JVG=the REAL XFactor

Keeping Tomjanovich wouldn't lead us to a ring. The perfect situation was that Hakeem was ready at the time when Rudy took over. Fast forward to the Barkley/Pippen days and you can say it was fun to watch. But mearly trying to turn back the clock (older players trying to beat father time).

Rudy may have still been here if Francis wasn't picked up by us. Because, as you know, the coach is the first to go. The novaltity of the *new* player will always get the benifit of the doubt. Not the coach.

So, it's easy to say, "We should have kept Rudy" after the fact (Francis was his demise, and a bit Yao).

It goes the other way too. Bring in Phil, we lose 0-5 games and then most of the blame goes to the players. That's just the way it goes. The newness allows some leeway.

And "our" way doesn't meant anything about our past Rocket nostalgia. Any coach that bring a titles, become "our way (even JVG)." That's what I mean there.

 

I said, "KEEPING Tomjanovich wouldn't lead us to a ring." Hakeem (ten year vet at the time). It was a perfect situation.

edc hates JVG offense. Well, I hated Rudy's offense (simpleton; similar iso plays, and very little internal passing). And Rudy was not a defensive coach (Hakeem was a defensive monster). At least JVG can teach defense to guys not named Hakeem.

JVG may have a generic half-court style. But at least he calls plays that consist of running screens, back doors, and have his players share the ball more. Rudy's offense was mainly iso based coupled with the 3. His playing callin? "Give the ball to Kobe and let him create. Next play, Kobe create, pass to the open 3 man. Got it? Good."

Next....

"Give the ball to Kobe and let him create. Next play, Kobe create, pass to the open 3 man. Got it? Good."

Next, replace Kobe's name with Odem (their 2nd best player). Repeat, wash, rinse.

I'm sure he'll have more success with Kobe than Francis. But still. I hate that offense. Very little creativity. It's not even "by the book (like JVG)" creative.

 

that was fairly true last night against utah's stifling D (go with the lowest common denominator when things aren't working) but there was tons of movement in the first game against the nuggets. way more than we have.

 

that's great guys. every coach expects there team not to make silly to's. but we made a ton last year and have started off that way this year. last year, playing a slower game, we turned the ball over 2 more times a game and went from a middle of the pack turnover team to almost leading the league. again, playing a slower game. that's terrible. whether you don't teach something or have no idea how to do it, the end result is what matter and we turn it over a lot more than before jvg got here.

and i guess he's been trying to teach them how to pass, move, and shoot for over a year now. and they're not doing it. everyone teaches that. some are good at it. some have systems that are good and make it easier to accomplish. some teach it better. you can excuse any coach of any shortcoming if you just say he's teaching them the right things because all coaches are. being able to is what separates the good from the bad. apparently jvg knows how to do this on defense and has little idea on offense. the burden of proof on the offensive side is on jvg, not on his detractors.

 

No "after the fact." I said it when it happened, and I'm still saying it. I disagree about "what would've happened," but the point is moot. The past is past, and RT would never come back unless Le$ sells the organization.

Further, if you believe your other statement, Phil Jackson as head coach winning titles would also be "our" way, so you should be 100% behind him if you believe "his resume is better" for the job of winning championships.

 

f4p,
Perfect situation as in, Hakeem was perect for Rudy and vice versa. It wasn't a "Rudy did it all himself" thing, like others seem to imply. As time when on, and Hakeem started to have knee problems, the team started to falter. It was dependent on both the Rudy/Hakeem team.

Hakeem really wasn't a great passer. Mostly a system passer (inside-out, pass to the 3). But not really a internal passer like Walton or Karreem. Because of that, Rudy's simple offense was "perfect for Hakeem."

Now after the "Hakeem/Drexler" era. Merely saying, "Rudy lead the team to two championships and he can do that with anybody" is not necessarily true. He was never considered a "great coach." People here just see the past titles, and when in the context of Rudy, associate "greatness." It wasn't like that.

It was a prefect situation for Rudy and Hakeem.

On a side note for a second...

The Rudy/Francis connection (unlike Hakeem) was the most *imperfect* situation. The teams success hinged on how Rudy coached Francis. And I say it was imperfect because you mesh Rudy's "give the ball to your best player" with Francis's limited, iso/turnover style (compared to Hakeem or Drexler). And it was doomed to fail.

Back to topic...

As far as defense. It wasn't until after JVG took over that we started to see defensive improvements on the court (guard defense). Mobley really changed his game. Cato was rejuvenated. And Yao started to get this block timing down (which is partially due to physical part, but also technique). Before that, I really didn't consider us a defensive team.

Yao addition really changed a lot of things too, how the offense would be run (Rudy or no Rudy).

"Doing it (movement) for no reason?" What's the reason? Was it 42-45 wins? Or trying to achive 50+ wins?

Put it this way...if the team continued to "NOT move WITH reason (iso)" you'd still get your 45 wins. It may be fun to watch Francis go iso all the time, what good does it do it you can't get the best player to mesh with the rest of the team. If both type of offensives acompish the same results: 45 wins. Then, yes, it "accomplishes nothing." But you have to say that about both styles.

Now...you say, "no purpose." Well, that's what JVG is trying to overcome. He's trying to teach theses guys to move without the ball "with purpose." If they are not on the same page, then it will continue to be *without purpose.* But that's what practices is for. That's what team work is for.

And stop thinking that ball movment is about "presentation." It's about trying to achive a team goal. And that's a team philosophy that you may not like, but if the team can have a balance of "star" play (some iso) with team play, that's what I'm for.

Also, I never said that the "lesser guys get it (the ball) over the stars" ALL THE TIME. The lesser guys don't get it (the ball) *more* than the better guys (McGrady/Yao will still get MOST of the shots). It's that the role players just get more touches (than under Rudy) because those role player need to be involved. That's all.

 

Only after JVG has had time. Then, we move on. That's the the progression. But you don't follow that. You want him gone today.

 

I personally feel that JVG can't make the proper adjustments to balance out the offense/defense. He seems real stubborn on the way he wants to play his games. While it worked somwhat for the Knicks, this Rocket team has more potential than any other team I can remember. I just hope we don't waste it.

He wasted it already with the franchise. Did you forgett the franchise of before jvg era?

 

[ [/B][/QUOTE]