"We lost because our starters got complacent, and then TIRED, and when the Spurs put in their RESTED starters ours had nothing left in the tank. " JVG I would have to say that I was right on this one!
playing bench players more early in the season is really win win situation. on one hand you give them real game experience and mature their game. otoh, you keep your starters fresh and on top of their games all the time. what if you lost a few more games? who cares. it's early in the regular season! 70 regular season win means nothing if you can't win in the playoffs! besides, it's not like you put all 5 bench warmers out there at the same time. if used properly, they should be beneficial to the team even now. like killbill's hustle and international game experience, supernova's 3's... so jvg's strategy makes sure they win a few more games now, but is really hurting the team in long run. what happens when your starters run out of gas, or god forbid, get injured? then you left with no depth and no chances.
when we're up 20, putting our 3rd unit does not actually mean we're coasting or anything.. it means we try to get a boost from them and give the starters & second unit their rest.. its doesn't mean we have to leave the 3rd unit for a long time.. two to four minutes of high-energy/intensity from our 3rd unit would have at least bought our starters and 2nd unit some time to rest and regroup..
Thank you that is exactly what I am saying......if something is not working, try something else....ala Popovich. DD
Yes! But you are expecting too much from JVG . Les should intervene so that JVG uses the full potential of the team. How will V.Span and Novak ever gain playing experience without playing in the NBA Game? We go V Span because he was quick and made great pases, we got Novak because he can shoot the three pointer. Both are good at what they do best.
yeah jvg keeps saying our third unit is high risk. but I think tired and complacent and passive starters and 2nd unit are not any better than fully rested and hungry third unit udrih and horry led that comeback.. i'm pretty sure vspan would have defended undrih better with his physicality and vspan can definetely take beno to the hole.. while novak could have done a decent job on horry since horry is not any quicker than novak and novak could have gotten shots up against horry howbout the red rowdies somehow chant something when rox are up by 15-20 or the starters/2nd unit looks tired and complacent.. i know jvg has pride and won't listen to them when they say put novk in or put vspan in.. maybe they should chant "Rest Our Rockets" clap clap clapclapclap
You are absolutely right. Do VSpan and Novk have more than -20 +/- for 10 minutes? If not, put one or two in, our lead might be cut down to 15, but starter can player better when rested. If JVG is willing to try out, he wouldn't be called stubborn, and we want him to out
I'm in agreement with DD and other posters about putting in players like V-Span and Novak for all of the reasons cited, resting first and second unit, getting experience and looking for a spark off of the bench. Its still early in the season though so wear, tear and fatigue aren't as obvious yet. The real test will be in March where in the past few year's we've seen Yao and some of the other starters hit a wall. IMO it would make sense to ration Yao and the other starters' minutes now so maybe cutting back their minutes after a game like Miami when they are up or down by 20 in the following game so they can stay fresher and more consistent.
There was a lot of times when the need of playing Billy was necessary and I couldn't believe Jeff didn't think about that. Span's agressive defense could have broken that 19-2 run somewhere.
Right but at some point, you just have to start using your bench. After all, why did they go out and sign these guys if they won't give them the opportunity to play and develop? And if he (JVG) has no confidence in these players, then why are they here collecting paychecks? This was SUPPOSED to be the deepest and most versatile Rockets team in years but so far, it looks like the same old Rockets to me. Guys like Spanoullis, Snyder & Novack were supposed to make a difference this season but for that to happen they have to get on the court.
JVG has been quoted in the past that he did not believe fatigue should be a problem for professional athletes.
This is my biggest problem with him. Fatigue is certainly a problem......and it causes a lot more problems later on in the year. Rudy recognized it, and allowed young players like Cassell and Horry to play their rookie years.....and if they performed they stayed in the rotation. Heck Rudy even held Hakeem out for the last 2 weeks due to ....ehem...Anemia one year to get him rested for the playoffs. DD
