Great post. I can't stand the Homer Rockets fans who hate on Phil simply because he coaches a team we all hate. He actually is a good coach HOWEVER i do have criticism about him. He only likes to coach teams with tart studded lineups. To be honest, He hasn't ever been tested as a coach as he's had the priviledge of working talented teams.
I saw the difference in playoffs. First year was still a transition year for Adelman. He was seeing what he could and could not do with the players. He tried getting the players to move and react and he failed miserably in the first half of the season. Things started to pick up in the second half but the Rocket players were still seemed too pre progmrammed. Despite not having Yao, Rockets offense was much better against the Jazz than it was under Gundy. Gundy's team set some pitiful records in that series because his idea of offense was to give the ball to Yao or McGrady and get the hell out of the way. The improvements under Adleman (offense)were much more noticeable this year. Players are moving a lot more without the ball. Ball has been moving around and load on offense is being shared. Offense is much more unpredictable. I absolutely do not think or believe that Gundy would have been able to run an offense without McGrady that could have taken us into playoffs much less past the first round, as Adelman has this year. Gundy is widely regarded as a defensive genius but an average at best when it comes to offense, which is why Adelman was brought in. Considering that Adelman has not abandoned defense but is constantly trying to improve Rockets offense, I cant see how anyone can argue against Adelman's hiring.
Yes to Spoon over Landry. Landry as a rookie would not have played. It even took a while for Adelman to play him. Lowry wouldn't have been here b/c JVG wouldn't be flexible enough to deal with a trade of Alston. Spanoulis or Wafer - neither. Wafer was a longshot to make the team this year. There were 6 guys that played the same position as him. He made the team b/c Adelman wanted him on the team. Azibuike didn't make JVG's team, and there weren't 6 guys ahead of him. Heck, just listen to JVG commentate a game Wafer plays in if you think he would ever want him on his team. Yes to Howard over Scola. Scola's defensive instincts were a mess, and still are. Not good enough for JVG. Brooks wouldn't have been drafted. Apart from Adelman wanting him, how do I know this? Because the Rockets acquire players that fit the coach and system. Brooks would not have fit JVG. When Gay was drafted and traded for Battier, the guy the Rockets would have drafted if not for the trade was Sefalosha. Ask yourself, if Adelman were coaching, do the Rockets target Sefalosha? No way.
Cuban cared so more about winning than money, when did a flashy trade to get an over the hill Jason Kidd to sell more tickets. After they got eliminated by a weak team like the Nugs, how did he improve the Mavs over the Rockets?
How has it been proved that the reason for Luther Head getting a lot of playing time wasn't because of injuries? Was Alston healthy during Head's rookie year?
JVG wanted Gay gone for battier. I doubt he would have given landry, scola, wafer, and brooks much of a shot. They are good defensive players. I am pretty sure wafer would not be on the team if jvg was coach.
