BS it's playoff time and this is the first thing writers and people like Justice will put out... this is pure speculation IMO
whatever happens with jvg, i hope to high heaven larry brown isn't the replacement. whatever complaints you have about jvg (and i have my own) apply a fortiori to larry brown. don't do it les! if jvg is replaced (and it wouldn't be terribly impossible if the rockets don't go far this year), it had better be for a coach that brings something different than jvg, not someone who is a more egotistical and stubborn version of the coach we already have.
http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=2848273 Sonics fire coach Hill, remove GM Sund in shakeup We could hire Bob Hill as JVG's replacement. I rather have JVG.
I think Jeff Van Gundy wants to come back. He has been quoted a few times saying that he has really fallen in love with the city of Houston and lives here year-round, having sold his home in New York. Of course some people around here don't trust anything that comes out of his mouth, but I don't think we have any reason to suspect that he's lying about that. Additionally, were he to walk away, any team he took over would be in dire straits and he'd have to spend years instituting his system and players to be successful-- without a Tracy McGrady or Yao Ming. It doesn't take a genius to know that those kinds of players don't come around often. Though everyone in the organization has kept mum about it (and really, why shouldn't they?), I think that the contract hasn't been worked out at this point for two reasons: Money, for one. After a dismal, going-nowhere season last year, waiting another year gives JVG a chance to show his talents working with a healthy team. It didn't totally work out that way, but I can see how leading the Rockets to a strong showing in the playoffs would allow the coach to bargain from a position of strength during negotiations. Two, I personally think that Van Gundy truly didn't want to have to go through the difficult process just before one of the most important seasons of his coaching career. He's a guy whose strength lies in complete absorbtion by basketball, not things like contract negotiations. Sure, number two isn't as important a factor as number one, but it's still a factor. Maybe Les Alexander really dislikes JVG personally and feels he's a bad "face" for the organization. Perhaps, too, he feels that it's second round or bust for JVG this year, and if it's one-and-done, he'd like to give someone else a try in the top spot. It's impossible to know right now. But I consider it pretty likely that, if given the chance to return, Van Gundy will take it happily.
Musselman was just fired. SAc is talking about Reggie Theus (WNBA and former King) and PJ Carlessimo as candidates. My favorites are currently employed... Byron Scott, Eddie Jordan, Lawrence Frank, and Flip saunders. I would have put Avery Johnson on the list, but after Nellie ate him for lunch in game 1 i would wonder...
Sort of sounds like me! But I don't want to get rid of JVG as I consider him an important part of the Rockets development & success. What I do want is another different mind to work in conjunction with JVG as co-head coach but incharge of offence. He would be one who has gone through all levels as a player and bring a fresh outlook to our game. In this way I feel sure that players like Nachbar and Novac would have been developed and used as specialist role players, a thing that JVG seems incapable of doing, without being forced to do so! Having met JVG he seems a very decent person and one who would garner mutual respect with the players. For the addition,the sort of coaching personality, I have in mind is Mario Ellie. I also hope that the new Manager will not make the same mistake as bringing V Span from Europe, when the coach clearly was incapable of adapting his style of play into the team.
Rockets doesn't seem like an org to do this unless they had a sure candidate in mind who would want the Rockets job. When we sacked Rudy, Larry Brown, Paul Silas and JVG were our options. Dumping Jeff for a nobody after a respectable regular season record seems too careless a move to make. If Les was genuinely unsatisfied, I'd think he'd pull the one yr contract option.
For as much as I think JVG's stubborn mindset on FA's, and his very limited offensive gameplanning is, I wouldnt want him to leave unless these coaches became available. Mike D'Antoni Greg Popovich Flip Saunders Thats about the short list as it stands now.
I'm pretty sure this was a Richard Justice exclusive as I heard him discussing it this morning. No offense to Richard, but I don't trust anything he ever says.
I like Gundy and wouldn't want to see him go. However, I wonder if a T-Mac/Yao tandem would be enough to lure Coach K out of the collegiate ranks. Or would anyone like to see Rudy T back? Just a thought...
Awful awful timing to bring up the JVG contract issue. The Rockets are in the midst of playoff winning streak. The last thing we want is distraction from local media against a paramount Rocket figure. Shame on you Richard Justice.
why in the world would you write an article like this at this point in the postseason??? the more i think about it, the more infuriated i get with justice here. serves absolutely, positively no purpose right now... nevermind the fact that it has absolutely, positively no goddamned substance. what an inopportune time to create a completely unneccessary distraction. two things: 1. barring a playoff meltdown, if van gundy isn't offered an extension i wil be FURIOUS. 2. dick justice can kiss my a$$. to hell with him.
I don't like JVG's system. maye it's effective in winning playoff games, but it has zero creativity in offensive plays. JVG is not a leader, he has no charisma and is not inspirational. we don't have a leader in our players either, neither T-mac or Yao is a leader type. I think we need to find a coach who is capable of coaching as well as leading. So If we don't pass 2nd round, or even the first round this year, I want JVG to go.
I don' think it's just Lex's call. Jeff also won't be interested to come back next year if they end up losing in the first round and if he thinks that the team is not responding well to his coaching pilosophy. If we fail to achieve the ultimate goal but in a respectable way, not by getting swept or losing by 50 points, I think we'll see him back. Unless of course DD starts sending some threatening mails to him .
Tell me about it. I don't know what's the deal with the houstonchronicle -- one guy whining about "Yao is good but not great", the other brought up JVG's contract. Don't they realize Rockets are in the middle of fighting for their life in the middle of a PLAYOFF
Looks like Justice doesn't expect much out of this year's playoff run!!! What, does he think JVG is going to be let go after a strong playoff showing? Justice is talking like the season is over!
