Really? I think you have to hold everyone accountable, and a first round exit with a healthy Yao and Tmac would not exactly be showing signifcant progress from 2 years ago. Last year everyone got a pass due to injuries, but this year....the team should be better......and if it isn't better, the organization should look at EVERYONE as to why other team's are passing us by.... DD
The mavs and the Suns are playing an almost perfect basketball this season. We are nowhere close to that level in terms of consistency and mental toughness.
This is true, and if the season ends in the first round, then the organization needs to look at why the Mavs have exploded in the last 2 years while the Rockets have stagnated. Remember in '05 the Mavs were a 4 seed and the Rockets a 5 seed.....now the Rockets are still a 5 seed and the Mavs are off the charts..... Got to keep up with the Joneses.... DD
If I wanted to parse words with you, I could say that "the marketing folks" are connected to the Rockets. What possible difference does it make? Van Gundy was a huge supporter of the idea. The idea, wherever it came from (and I would bet this site had it's own influence), has made a huge difference in the crowds at TC. Do you disagree? And do you seriously think his involvement with forming the Red Rowdies would make a dime's worth of difference to me if we don't get past the 1st round? That's my benchmark. If we don't manage that, with the team healthy, it's time to look for a new coach. The man deserves credit for what he's done for the organization and the fans. Ultimately, it comes down to success on the court. Nitpicker. (where's Don Knotts??)
Didn't read the responses. Sorry if this repeats what anyone else has said. The only coach on that list that is better than Van Gundy, is Van Gundy.
If the Rockets don't perform well in the first round, I don't see how the Rockets will stay with him. Yao is near his peak, Tmac is going downhill rapidly with a fragile body. You pay the guy top $$, and expect some result. What have the Rockets got in return so far? A couple of years 1 and out in the playoff? The guy was hired to coach the team with great talent, so he didn't like the mix, wanted to re-make the team, and he got his wish with what he has now, plus M. Jackson, Spoon, Oakley, Childs, and even Erwing along the way. Now, don't blame anyone at the front office, or any players, he is the one assembled the team, and he has to take the blame if he cannot get them to play.
I don't think that we should get rid of JVG - I think he is limited somewhat by the talent on the floor - we are still recovering from a number of bad contracts and gutting the core of our team to get McGrady. However, if we did dump him, I think only Adelman from that list would be an upgrade. I suspect playing Yao in the high post would make our offense more difficult to guard. I don't believe that Yao's potential as a creator and mid-range shooter has been tapped yet. That would round out his skills and allow him to dominate both inside and from the free throw line area. If Yao is going to be doubled or heavily guarded, doesn't it make sense to give a guy who can see that much of the floor from his height more area to pass to? In this era of anti-big man rules (heavy contact in the post and double teams), I think you have to mix it up to keep teams guessing. As tempting as all that sounds, I still place blame for the current weaknesses of the Rockets on our players, not our coach. I don't believe the Rockets would be nearly as dominant defensively under Adelman either.
If we don't get past 1st round, it is time to relieve JVG from his duty. Afterall, if you can't lead a team with YaoMac to 2nd round, you must have not done a good job with the rest.
Haha if we get Stan Van Gundy and he goes to the 2nd round or west conference finals next year with us, I could seriously see JVG crying.
The list doesn't have lots of big names, but I am sure everyone would have said the same thing about Avery Johnson if he was on the list 2 years ago and he is doig a great job now.
Yeah... with the team he has, obviously he'd be doing a good job. It's completely different. Plus Avery was an assistant for Popovich, and none of those guys on the list are any good.
P. Jackson is having a bad time in LA. The LA players are either selfish or just no desire to improve. I think it's time to call him. Yao and Tmac would be his next star duo.
This pains me to say but JVG must be given the chance to see what he can do in the playoffs. He is a coach that can make the necessary moves during the playoffs but if the Rockets are elimanted in the first round then he has got to go.
I like Iavaroni. Iavaroni could bring a winning culture and new offensive and defensive innovations with him. I just like the way Phoenix defenses Yao with undermanned people and less height. They have now set the standard for smaller teams to be the rockets (a la Golden State). He also worked under Pat Riley and know about defense as well. Jeff Van Gundy appears to be too stubborn to change and does not have the innate ability to look at changes in the league for the future. Every year and in the offseason, he puts in his own system and goes at it. Therefore, against certain teams we play really well and against other teams we play extrmely poor. He definetley does not know how to play his non-star players, develop them or keep them happy. I will always root for the rockets too win, but I hope we make a coaching change that will get us to the next level.
What I loved about Rudy is that he would take whatever the direction the league was heading and find a spot to exploit it. With JVG, I feel that he just has not adapted to the way the NBA calls the games these days specifically on the perimeter. Far too much settling for 3 pt shots......when the drive is open too....especially when the other team is in the penalty and we should be taking advantage of that. Now to be fair, I don't know if it is on coach or just that our players are soft....probably a little bit of both. DD
If you are listening to the radio and reading chron.com in Houston, you will know the lots of people dislike JVG as a coach. The fact that matters is he will get a new contract according to the same radio. Just look at the David Carr case.
