Agreed. Novak looked lost on the defensive and offensive end of the court. As far as the Barry comparison, Brent can handle the ball better and knows how to play team defense. Not saying Novak won't learn this, but I think the extended playing time he got was proof that he is not ready yet. That said, I hope he learns quickly, because his shooting is lethal. Unfortunately, that is all he is good for at the moment.
I don't think many here are necessarily saying JVG is the best coach inthe league, but we were 22-10 (or was it 21-10) last year with our two superstars, who this team is built around, and we are 11-5 right now. I'm not a huge JVG fan, but lots of you are just reaching trying to criticize him. I bet if we win a championship this year in 7 games, lots of you will say we would have won in 4 if it wasn't for JVG. Novak is not ready. Simple fact. He is too mistake prone and weak to play the 4 consistently. He will get better, but we shouldn't make him a priority over the team right now. Also, none of us knows the real Bonzi situation. Do I want him to play? Yes. But I don't think he isn't just b/c JVG doesn't personally like him. I seriously doubt Les would put up with that...it is his team after all.
Now that is ridiculous (first sentence). I guess team chemistry has nothing to do with winning, does it? It's all talent. That's why the Trailblazers won all those championships in the late 90's. None of us knows what's going on with Bonzi, and his past is not a good indication of a winning attitude. I hope it all works out, though,
You're assuming Bonzi would disrupt chemsitry. I've seen no indication of that so far. All I've seen is JVG refusing to play him. Ever wonder that Bonzi's attitude this year, might be due to JVG holding some personal grudge against him? The people with the jvg colored glasses can't see that though.
What an arrogant post SWT....wow ! There are a lot of people here who know a lot about basketball, and I would consider you to be one of them. DD
If you had bothered to read my previous posts in this thread, you would see that I clearly stated that I am not a huge JVG fan. The jury is still out on him as far as I am concerned. You have seen no indication of him disrupting chemistry? No indications have been given whatsoever. From the very brief stories that have come out, which are not specific at all, it appears he has an attitude problem, and there is no doubting that he has had one in the past. Like I said, we don't know what exactly is going on, but you don't hear the players screaming for him to play (yet) I want Bonzi to play, he is talented and we could use him off the bench, but not if it hurts chemistry too much. Look what TO did to Philly (I realize that is extreme). Bottom line is we don't know.
No, I meant we don't know why he isn't playing. You don't know that he doesn't have an attitude problem and that he isn't f*cking up chemistry and I don't know that he isn't playing just b/c JVG doesn't like him. No one is really sure. JVG is not the best coach in the league by any means, but I find it ironic that you use terms like "seeing through your JVG colored glasses" when someone semi-defends him while at the same time your hatred of him blinds you to the fact that it could be Bonzi's fault, not his. We don't know
Guy, what planet are you from? Did you know Bonzi was called a "cancer" was a charter member of the "Jailblazers"? Did you know he was kicked off the playoff roster of the Grizzlies a couple of years ago for being a nutcase? Yes, I said he was kicked off the PLAYOFF ROSTER. You have seen no indication of anything about Bonzi except the fact he reported to camp looking like Santa Claus. And you have the nerve to say people have "jvg colored glasses" on? From your statements it seems Bonzi has you bought and paid for. I must be missing something. Because we don't know the facts we must automatically assume Bonzi's problems are JVG's fault? If so, you hate JVG to the extent of being completely unreasonable. Try this quaint idea: Bonzi's problem are Bonzi's fault, just like always.
eh I wouldn't bother too much. This is either a joke or JVG did something that made it personal. This guy is literally bashing people for giving valid arguments and everything that we don't know about is assumed to be 100% JVG's fault. Forget team chemistry, which Bonzi has had a problem with pretty much every team and forget the fact that he is overweight and refuses to acknowledge the fact that being in shape helps, hence his "marathon" comment. I, personally, would assume that any "no comments" by JVG and the Rockets are resulted from them trying to avoid causing drama to the team that is clicking and working together. Each player had their chances, and that included Novak in a matchup game against the Suns. Bonzi was noted with a strained hamstring the other day, and I tend to believe that it could happen with the weight gain. Do you really want Bonzi/Novak/Yao on the court at the same time? You'll be playing 2 on 5 defense against ANY running team. Bonzi looked horrible in the games that he played and am protected, if anything by the team. You just simply don't throw in guys and let them get back in shape during the NBA season. That's just stupid in any means to sacrifice games that count just so people could get in shape or learn to play. You do that with your own time and during practice, not during the NBA season games. Get over it! This team is winning and has one of the top defense out there. They're scoring when needed for the most part and the team is starting to come together. The chemistry is there for the most part, except for a few players that looks lost, and that'll come with maturity. Believe it or not, players gains confidence by the drill and kill method. You do enough of it in practice, you'll have no choice but to pick it up when you're needed upon. As for right now, Bonzi is not needed, Kirk Snyder or not. At least not in the shape that he's in.
I'm glad you can't start threads. Who knows what stuff you would come up with? SamFish is right, you post some garbage. You are absolutely right that it is JVG's fault for not playing Bonzi and you are not giving him the credit for being 11-5. Maybe not playing Bonzi has something to do with the winning record. I'm fine with you placing all blame on JVG, but blame him for being 11-5 right now too. Have you ever thought about this: We're 11-5 right now because our worst players have played limited minutes. That's right, Bonzi and Novak are our worst players. That's not to say that they will always be our worst, in fact, they may be our best subs at the end of the year, but until then, I don't want to see them on the court unless it helps us win.
And the thread has officially been derailed... And totally unrelated, but I can't start a thread: anyone check out Rockets.com lately? With the Power Dancers in schoolgirl outfits promoting their Guys' Night Out deal? They don't look attractive at all, save for maybe the 2nd girl from the left. Back on track...I hear what everyone is saying about Novak being lost on the offense. Unfortunately I missed the past 2-3 games, so I can't speak for that. But JVG has played guys like Bowen, who isn't exactly the offensive juggernaut himself, but keeps him on the court for his defense and hustle. I think Novak could still get playing time if he kept that part of the deal up.
Not to sound like I think Bowen has any redeeming offensive skills, but I think that at least he did not disrupt the offensive sets by being in the wrong place or not knowing where to set picks, etc., so not as much an offensive problem (for the team concept) as Novak may currently be. Clearly, Novak is the more capable shooter/scorer of the two, but right now he disrupts the offense by not knowing his role well enough more than his shooting compensates for, and then there is the whole defensive end of the discussion on top of that. I like Novak, but he isn't ready yet, and I think JVG is doing the right thing by not putting him on the court too much - that would just be setting him and the team up for failure.
The consensus of the board is that Novak isn't ready to play - he is lost on offense, can't play defense, and can't rebound. While I have been disappointed in his first 46 minutes I will take the opposite position - assuming he can get some playing time by earning it in practice or by injury (ala VSpan and Snyder), Novak doesn't suck, can play defense and rebound, and will contribute this year. It will be fun to pull this up later.
