Vote VAN ROWDIES!! Battle of the Vans: Scooby Doo & the Mystery Van vs. I live in a van (down by the river) Van Helsing vs. Van Wilder Vincent Van Gogh vs. Sir Anthony Van Dyck Van Halen vs. Van Morrison Van Rowdies vs. ???? I like VAN ROWDIES! Vote Now!
Van Gundy hatred knows no limits. You do know that JVG is buying these tickets with his own money, right.
If you're going to build a rowdy section, the name needs to pertain to Houston or the Rockets... needs to be timeless. By putting anyone's name in it, you're saying the group really only works while they're here ... you never know -- if the Rockets struggle big time this year, I imagine that JVG is on the chopping block (especially considering the Battier move). By calling it the "Van Rowdies", it could be the same as calling it "Pippen Power", "Calvin's Cookies" or "Rudy's Kids".
But if he gets fired, there goes the 30 season tickets HE bought for the fans that year. I think this is more of him than the Rockets doing.
"He" as in the guy who reportedly said he would prefer to play games in an empty arena? Until a copy of the check (or payroll deduction) is made public, no way is this anything more than a Rockets/NBA promotion that they stuck Mister Van Gundy's name on.
Innocent till proven guilty. I would think the Rockets would take credit before promoting a coach who may be on his way out. I sincerely believe it's JVGs cash.
Why is it so hard to believe JVG is being a nice guy? You may not agree w/ his coaching philosophies or interview skills , but he's never shown me anything that makes me believe otherwise. He's publically stated he wants the atmosphere to be louder and more exciting, and he's tired of seeing empty seats, so now he's doing something about it. I also sincerely believe jvg's buying these tickets.
He has also repeatedly stated that he wants nothing to do with marketing and that he would prefer to play in an empty arena. Le$ doesn't want to admit his mistake, so he covers it with a bit of pixie dust that the organization had ALREADY STARTED LAST SEASON. Professional sports organizations lie to fans all the time. The Roger Clemens deal was not a "last minute" thing, Charlie Casserly did not just wake up and say "I want that job with the league - by gum", and the Rockets fired "The Heart a Champion." There is no reason to assume Mister Van Gundy has anything to do with this.
The organization offered discounted tickets. JVG is offering season tickets, for free. I know you don't like the guy, but don't lay out baseless claims that JVG's not putting any money into this. He directly commented on the section last year, and Clutch's source mentioned he talked to "Le$" about it. It's his thing.
