Basically said that we either have to change the players and get better chemistry or the current players have to improve drastically this offseason. I would assume that means that anyone that doesn't stick around Houston this offseason and really work on their game will not be thought of too highly, save one 7 6 chinese fella.
Either drastic change or drastic improvement? How about some change and some improvement, wouldn't that be the same? Personally, I want to keep Francis (change his role slightly) unless we get someone like T-Mac. We still need a PG who will play around 25 minutes a night, we need a big Small Forward, we need to play JJ and Steve at the 2 mostly. One thing's for sure: there is no way Francis and Mobley will play almost 40 minutes each in the backcourt next season. I think Steve should play 20 at PG and 20 at SG (on average), and Mobley should be shipped out. We need to bring in a PG to play the rest of the minutes (Tyronne Lue) while JJ and Pike pick up the rest of the SG minutes. We need a safe PG and a damn good Forward. Get it done CD.
Sane - Some change and some improvement won't get it done. Utah has a Lottery pick and our 1st rounder, a boatload of cap space, can SnT Ostertag to the EC since they have his Bird Rights and Harpring won't be on the IL all season 2004-05. Portland will move SAR and they'll get quality to augment Zach and Miles (both are on rookie contracts and Miles played well at the end of last season. Jerry West was very pissed at the celebrating by his players the day after SA booted them out of the playoffs. They were all happy just to have been there. West and Hubie want to win it all. They have a deep roster and won't be afraid to pull the trigger. DEN made the playoffs and has $20m in cap space. Cuban is looking to deal Antoine Walker and could even SnT Nash. PHX is interested in McGrady, has a good nucleus and a Lottery pick and $10+m in cap space. Van Gundy's right..."some change" just isn't going to cut it.
The answer is before everyone's eyes. If Mo Taylor improves his defense drastically this off season, why do we need to find another PF? He has the size, range, bulk, shot, chemistry....everything but a rebounding average that needs to improve by 4 rebounds per game. Mo has proved that he is willing to work on his game in he off season. If we works hard with JVG and coaching crew, all this moaning is for naught. Cato can go back to doing what he does best -- providing quality relief for Yao Ming. Incidentally, the same is going to be true for Bostjan Nachbar. If he works on getting his outside shot off in traffic, he can be the stud we need at SF. He has already shown a talent for driving and dishing, for rebounding and even for team defense. With confidence in his 3-pointer, look out. If Steve and Cat improve in their areas of weakness, we have a team. Nevertheless, whoever doesn't improve under JVG's tutelage, then let him be replaced.
With the players who make the effort and show JVG-approved results .... yes. With the players who either don't make the effort or show JVG-approved results .... no.
thumbs, i have to side with gater here. we have to make drastic changes in order to compete. we have not done nearly as good a job of managing the cap as other teams. our "upside" just doesn't look so bright from where i stand.
Good points, but don't forget -- Seattle is talented and if they find a way to swap out pieces to fit better they could be in the play-off hunt, as well. New Orleans is heading West, and they have talent. They imploded but Mash could be turned into an asset, Floyd was 'pink' slipped ... oh yeah, next to Clips they may be worst owned team in NBA. GS with JRich, Murph, Dunleavy?, a healthy NVE, a lotto pick, SnT to salvage either or both of Dampier and Foyle and they have the makings of a competitive squad. I only expect a non-play-off run from the Clippers.
I don’t know what Van Gundy’s definition of “drastic” improvement is, but I think it is rare to see any player make drastic improvement over the age of 25 and other then Yao and Boki, everyone else on this team is over 25.
...and so continues the Knick-ification of the Rockets. Mmm-boy, can't wait for those exciting 42-37 slugfests coming up.
Actually, I believe my views do not conflict with the thoughts laid down by Gater. If there is not drastic improvement by particular players, then ... goodbye. However, let's look at the case of Mo Taylor in particular. Aside from toking a little weed (and getting caught), he is not a chemistry problem....in fact, far from it. He did not work with JVG last summer -- no one did -- because JVG was locked away in a video room somewhere. If Taylor can improve his offensive and defensive rebounding by just FOUR rebounds per game -- and remember there were several games where he was a board monster -- then he is All-Star caliber. Defense is his key because no one doubts his offensive game. He is not brittle like Camby or injured beyond repair as McDyess at this point appears to be or expensive beyond reach as in the case of other quality PF choices. Some upgrades are necessary. But, if the whole team is blown apart, then we start at square one....again.
Van Gundy made a very up front statement- Who thinks this group will do any better next year? Do we want to be a contender or a pretender? Van Gundy knows we must- cut way down on stupid turnovers, execute offensively, shoot a respectable % and improve rebounding. We must become tougher at the 4 on both ends and defend the point better. Now either these players will change dramatically over the off season and prove it to him or he is going to be demanding some changes. I don't know where Les Alexander's and CD's heads are at -but Van Gundy has called it right.
Minnesota changed out 9 of 12 play-off roster personnel from last year to this. KG, a constant, is playing after the first round for the first time and is still around for the conference finals. If Houston could change out 9 of the 12 with obvious upgrades like Wolves did (at the 1, 2, and bench) is that square one ... or a ticket to a rosier tomorrow? Clearly it is who is coming and who is going. For example, I felt Mo had his best year and was a legit candidate for 6th man. However, he has a contract disproportionate from performance. So, does he stay or can he be moved successfully (low chance, IMO)?
plenty of players improve over the age 25, stats don't tell the whole story a player prime most of the time from his late 20s' to his mid 30s'
There is no doubts for MoT offensive game? Tell you what, if MoT's shots don't drop, he is useless in the offense end because once ball is in his hand, he hardly pass. And he has no defense, a weak rebounder. He can add 4 rebs per game? Man, if Yao could improve his rebouding by just 4 rebounds per game, he could be the league's leading rebounder. Is that so easy?
Thank God JVG is thinking about changes to this team. They really need to step up w/ the quality of play from the whole Midwest Division. Man, is it me, or on this list: Minnesota L.A. Lakers San Antonio Sacramento Dallas Memphis Denver Utah Portland Houston Golden State Seattle Phoenix L.A. Clippers Don't we seem like we will fit in right b/t Portland and Golden State? It seems like every team in the Western Conference is getting stronger and stronger.
