We may only be a couple games into the season, but for most the truth is pretty obvious, Van Gundy has come in and destroyed what used to be a beautiful team. First he Knickified the Rockets, then he screwed, yes he screwed us in the playoffs when we finally made it, then he traded away the heart and soul of this team, and now he's putting us in a hard spot. Now I'm no big city lawyer or nothin', but all these things put together spell out a pretty bad coach. If you're pissed off at the way Rockets basketball is no longer entertaining, if you're pissed of that we are losing to teams we shouldn't be, if you think even if this team "gels" that it doesn't even mean we will necessarily successfull, then you should join. I personally elect that we fire Van Gundy and hire a NASA chimp to do his job, think about the marketing possiblilties. Endless right? Plus I know the chimp could help us play better offense, at least more entertaining offense. IF YOU ARE FED UP, DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT, JOIN THE I HATE VAN GUNDY CLUB TODAY!!!
I'm in. Can we burn him in effigy outside the Toyota Center? How do you get a permit from the park police for that? Maybe just a "street theater" piece, where a man in Gundy costume is murdered by angry fans. I'd hate to be that guy in the costume, though.
So you think this team was beautiful during the Steve Francis years under Rudy when we never made the playoffs? You oppose the trade for McGrady because Francis is the "heart and soul" of the team? I don't agree.
I agree the last few games are butt-ugly to watch. But watching Francis high-turnover, couldn't-finish-a-fastbreak, can't-throw-the-ball-inside was much more hopeless. This team is going to set for very long time for Yao and TMac. We just need to replace the other garbage players with good role players. And I don't think JVG is the problem. The lack of production from the role player is the real problem.
JVG may be a good coach with a good system but is his system better than the talent of Yao + TMac??? He should not force Yao and Tmac to follow his system but develope a system to fit them. VG should be fired.
Lets not throw the baby out with the bathwater here. Just about ever game this season so far has been very close down the stretch. Its difficult watching the leads we've had evaporate in the third and fourth and come out on the losing end. But we just haven't executed down the stretch and closed games out. I think thats just a classic example of a team trying improve its chemistry. Its going to be difficult at times watching the team. But I am very excited by what I've seen from Tmac. The guy is pretty hesitant out there at times and still is putting up consistent numbers close to twenty a game. But when Ming sits and he's out there I wish they'd just give him the ball everytime. I cringe often when Juwan Howard posts up or Charlie Ward jacks up a prayer when Tmac when you know Tmac could had got a better shot. I don't know what we're going to do about rebounding. I think a move will have to be made to solve that issue. But when Bob Sura returns I think the point guard play will improve. But I just don't get Charlie Ward. We're going to pay this guy for two years with a thrid year option to ride the pine as a third stringer. Lets face it the guy is terrible. I think Van Gundy has too many guys who want to play offense and not enough defense, IMO. Taylor and Howard don't bring much as far as defense is concerned which obviously hurts us on the boards. I'd like to see Taylor come off the bench to provide some offense with the second unit cause they've been pretty bad keeping the team in the game while Yao and Mcgrady sit. I think a few small changes are needed but more than anything they just need to get used to playing with each other.
Bingo. Though I won't say that JVG is totally cleared of blame. He has tremendous influence on our personnel, and bringing in Ward instead of Jones, James or some of the other guys out there hurt. The biggest thing on the plate, as far as I see it, is dumping Maurice Taylor and Weatherspoon so we can afford to bring in productive guys. Those two are #2 and #3 paid on the squad, making a combined $14 million plus. That money is getting us 13 ppg, under 8 rpg, and zero defense. Unfortunately, you can't get rid of guys like this. I'm certain Mo is starting because the team wants to showcase him for a possible trade, but it doesn't help when he can't score more than 9 points against Atlanta and New York combined. Evan
I am in!! FIRE VAN GUNDY we need rudy back! bring in some offense!! The offense is bog down. We need a coach to use the talents that he has and not try to mold into something else. I hate the fact that we are the new york knicks of the south! i am an unhappy fan
I was not a JVG fan when they hired him because of the reasons we are now witnessing. Munco's list states that. But I said last year when they signed him that I'd give him 1 1/2 years to give him the benefit of the doubt. 32 more games before I give my final judgement. However, my judgement doesn't count - CD and Les's do and I think they will be more patient.
