[Urban Myth] Jeff Van Gundy Doesn't Know How to Coach Offense

What killed me about the early JVG bashing was the argument that a weak record in his first 15 games showed his inability to adjust. It's like nobody had ever read the dictionary definition of adjust. Adjusting is what you do after a disappointing start.

 

Thanks ima_drummer2k for this great piece.

The problem with the myths surrounding JVG, especially this season, is centered on lack of patience and failure to understand the basic principles on evolution.

I see so many more myths being busted as the season goes along and I hope it shuts the trap of the many that hated for thw wrong and senseless reasons.

5-star thread.

 

No kidding- if there's anything this team does well, it's adjust.

What other team in the league is capable of winning 73-67 (San Antonio) and 124-114 in a 3 day span?

Take the past week for example. The week before, this team was forced into overtime and lost in a winnable game to Sacramento because they failed to execute down the stretch. This week, down 2 with the ball, the team executes the game tying play perfectly to free TMac for the tie in regulation, and then wins it in overtime.

Lately, we've been offensive rebounding a lot better. Yao's playing a lot stronger, and TMac has been going nuts. Didn't he predict before the season he'd be scoring 25-26 a game? He's closing in on 26 a game pretty fast.

 

One of the best signs of a team, and their coach's ability, is how teams close out games.

Since those two collapses earlier this year against Atlanta and NY (which was made up of our "former" team), the Rockets have been amazing at closing people out in the 4th quarter... whether it be turning a close game into a blowout (at Denver), or hanging tough in the close ones (at Boston, and at Minnesota).

One thing that this team still has to accomplish, however, is playing really well at home. So far, I haven't seen much difference in how they execute at home, rather than on the road (which could just mean that they are a really good road team as well). There's still time... and I do believe they'll figure this one out as well.

 

Yeah sometimes I still hear people complaining that JVG can't coach offense and that he's limitng tmac..and that he doesn't let our team fast break........but i dont' say anything don't want to argue

 

Thank You!

 

Yes he is adjusting. It didnt take a genius to know that we needed to speed up our offense. We are playing great right now so he is more tolerable. I like him but just not as our coach. At least now we know he will finish out the season here if not longer. PHIL IN 05-06!!!!!

 

I Heart JVG

 

Um....I don't know.

JVG tried the same Shiite with T-Mac that he did with Steve; and T-Mac had to force JVG's hand ("look, why'd you get me if you just want me to stand out there with my thumb up my trasero, waiting for Yao to arrive down the floor?") in order for the coach to relent.

Turns out letting T-Mac loose was great, as even Yao has played well. Taking some of the pressure off Yao has been great for the big fella.

If you give away all your quality depth to acquire a player, that player is gonna be awesome, so why shackle him? I don't know how much credit Van Gundy deserves, but at least my hatred has abated now that they're winning.

I will give JVG points for the guard acquisitions, even if David Wesley is gonna be trade bait next summer with that expiring contract. Wesley and Barry have been, for the most part, excellent additions. Too bad they're my age, for goodness' sakes.

 

I think people who complained were claiming that JVG didn't adjust to personnel, that he was coaching the Knicks while dealing with a different-style center and a far better guard than he's ever dealt with.

I was not a JVG fan, either, but if the team plays as it has been, I can't complain. I don't think Rudy should come back, I don't think we should go after Phil Jackson, and I don't think we should go after Larry Brown if he becomes available anymore. I think this turnaround is a good indicator that JVG deserves a fair shake at handling a new team and bringing a second year's worth of players.

But if the old Knick acquisitions continue, I'll definitely be calling for his head.

 

Uh, we just scored 119 points against Minnesota.

Care to guess how many fastbreak points we had?

ROXTX- It took JVG all of a month to make those changes, and part of it was a mentality that TMac has said both he and Yao had- TMac had never played with a big man, Yao had never played with a TMac talent.

 

T-Mac isn't doing anything crazy, like going freestyle, or forcing up shots on double-teams... frankly, he's getting all his points in the flow of the offense (which is amazing to watch).

Early in the season, T-mac would pass up opportunities in favor of going to Yao, Howard, or simply trying to get wide-open shots for the team on every possesion (which they did... it was just that Ward, Lue, and JJ were so damn inconsistent at hitting them).

Now, T-Mac is just not passing up opporunitites... none of them. JVG didn't "open" up the offense to him... he just gave T-Mac all the blessings to go ahead and take the shots he wants to take... and to not worry about getting others involved if your shot is there. (and JVG had already gone on record saying that he never "held T-Mac back"... it was merely a case of the player trying to appease to the new team and coach... JVG would have welcomed this new menatlity from T-Mac from day 1).

 

So do you attribute that to JVG's coaching?

 

One of the players (Padgett maybe?) said that the offense really hasn't even changed, and that JVG had been stressing the fast break since the very beginning. It was just the execution that is different (and now the personnel as well). Van Gundy will always stress defense, and now the players are getting that just because you play good defense, that doesn't mean you can't score too.

 

T-Mac and Sura are the offensive coaches, not Mr. Van gundy. Van Gundy turned Tracy loose in the Rocket loss to Dallas when Tracy scored 48. Van Gundy gets no credit for Tracy's adjustment or more aggressive game.

I am truly delighted we are winning and I am a Rocket fan 1st. My issueswith Van gundy include:

1) Not playing Andre Barrett ever

2) Not playing to our players strengths ever. T-Mac and Sura have created this offense and any fast breaks we have

3) The negative remarks to the media

4) Not maintaining defensive urgency-who is driving the bus?????

5) Talylor being benched- I know he is hated here with a passion, but that is like cutting off your nose to spite your face- we are paying the man- at least give him garbage minutes to save Howard's body for the potential playoffs. I am not a big TAlor fan, but money is being expended-use him to foul and bang if nothins else to give Yao a break- Taylor does get 6 fouls per game.

6) My biggest problem is Van Gundy's moves to acquire all these 2 guards- we need a power forward---Wesley has not done anything offensively-play Barrett to give him minutes. I cannot endorse Van Gundy as de facto GM. I am tolerating his as coach-I like winning..

I will not sing this man's praises - I do not hate him , but I do not love him....

Go Rockets keep it going and win!!!!

 

A+

Thanks for that angle.

 

I'm not sure that coaching has much to do with what's going on. Just as I really didn't think JVG was much to blame.

The biggest difference between the Rockets of early this season and now...is how well the role players complement McGrady and Yao.

Their task is to knock down open shots (except for Sura and Strickland, who are supposed to penetrate and force the defense to react). We got rid of guys who didn't do it, and acquired guys who do. So long as Wesley, Sura, Howard, Barry, and others knock down wide open shots, take care of the ball, and play something resembling defense, we're going to win games.

JVG, to me, is a B+ coach. He gets an A for his defensive acumen, and a B- for his ability to "improve" a team's natural offensive function. There's nothing wrong with that. But it's silly to blame him too much for the losses or give him too many accolades when we win.

 

Thank you Haven --I agree

 

The most impatient person on the team was JVG, himself. He said it by himself, I remember. Something like players are patient by nature and coaches are impatient by nature. Sounds cute, but I disagree. I don't think there are many posters here hating the coach but they don't love him blindly.

Even with the team winning, do you think this rockets team reaches their best?