Someone PLEASE Explain to me why he is considered SO GREAT? I just don't see it I think he is a good coach . . . . . What makes people think he is better than RUDY? Rocket River willing to be convinced
Good Question, I wonder the same things myself. I don't know if people would call him a great coach, but more of an icon. His defensive schemes are miraculous, you can't deny that. But just the way he looks (stressed out, I hate my life, get me a drink, look) intrigues a lot of people. He seems so devoted to the game and to his team that it makes him look sick. Also, jumping between two 7ft, 280lb black basketball players while fighting, probably shows a lot to NBA analysis.
Yes, he looks so miserable coaching this team and sounds so miserable talking about the infinite shortcomings of this team's players that I think we should just end his misery here and now and fire his miserable ass.
He appears to be more disciplined than Rudy was and set up a lot more plays. Rudy's game seemed very free flowing, which was definitely fun to watch and seemed a lot more natural. I think JVG's whole demeanor and attitude commands respect and he expects things to be done his way. Its this kind of quality that you need as a coach, to earn the players respect. I don't know that he has an all round understanding and appreciation of the game, its well noted that he is defensively biased, but he has a strong work ethic and he pushes himself to the limit to get the job done, its good to see someone as determined as we are to see the Rockets succeed.
I think its pretty easy to see why he's a great coach 1) Player loyalty- JVG has a reputation of being incredibly loyal to his players...Players appreciate that as they know they are loved and cared for... 2) Defense- the man is a defensive genius, taking basically the same Rockets squad from last season and making it top 3 in total defense... 3) Commitment- JVG stays up late hours and comes in early to watch tape and analyze his team...he's his team's toughest critic and only demands the best... 4) He never missed the playoffs with a severly undermanned and undersized Knicks team, always getting the best from each player... I personally like JVG as a coach and think he will work wonders for the Rockets. He does WHATEVER it takes to win, whether it means changing styles or changing personnel...and people respect that dedication.
LOL. If ISO after ISO is free flowing and more fun to watch, then I'll take boring anyday. Remember Rudyball was one of the reason's the league changed the defensive rules...that wasn't a compliment by the league.
Just because someone hasn't won a championship doesn't mean that person's not a great coach. Rudy is not a betetr coach than JVG when it comes to ACTUAL coaching. However, Rudy knew how to deal with personnel and he knew how to keep everyone happy. I guess you can say that his style was to keep the team's morale high which would eventually lead to better production. However, this approach doesn't work with a young team that doesn't KNOW how to produce. Personally, I don't think JVG can lead this team to a title. However, JVG is a better coach for this team than Rudy IMO. Once JVG is through transforming the core of this team into a team that can recognize WHEN lockdown defense is needed, and is able to apply it to every team in the league, then his job is done. At that point, we need a coach similar to Rudy again. That coach, whoever it may be, will be able to lead this team to a championship, in LARGE part because of JVG.
I really liked this post. I haven't been upset with JVG yet. He's a great coach for the reasons above. I don't want to blame the players' abilities for the teams troubles, but rather I'd call it growing pains, plain and simple. But still frustrating. Oh, and all these trade Yao threads lately are the most r****ded things ever.
Who all was on that Team? Is that the team that had Allan Houston LaTrell Spreewell Patrick Ewing and Larry Johnson on it? Undermanned??? you have some high standards my friend Rocket River
I personally think he's a great coach but I will say this: sports achievements in New York City are often more visible than in other cities, which tends to make them somewhat overrated. I bet far more average fans could identify Van Gundy over Popovich.
LJ was on the downhill by the time the Knicks got him and his best season was his first 12p-9r. LJ's steadily declined every year to the point where he was barely a 10-10 in his final two seasons. Ewing was 34 yo in JVG's first full season. Sprewell and Houston did what under Chaney?
