One big difference I've noticed -- McGrady's defense seems much worse with the coaching change. Even in the 3rd quarter against the Bulls, when he was rolling offensively after Yao left the game, his defense was pitiful. Throughout the game, he was giving up wide open perimeter jumpers to Heinrich and Gordon. And his help defense has been virtually nonexistent this year.
^It seems like McGrady needs someone to motivate him. Adelman does not appear to be that kind of coach.
What specifically did Van Gundy do to motivate Mcgrady? Based on what I see at the games, Van Gundy always seemed pretty laid back when it came to Mcgrady. I would often see him chewing out Yao or Luther on the sidelines, but rarely did I see him do that with Mcgrady (or Battier).
He was constantly yelling from the sidelines during defensive possessions to keep them alert and active. If you watch the Celtics now, you see Thibodeaux doing the same thing. And even if JVG didn't get on McGrady as much as the others, the constant preaching of defense would have shamed T-Mac into giving more effort than he has this year.
JVG knew how to massage TMac's ego. JVG was pretty good with the mind games and how to push each player's button. He knew TMac had to be handled with kid gloves at times and when JVG subtly calls him out through the media JVG lumps TMac with the rest of the players as to not single him out. Behind closed doors, I'm sure he knew how to keep Tmac's respect for him when talking to each other.
JVG also constantly says things like "When McGrady defends, we defend." All but stupidest among us would know that also menas "When McGrady fails to defend, we fail to defend." JVG may not have, and may not need to scream at TMac for D, but he does send the message, and, it appears, TMac got the message.
One wonders if Thibodeaux is the real reason behind the Rockets great play last year and the Celtics incredible defense this year.
Adelman should have reached out to Tom during the offseason and asked him to come back as part of his staff.
adelman didnt want thibodeau for some reason...he wanted clifford to stay but not thibodeau. clifford turned adelman down and went to orlando. another guy from jvg's staff went to boston with thibodeau
I wonder if Adelman was worried about the Don Nelson in New York scenario happening. Nelson kept a young smart assistant coach from Riley's squad who was well liked by the franchise center-- and later Ewing turned on Nelson and he got replaced by Jeff Van Gundy. I wonder if Tommy T is too much of a threat to Adelman's job security. Or perhaps it's just that Tommy T wanted a lead assistant job but Rick was committed to Elston Turner as his right hand guy.
I'm really glad that Thibodeau is in Boston and still has an opportunity to coach and .....preach excellent defense. I think we've definitely lost some defensive intensity and probably don't come into games as well-prepared. However, I'm hoping that we've reached a turning point and will start winning and playing well now. Some guys are still hustling, the players are still supportive of each other. On defense, McGrady was giving Hinrich and whoever else he guarded A LOT of space.
I thinks it's understandable why Adelman would hire assistants who know or want to coach the game to how he wants it to be played. Clifford wouldn't have conflicted with the changes Adelman brought: http://www.farmington.edu/alumni/Winter07.pdf
