RIET, surely you can see that for Ainge's entire career, and brief coaching stint, that he cannot command respect from anyone. Bird used to taunt him....lol zzhiggins, I was screaming right with you and Larry ... "Hold the f!cking ball higher!" I'd make Yao watch Kevin McHale tapes of how he would never bring the ball down, cept on the legendary up and under move.
RIET you make great points but it would be like hiring Ray Knight to coach the Astros or Terry Bradshaw/ Frank Reich (UGGGGGH) to coach the Texans. I think Danny Ainge is solid, although he's been punked a few times. Remember the Horry incident?
Bird used to taunt everyone. That's what made him Larry Bird. And yes, I do believe that Ainge could gain the respect of this motley bunch. When you have a quiet, impressionable, almost aloof kid like Eddie Griffin, I have no clue what kind of guidance this staff has given him. Forget his drug issue or who he hangs out with, etc.... At the Seattle game, watching him take 3 pointer after 3 pointer in shootaround before the game, tells me all I need to know. Listen to Rudy talk about how the staff have tried to curb his 3 point shooting and yet watch him continue doing the same things over and over again. I think the players love Rudy. However,do they really listen to him? And if so, why do they make the same mistakes over and over again?
I know, I know. However, I think for this type of team, he would be a good match. This team just isn't mature enough to handle a laid back coach.
OH MY GOD! I thought I was the only one that noticed that! I can't believe that Yao nullifies his height half the time because he brings the ball down EVERYTIME he gets an offenseive rebound. No one was better than Kevin McHale at holding the ball over his head during rebounds (Duncan and Garnett are pretty good at this). He also used that technique where you kick the ball behind your head when you are coming down from a rebound. Prevents high-strips, and also gives balance.
Seriously, if you're gonna fire Rudy (which I don't want), hire somebody good and take control of this team, some one can command respect. He's a little of a tough coach but if you try to be tough with out the cred in this league, you're just gonna cause problems, towel in the face mean anything to you? What we don't want is mutiny and chaos next season, with the resentment of Rudy gone and Ainge coming in and stepping on toes, we expect a huge break down and disappointing season. If you are gonna fire Rudy, hire Van Gundy.
It wouldn't hurt Yao to throw a few elbows around, too...Somebody wants the ball? Smack 'em in the mouth! Sure, you might get called for a foul, but you can bet that person won't be trying to get their grubby hands on the ball when you have it again...
i remember... ... but i remember the mario elie/danny ainge incident better. hahahahah!!! mario was getting ready to open a can on his asprin.
Because if we DO trade Mobley, I can't wait to take EVERY opportunity to show you how wrong you all are. I noted that, too. We just traded KT who had that fire. You need that type of fire on your team. If we trade Mobley it better be for a very good player who also has that type of fire.
If Danny Ainge became the coach of this team, I would no longer be a fan of the Houston Rockets. **** Danny Ainge...I hate that punk more than any jazz player...
Yeah, but Ainge was Bird's starting shooting guard, and looked up to him. I don't think Ainge ever recovered from Bird showing little respect for him.
i've thought about that, as well. if we don't get a fiery type of player on this team, we may have a bunch of p*****s on the team. i dunno. maybe it's overrated or whatever, but i like having a couple of fiery guys on the team that'll get in your face when you screw up.
actually it's neither. mcgrady had 5.5 asts, kobe had 5.9 asts (if we're technically talking a real 6.0 asts/game he didn't make it), and jason kidd only had 18.7 pts. i think those were the only candidates for a 20/6/6 season. so francis, as far as i know, was the only 20/6/6 player this year. and i've been saying the same thing about cuttino for a long time. he has fire and passion and the will to work hard to get better. don't undervalue those things. and you can't tell me he hasn't worked hard to fit in more and more with what's being expected of him. unless you bring in another guard who knows how to play D and can shoot, then why bother, you're just bringing in more liabilities. basically all he doesn't do is pass like everyone wants (or suck yao's you know what) and he's villified as the worst player in the league. i feel he is extremely undervalued on this board and someone real good better take his place if he leaves. oh and they better be cheap also.
The problem being, Rudy keeps trying to fit square pegs into round holes, that sort of thing. Steve wanted to be a point guard. He isn't. Then you have a decent copy of the same player alongside him in Cuttino. As you say, if we can't get such-and-so qualities in the player we trade for, then we don't bother. So let's make sure we do.
ahhhhhh!! how could i diss the guy who carried my fantasy team (along with tmac). i apologize for overlooking you KG. you would think seeing him all over tv during the 3 lakers/twolves games would've had him fresh in my mind.
History tells me that a players endorsement of a coach means little to nothing. Reading this piece makes me sentimentally favorable to RudyT. But endorsement from our Franchise player means jack to me. It all depends on what Les thinks and wants. Rudy has his flaws and they have not changed for years now - he also comes accross as someone who is occassionally intellectually bankrupt. Players move on. Yao will certainly move if Les deems it fit to move RudyT. Every situation should be evaluated and he should not be given a pass (sentimental) because of his Superficial Cancer. I suspect Money owed him will probably be what will make Les bring him back ($12M I believe) + continuity. But that will mean making history - in the form of being the first head coach to retain his job after 4 consecutive lottery seasons. This is a business and I hope above all it is treated as one - one propelled by the motivation to be the best and cut problem parts - including coaches and players.
At least we know Larry Smith can see what all the basketball announcers are saying about Yao and the turnovers. Now if we could get the coaching staff to see what everyone else says about our anemic offense and non usage of our supposed weapons, youth, speed, and Yao.