I'm not yet at the "I hate JVG" level, but getting there. I still think at the time he was the right hire. Larry Brown was lost, so it became Van Gumpy or Dunleavy - I think the made the right choice - they did make the playoffs for the first time last year. But, JVG has confused me this year. He is clearly coaching worse and has made some interesting decisions that haven't turned out well. Given that there is now at least one bigger name out there - Phil Jackson - who I hate but who at least does clearly have the track record, JVG has to be on the hot seat. Also, I wouldn't blame the role players. The Rockets ARE short on talent beyond Yao and Tracy. But Howard and JJ are both good role players and Taylor can occasionally show some life. Mutumbo should be a good defensive presence, etc. There is arguably as much talent here as Shaq/Kobe had surrounding them, and we know how that went.
im out of this group. because most of you guys that blames van gundy now, blamed francis the year before, even when we made the play-offs since 99. sometimes i feel you guys arent true rockets fans. as soon as we lose, everyone in clutch bbs play the blame game. (you guys blamed cato, francis, the moochster, and mobley for every little loss. and now that they're all gone; everyone blames, and points the finger at van gundy. why dont we blame cd or les? why not blame yao for getting every entry pass picked off by smaller quicker players? my only gripe about van gundy is not signing a quality point guard.
What's wrong with you?? The team is losing and looks horrible in the process, and you think that these guys aren't true Rockets fans because they are mad about it and want to blame someone?? If you don't think JVG is the problem, that's one thing, discuss that intelligently. Yao CERTAINLY gets a lot of blame. Your comment is pretty off point, though - Yao has 3 turnovers in the last two heartbreaking losses. You can't put those games on his shoulders. Everything right now points at JVG. A team that plays to its competitors levels, can't play 4 solid quarters, can't close out games, has significant problems rotating on defense (our head coach's apparent strength), etc. Blame has to be put on someone - the team is beyond underachieving. I'd put the order like this: 1) JVG 2) JVG 3) JVG 4) PG's 5) PF's 6) TMac - is he a top 5 player hampered by JVG or just not a top 5 player? 7) Yao - he's been inconsistent, but the least of the team's problems.
I think I started this club last year before the season started. That was pretty bad coaching last night. C'mon man. When you are up by 2 pts, you don't let them take a three pointer. First of all, why didn't JVG use a delay of game to at least see what the Knicks were going to do. At least JVG could've made some kind of Defensive adjustment. Secondly, why didn'y he instruct the team to FOUL. Worst comes to worst, you make the Knicks earn the two points at the line and maybe go into overtime. oh well... I HATE JVG CLUB!
Phil Jackson is probably laughing his ass off at JVG. Ever since his days as the Bulls' head coach, he has stomped JVG into the ground. Phil Jackson probably would want to take JVG's job just to show JVG he can do a better job.
Or Why not let TMAC launch a REALLY HIGH shot as the shot clock expires......it may not hit anything but the clock will still run and the game would be over. DD
If T-Mac had tossed that ball as high as it could be in the last 1/10 th second of the shot clock, it need to take about 2.6 s (remaining in the game clock) to finish the whole trajectory of the ball (up and down). h=(1/2)gt^2 t=2.6/2 = 1.3 s g = 9.8 solve that, h= 8.28 m = 27.6 ft Not impossible.
JVG isn't the right coach for this team. The personell on the floor doesn't fit JVG's system, and JVG won't change his philosophy. Everyone says give this team more time to gel. How much gelling do you need to beat the Hawks/Knicks? 1. We're playing bad, real bad. 2. JVG isn't getting the most out of this team, not getting the most out of Yao/TMac. 3. And most of all , WE"RE NOT WINNING. JVG is not doing his job, period. And I think we all know what should happen if you're not getting the job done.
After watching the rockets lose these last few games, i believe its time for a coaching change too.... I say we go after Phil Jackson... but how bad would that be for JVG? Losing his job to phil, his archnemeis... eh w/e it takes to win i guess
When people choose JVG over Steve, Cat, and Rudy they always point to the fact that we made the playoffs last year. Litttle do people seem to remember is that the yr before JVG got here, the Rox were in the 7th seed with 15 games to go but Rudy was diagnoised w/ cancer and Larry Smith ran the team directly into the ground. The yr. before that, Francis missed more than a quarter of the season w/ the foot problems and struugled through the rest with migrane headaches. The year before that, the Rox finished the season with the best record in NBA HISTORY that didn't make the playoffs. That year they were 45-37, good enough to make the playoffs every year since then and coincdently a game better that the wonderful JVG did last year. JVG has glaring issues as a coach. His stubborness and what that does to good players. Steve Francis just up and has the worst season of his career in his 4th season? How does that happen? Now he's back to his normal all-star level. TMac and Yao disappearing every 4th quarter? Allan Houston and Latrell Spreewell not being able to score 20ppg in the prime of their careers? The common thread? JVG. He doesn't work well with exceptionally talented players plain and simple. I will admit, Steve and Cuttino were my guys and I'm pissed they were traded but I am a Rox fan through and through and I hope it works out. I have my reservations however.
