Jimmy and Charlie have the mentality, and Ward's a "Floor Captain" at PG anyway. But I wouldn't want to cheer for a Bible-thumping, anti-semetic, quoting-scriptures-in-every-media-interview basketball team; which the rub-off effect could yield. So I'd like JJ. He's the perfect captain. Not that they'll even have one.
Hopefully JVG won't allow for that to happen Van Gundy is all for good citizenship; he just wishes his team would display more of the burning, single-minded devotion that possesses him. He's complained that the two worst things to happen to the modern NBA are God and golf. "And I don't mean that in a derogatory way to God," Van Gundy says. "But I'll tell you what I do have a problem with -- we have it in our situation here. We let a preacher into our locker room. Spends as much time as he wants with our players before games. Now, do people in offices have preachers coming into their place of business, interrupting their work? No. They have to do it before or after work. They don't get to do it during work. That's the problem I have. As a team and an organization, you've got to try to minimize those distractions. It used to be alcohol and women more. I think we've given this guy, this pastor, too much freedom. And I think the interaction between people before games, opposing sides, the fraternization, is wrong for the league, it's wrong for competition. Everybody's hugging before games, praying together.
Badass referencing job, outlaw. I like the way Van Gundy decided to handle that situation in New York. Charlie Ward's comments when he was signed about how "The Creator" had it in "His masterplan" to sign him scared me a bit. I already knew he was pretty Christian, and I was seriously worrying about how that would effect the locker room. Yao's not Christian, Boki's not, Mo worships buddha (I had to)...that can create some barriers, which would in turn be anti-chemistry. But JVG already knows how to handle that situation and will catch it before it even turns into one. Thanks for the article.
I think (hope) JVG makes Yao step up and take that kind of leadership position. He's got "tenure" on the team and he's our foundation. And besides that, I think he's ready for it. If you want to be the part, act it. Behaviorism? JJ would be the obvious choice. He's old. T-Mac, I'd think would want this kind of responsibility very badly. He's out to prove his rep as one of the best. Does anyone know who were the Laker captains during the Shaq/Kobe years? This group is so new together, it's really up for grabs.
I've thought about this particular for a long time now. Obviously JJ should certianly be named as a Co capitian, but with whom?. I think it's time the Rockets actually tell yao, look you've been here for 3 Seasons now and we Obviously feel it's the right time to take our realatioship a step farther. we want you along with tracy to lead us into our next chapter of History. how can yao refuse that offer?
Let's face it - the most important job of the team captain is to choreograph the introduction ritual dance. I'm not sure JJ is that guy. Reggie Miller - now that was a team captain.