Rockets legend, TV's Jeff Van Gundy, defeats USA with GLeaguers

Pop i think

 

Would prefer Darren Erman over JVG if truth be told but would take JVG over Lue 10 out of 10 times and double that on game day.

 

Honestly, idk enough about Erman to speak intelligently on him...
but I'll always love me some JVG!


Thats the kinda tenacious lil terrier I'd go to war with!

Personally, I'd love to see JVG as HC - with a top flite OC...
Imo... the thing we miss most often is a sense of focus and urgency along with accountability... those are the traits i think JVG has in spades!

 

Darren Erman is considered a defensive genius who was nick named Baby Thibs by Rondo during Celtics Championship contending seasons and is beloved by Draymond Green, Klay Thompson and even Steph during the the formative part of the GSW dynasty (pre-Durant).

Was assistant coach under Doc Rivers, Mark Jackson, Steve Kerr, Alvin Gentry and soon Brad Stevens (re-hired by Celtics to HC their G League team).

Still young (44), and only available because of off court nonsense.

 

Absolutely love JVG.

 

He meant “whatever it takes to save a buck” unfortunately

 

why harrison barnes is on the team is beyond me...
kemba and donovan mitchell look a step slow (tired legs maybe?)
and man do i miss jvg coaching the rockets

 

He's making a pile of money calling games …. Tilman balked at paying Mike , Dan and Tony $5m+ on an extension while other coaches are making considerably more …. Cleveland's paying Lue $7m not to coach ... What makes you think Tilman would fork over enough to get Van Grumpy to give up the TV gig ?

Otherwise … yeah , I'd love to see him back.

 

Lol, totally random dig at statistics. It must suck not being able to use what is inarguably the greatest tool for analyzing basketball.

 

Mitchel can't really lead a team, why utah is moving him to shooting guard, and has gotten conley to be floor general. Not surprising that team beat them, they look like they were focused and ready to play, while maybe the playoffs has really effected those players, plus there no real superstar on the floor.

 

Rox need to bring back JVG

 

I agree statistics are a great tool for analyzation... prob is many pull a few stats and use them as the end all conclusion... as if all stats exist in the same/comparable vacuum...
For example, one could argue that Phil Jackson is the greatest coach ever - multiple championships on 2 diff teams... tons of stats to support his greatness... but look what happened when he didnt have one or 2 of the greatest players of all of all time - a total trainwreck...

I put the statistics line in bc I didnt need every MDA white knight neidermeyer regurgitating his numbers regarding offensive efficiencies...

 

imo coaching is the 'put up or shut up' point for Tilman... coaches salaries have no bearing on cap or LT... but can go a long way towards 'whatever it takes...'
If he wants to continue to work coaching on the cheap - speaks volumes regarding his actual willingness to spend... as opposed to "we almost had a deal... but they backed out..."

 

For example....

MDA has coached some outstanding teams. Statistically some of the best. But look what happened when Paul got injured or when Horry decided he was gonna bring some Hockey moves onto an NBA court.

It’s almost as if you need really awesome players on the court to win.

Not even sticking up for MDA. Just pointing out how you will gladly recognize circumstances for one coach and pretty much ignore them for Mike. And it’s pretty much because you don’t like him as a coach.

 

Your retort misses the mark - as you totally miss my point...

I wasnt making excuses or 'recognizing circumstances' for Phil... I was actually pointing out that despite his successes I dont believe him to be 'all that' - as evidenced by the time he was given the reigns in NY - but failed to produce anything remotely competitive... instead he posted the worst record in franchise history....
My point being that Phil Jacksons successes (imo) were based moreso on having greatly talented players - not on his stellar abilities....

It's the same view I carry over to MDA... everybody wants to say he's been such a great coach for us and point at his record and efficiency stats... but he's got the MVP and I believe DM has given him a pretty good roster (even if he refuses to utilize a portion of it every year - Trez)... McFail was able to ride Harden to the WCF... and McFail was an idiot and he had those 'cancers' D12 and Josh Smith as well as Corey Brewer... Until MDA can advance us a series further than McFail....

Additionally... imo... MDA pads his stats/efficiencies by keeping starters in games long after the reserves should be in... by playing for regular season greatness instead of working load mgmt for the long haul of a championship... and by not giving enough focus to defensive priorities such as rim protection and rebounding - which then come back to bite us on the butt later...

Injuries happen... but when injuries derail a coaches 'championship caliber' team time and time and time again... you gotta question why this trend is happening... maybe its just the worst of luck... maybe a little better load mgmt and CP3 doesnt come up lame... maybe a little more player development and 1 or 2 guys can step up for a game and help us close out that series...

 

Gleaguers were defending hard, cutting hard, posting up, and shooting midrange jumpers. The USA was standing around passing in the 3 point line.

 

He’s never had the healthy(or not suspended) favorite and failed.

What you are basically acknowledging is that talent trumps all. Idiots and guys you think aren’t all that are capable of winning it all or at worst WCF. Which I totally agree with and Morey has often alluded to. Tons of coaches could have gotten titles out of the 90s Bulls or the recent Warriors. But had Kobe or Scottie been hurt, I don’t think so. Just like we saw with the Warriors this year to an even more extreme extent injury wise.

Your complaints are all just maybe’s and what ifs. Maybe he plays these guys who may or may not warrant playing time during the season and we lose some games that cost us home court and we lose game 7 on the road.

What coach is out there who is consistently leading injured and/or underdogs to the finals or further? Is there even one?

You have a weird annoyance with stats that point to a high caliber team but then don’t yield the results you would expect from those stats. When no one has ever said a certain stat guarantees the title, but that you are one of a handful that has a serious shot at the title.

 

Haha. Several gems in here:

JVG turning back in to Gollum
Super Bowl Franchise

I rarely get any thought provoking analysis on this forum. I’m mainly here for news about injuries, trades, and humor.

Thank you for your contribution!

 

The problem I have with stats is people using them to justify not addressing issues that exist that prevent us from getting to the next level.

Like back when Harden was guilty of turnstile defense... the comeback was "well look at his offensive usage numbers and efficiencies - you cant expect him to play defense too!" Then we aint gonna win... and we didnt...

Back when I b****ed about the need to diversify and play as a team and not make harden the only option - then it was "well the numbers say harden is our most efficient scorer so we need to operate this way" - then we get bounced in the first round bc 1 guy cant carry you in the playoffs...

When I've b****ed about being too reliant on the 3 ball and not cultivating other options, then it was "statistically the 3 ball is the best option so we just need to run that to the nth degree..." - then we shoot ourselves right outta the series...

Now if you point out any of MDA's shortcomings you get a regurgitation of his stats (which are padded as aforementioned)... heaven forbid we try to develop players or put a body or 2 on the court that can rebound and defend the rim - that may adversely affect those precious offensive efficiency stats... are we playing for regular season statistical greatness - or to win a championship - bc one is not a replacement for the other...

Stats are fine and dandy... but they are not a replacement for winning a championship and they should not be used as an excuse to not continue to evolve and improve....

For God's sakes can we get somebody that can take the ball into the post and finish with 2 hands up over the rim! At least a couple series coulda turned out differently if we utilized such an option occasionally down the stretch... but no... "statistically you need a stretch blah blah blah..."

too many statisticians and not enough ballers - and you need both... Analytics provide good information that can be utilized - but its basketball not an algebra equation...