[Woj] Van Gundy is at the top of the Rockets’ list of candidates

The whole old as dirt vet thing was allowed by Carroll Dawson; Morey wouldn't allow that ****.

 

I want JVG back, but I can't believe he wants to go through the grind again. Remember how big the bags were under his eyes? Maybe he'll have a healthier approach if he comes back.

 

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-partner="tweetdeck"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Before game one between the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Rockets?src=hash">#Rockets</a> &amp; <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Warriors?src=hash">#Warriors</a> in Oakland we asked Jeff Van Gundy bout potentially coaching again: <a href="https://t.co/JrXP5qC08x">pic.twitter.com/JrXP5qC08x</a></p>&mdash; Mark Berman (@MarkBermanFox26) <a href="https://twitter.com/MarkBermanFox26/status/722193973217878017">April 18, 2016</a></blockquote>
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JVG is one of my favorite human beings of all time

 

Is it really blinded by the moment, or recognizing theres a small select few candidates of coaches out there who could potentially salvage the remaining years with Harden.

If you don't believe that is possible, or you don't believe that is a viable plan, then you're basically advocating for starting all over from a roster standpoint.... and complaining about the potential coach is meaningless.

This team is dead in the water right now... it could actually get a lot worse (Carmelo with the Knicks worse). They cannot waste another prime year of Harden if he remains on this team.

 

Do people remember why he was fired?? we will be lucky if we score 80 pts a game..

 

Those were some slow games. Dj Screw level slow. But I'd rather watch slow games and win.

 

An exaggeration to be sure. His offensive sets often featured more movement and ball rotation than what is currently being showcased.

Its not getting better right now. It could definitely get worse without proper leadership.

 

<blockquote class="twitter-video" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">JVG gets it. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NBAonABC?src=hash">#NBAonABC</a><a href="https://t.co/qgE3FMYmLN">https://t.co/qgE3FMYmLN</a></p>&mdash; Houston Rockets (@HoustonRockets) <a href="https://twitter.com/HoustonRockets/status/582231489674240000">March 29, 2015</a></blockquote>
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YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS.

With James Harden, offense never will be a problem.

 

James Harden would say it's not a issue. Next.

 

That was back then, now the speed and dynamic of the game is totally different. So I believe Coach Van Gundy will adapt to Morey's philosophy. Coach will also implement his defensive mindset.

 

THINGS I HATED ABOUT JVG
1. His short rotations throughout the season wore down our main guys causing extreme fatigue and injuries going into the playoffs. In my opinion his over reliance on Yao and playing Yao so many hard minutes shortened Yao's career.

2. He HATED young players that needed development and refused to play them even when the game was decided. This greatly contributed to #1.

3. His love for Juwon Howard and Howard's crappy 17-foot line drive jump shot that Howard hit at about a 38% clip and when he missed it bounced out long and our opponents got runout dunks on the other end.

4. His refusal to bring Yao out to the high post when Yao was being triple-teamed in the post. Yao was a great 17 foot shooter and high post passer and JVG would not exploit his skill set.

5. His love of Rafer Alston and Rafers terrible tear-drop floater. See #3 above.

6. The fact that he hated turnovers so much that he refused to play a high turnover player like Spanoulis who created more turnovers defensively than he made while continuing to play a conservative low turnover player like Rafer who couldn't shoot, nor finish, nor get to the free throw line.

THINGS I LOVED ABOUT JVG

1. His brute honesty with the media. The man always told the truth about what he was thinking and feeling. Didn't play deceptive games with the media and fans. And his press conferences were entertaining, informative, and addictive because of the merging of great basketball iq, genius wit and dry humor.

2. Red Rowdies - he started it and I believe he actually bought the whole block of tickets and had tryouts for the seats to get the craziest, rowdiest fans in that section at the end of the court. Super cool move.

3. He was a high character work-a-holic. He worked harder than any coach I've ever seen. Guy always looked like death warmed over by the All-Star break. You gotta respect and love that.

4. The fact that he could take a bunch of old worn out players and turn then into a top 5 defense. The man was a fabulous defensive mastermind. (I always kept wondering what kind of team we'd have if he mixed a bunch of young, athletic freaks into his defensive system.)

5. His love of Shane Battier and push to trade for him. I knew it was the right move even if unsexy at the time. This speaks to JVG's high character core.

6. JVG's understanding and maintenance of offensive floor balance and how it contributes to a successful defense by helping to minimize opponent runouts.

7. The fact that he hated turnovers so much and understood how devastating high turnovers were to team success. There's no doubt in my mind that if JVG were the coach of this current bunch that his emphasis on cutting turnovers would make Harden much more successful IF Harden would accept his coaching.

 

Uhg. We tried this relationship already. Next?

 

Where's the JVG_cooking.gif dammit?

 

Yes, any top coach would be welcome.
However, the reality is there is no chance to win a championship for any coach including Phil Jackson with this team that Morey build. It is up to those coaches if they want to try.

 

What the heck was wrong with Sura?!?!?!?! I would KILL for a Van Gundy era healthy Sura right now. Geez, you just lost all credibility, man.

Plus, Bowen was not a past-his-prime vet. That was as prime as Bowen ever got, baby!!!!

 

Van Gundy is easily my favorite coach of all time outside of Rudy for obvious reasons. I'd be shocked if he came back but I'd be ecstatic.

 

People here assume that JVG will have remained stagnant as a coach over the previous 5+ years, instead of having the ability to adapt and learn from his time in the broadcast booth.

I would hope and expect that JVG has picked up significant knowledge from watching the game develop as an outsider.

As I've said a million times, my dream choice would be Ollie, but I think JVG or Thibs with the right staff around him would be an excellent choice to maximize Harden's value in his prime.

 

I am okay with this.