JVG has had some questionable moves this season, but I think he is a good coach. I dont know what buttons he's 'trying to push' among the players, but, I think he deserves the respect of a full season with a relatively healthy Ming/McGrady combo, before his job should be in jeopardy. Many rag on him for not being buddy-buddy with players, but that was Rudy T's style (and I love Rudy), but that obviously didnt work with young players like Stevie Franchise. So I say, cut JVG some slack, and if the postseason comes, and were not at least 'in the mix', then start bellyaching.
Well, except I am an American who went to school at UT, Austin. I should put in another case for replacing JVG just to spite VanGundier: - He got a break in NY. Pat Riley put together the team, got it to the point it was ready for a championship run, but had a disagreement with Knicks and left. - JVG took over the team from Don Nelson, who naturally couldn't run a team Pat built. JVG, who learned for years under Pat, managed to use Pat's system and team and bring them to NBA final. Not bad, or is it? Well, you draw your own conclusion, as he tries to use the same system and, OMG, the same mentality and approach to Houston Rox, an entirely different team with an entirely different set of personalities.
Wow, after the loss, this poll has taken a turn towards the Nay. I guess that's to be expected. Rockets fans are a fickle bunch. At the end of the day, the expectations for this team this season is to win 50-55 games and to at least get past the first round. I like our chances of accomplishibyng both. JVG's teams always seem to get off the slow starts. It's encouraging that the "slow start" this year is 6-4 instead of 4-6. One thing about Van Gundy's teams is that they always seem to improve as the season progresses (barring injuries). If we're hitting our stride by the time Spring comes, we'll be in good shape to have home court advantage in the first round. Phoenix appears to be down this year, and I don't think Utah can maintain a 55+ win pace.
Fickle bunch? WTH is that? You mean those who previously voted in favor of JVG now changed their votes in this poll to oppose JVG? How is that friggin' possible? Since it's a non-public poll, shall we suspect Clutch did something that altered the results? Or was it the result of a hostile overnight takeover by evil thieving ChiCom pinkos? After all, as the racist bigot NewYorker recently said, all Chinese hate JVG? Or maybe, just maybe, could it possible that a vast silent majority of members on this board, who were previously undecided, have seen enough of JVG's coaching ineptitude, and are now speaking out against him? Sorry for my rant, durvasa, but I expect something more sensible and logical from you, even if it's opinionated. Speaking of the playoffs, with the way JVG is playing the starters and his utter reluctance to play the new Rockets additions, don't you have at least some concern that key guys may not have enough legs by the end of the regular season, even if they manage to say injury-free throughout the 82 games? Aren't you worry that we may still not have a deep bench, such that when the playoffs come, the same old squad might be outgunned like it was 2005 Houston-Dallas all over again?
Fuzzy - I think he's trying to insult me - but I can only see it if you quote him. I do think JVG needs a bit more creativity but actually the Rockets offense isn't bad, it just gets bogged down at times - which to me is more of poor execution then the actual plays. We'll see if this team gets it with time - I think they will.
not too sure about this part Most players that come to Houston think JVG is the best coach EVER..Jon Barry, Tmac, all the players that are unhappy are those that are lazy and stupid or both, ie bonzi, swift players who work hard and are committed reap the benefits...
You're probably right. I don't think overplaying the starters has been a real problem. I don't understand where that's coming from. No one on the team is even averaging over 38+ minutes a game. We have four starters averaging between 35-38 minute a game. That isn't excessive, in my opinion. In particular, McGrady is averaging just 36.4 MPG and Yao just 35.2 MPG. That's about right for them. For McGrady, that's his lowest since his third year. And Yao should be playing around 35 MPG at this stage in his career.
