The Van Gundy Factor

great post. good read. but i don't get these people that are in awe of how long it is. our educational system must be in ruin!

 

Awe shucks! None at all? But "skip to my Lou" creates fear in the opponent and makes you look real cool!

 

macbeth - great read, but....

really not sure why JVG has to implement some sort of special funneling defense to help Steve out, why not just bust his balls till he plays defense, most of us have seen the odd occasion where he does bends his knees and shuffles, hustles and doesn't let a player blow by him on the first dribble, deep down the guy has the physical abilities to play defense, JVG will make him play defense.

 

dude, with all the time you have, you should pack up and go to LA

 

hint: because Kobe is there

 

MacBeth:- Great analysis! Thank you for the great effort ! After reading your posts there was something that kept aggravating me and now I realise what it is! I need to ask you this question-
The way you are thinking indicates to me that the Rockets are NOT going to make any off season moves are you realy expecting that to be the case.

 

Make no mistake about it. Gollum (doesn't Jeff Van Gundy look like Gollum from Lord of the Rings?) has been hired for one reason - to teach these kids some discipline and to make the playoffs this year (I guess that's two reasons, but at least they're interrelated).

Anyway, that being the case, Gollum understands that to play defense, you have to be physically tough. Yao may yet become tougher physically, but he's the shot blocker. Gollum knows we need a physical inside presence. One of three players must be moved . . . Taylor, Griffin or Cato. Taylor and Griffin are obvious candidates, but Cato? Wait, let me explain.

Cato is great b/c he can fill Yao's defensive role, and perhaps surpass Yao's defense (at least right now). However, Griffin can do that, albiet to a lesser extent. If we could trade in Cato for a PJ Brown or even a Malik Rose type, I would strongly consider it.

Games are won in the 4th quarter and we need a starting power forward that is capable of grabbing the tough rebound after we get the critical stop, and one that can consistently stick a midrange J. Neither Griffin nor Taylor fit the mold. If we trade Cato for one that does, sure, we give up some depth and sacrifice some quality on our 2nd team. That said, I think it's worth it.

Yao's minutes wouldn't go up, but Gollum's a strong enough coach and tactician to make it work. So many teams in this league lack one quality big man, much less two. So, like the other teams, we would use a PF to back up Yao, or get a Kevin Willis back. He wouldn't cost hardly anything, but you can be sure he could play 8 minutes a night. The other power forward can fill the remaining minutes while Yao rests.

 

I'll tell you something about JVG iso offense. Once the ball goes into Yao, you will not see Griffin standing 23ft from the basket. Once the ball goes into the post, Yao will be ft line like Malik Rose and David Robinson in the spurs offense. The misconception is that a team has to run to score points which is not true. The Modern day Lakers and the 94 rockets scored 100ppg by being effecient. If the rockets cut their to's to 12 or 13, that would equal 3 or 4 more shots which could equal 4-6 more points. If this team scores 95-96ppg they have the defensive capabilites to hold teams to 91-92ppg. Its not who i wanted at first, but its the best choice left i guess

 

Side note. Hawkins will benefit the most from Gollum being coach. In light of Moochie's pathetic play on both ends of the court, I felt Hawkins was underutilized.

Unless we make a move for a quality backup guard or starting point guard, Gollum will probably use Hawkins off the bench as a defensive spark and a stopper when the other team's scoring guard starts going nuts. There were too many games last year where Rudy failed to take advantage (one game where Milwaukee's guards were beating us up, that comes to mind)

 

Question:
With Nachbar's limited minutes last year, how do we know he doesn't have the ability to play D?
Is it because all Euros supposedly have no defensive skills?

I see this "fact" brought up constantly, but it occurs to me that we shouldnt assume he cant do the job until he has played enough to really be able to tell.
Hopefully he will get a chance to show what he's made of this year, I'm tired of supporting a guy that never gets to play.

btw, Jag...here's to hoping you are right. Good read.

 

Very true!

By the way, I wasn't sure about whether I wanted Brown, VG or Dunleavy.

All are very good coaches. But, not sure who was our best fit.

The one thing that worried me about Brown was his age, which could mean that he's out of touch with todays young players. Because in the end, it's all about communication and getting your point across to the team. And if there's a disconnect (generational), then there's a problem.

VG is 41, so he's not too old. So, I'm hopeful that he will be able to relate to the players. And it's safe to say that VG has a lot of experience and had excellent teacher (Riley). So, it's not like VG is a green coach.

 

Rocket2K, you bring up a good point. However, Rudy's been quoted as saying Nachbar's defense was lacking (or something like that). I'm not saying that's 'proof' by any means, but it is some small basis for questioning Nachbar's defense.

 

well, different Kobe I am talking about. the one first letter start with k or last letter end with a K. well, you might talking about diifernet assignments too

 

There is nothing to assume. The Rockets coaching staff has already publicly stated that his weakness is defense and it was this weakness that was a major reason (along with being slowed by an injury) why he did not get that much playing time.

 

Rileydog...I agree with you. We need a power forward who can rebound....AND even better...one who can make a middle range shot, who can dunk, who is a good post defender, and who is a good rebounder. HIS NAME IS ANTONIO DAVIS.

MacBeth, don't you believe Antonio Davis would be a perfect backup PF/C or starting PF for the Houston Rockets?

I had a post in the Alvin Williams trade thread....

But Antonio Davis would be great.

I think they would love to have Maurice Taylor and Kelvin Cato.

JVG likes smaller rotations....

Therefore, having Eddie, Yao, and Antonio as our frontcourt is not bad at all. They are all good defenders, rebounders, and shotblockers. Lovely.

Davis is also a veteran.

Mo Taylor and Kelvin Cato would be more than enough for Antonio Davis...maybe they can give us Voshon Lenard as well.

Mo Taylor and Kelvin Cato for Antonio Davis and Voshon Lenard

 

Let's see, Antonio Davis is 34 years old and turns 35 in october, makes the maximum salary (he took home 12 lsat year, 2 more than Vince), went for 13-8 last year, and was injured for about 30 games and his season ended in early april.... somehow I don't think that's a very good fit.

 

SLA I am surprised at you! I regard you as a very informed fan but I must ask you to consider these factsDavis is old[35yrs.] and on the down side of his career,he is now prone to injury and has a very big pay check Considering the criteria you suggested for our new Power Forward Elton Brand of the Clippers would fit the mold exactly. He is going into his 5th. season and is one year younger than Steve Francis.