JVG's Philosophy on rookies, good or bad?

Discussion in 'Houston Rockets' started by Blurr#7, Jan 17, 2007.

  1. Blurr#7

    Blurr#7 JBB JustBBall Member

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    Seeing as to JVG just will not give rookies any kind of consistent pt. I think it can come back to bite us in the long run. Vspan hasn't seen the floor in weeks and Novak get's situational minutes. These guy's confidence must be trashed!! How do we know what they can contribute if they never get PT? This is definetly bad!
     
  2. dakeem1

    dakeem1 JBB JustBBall Member

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    hhmm.. I kinda of agree, but we are playing great without them though.

    You're right that, for future reference, a player like VSpan should get more PT if he is to evolve into a consistent player. Though the Rocket's organisation have expressed their desire to contend NOW.

    So for the sake of the present, JVG's philosophy on Rookies works fine. Though I agree that i don't see SPan and Novak getting consinnderably better unless they can play a breakout game and proove their worth.
     
  3. ROCK4LIFE

    ROCK4LIFE Active Member

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    This is part of my problem with JVG. He doesn't trust his offense, relying on defense 98% of the time. He'll play Chuck Hayes (no offense, good defense) but won't play Novak (good offense, no defense). It's very troublsome[​IMG]
     
  4. foo82

    foo82 JBB JustBBall Member

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    <div class="quote_poster">Blurr#7 Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Seeing as to JVG just will not give rookies any kind of consistent pt. I think it can come back to bite us in the long run. Vspan hasn't seen the floor in weeks and Novak get's situational minutes. These guy's confidence must be trashed!! How do we know what they can contribute if they never get PT? This is definetly bad!</div>

    I don't think its JVG. We are contenders. Do you honestly believe that Novak and VSpan would get significant playing time in Dallas, San Antonio, or Phoenix? They might get more than what they are getting now...but not by much.

    Hes given both of them a chance and it didnt work out. He gave JL3 a chance as well, and hes played pretty decently. That is why he is getting more and more pt. In JVG system, you have to prove yourself. VSpan played well in the first few games he was let in. JVG gave him more pt. Then he started sucking (badly), and he was pulled. Its not like hes purposely picking on rookies. He has a fair system in where if you show you can contribute, you will play. Padgett showed that he was worthless, so hes benched as well.

    When each game is this important, do you honestly want them in? I do admit that I would very much like to see both of them play. But...if I had to choose between winning more games and developing these two, I would choose to win 100%.
     
  5. durvasa

    durvasa JBB Rockets Fan

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    <div class="quote_poster">Rock4life Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">This is part of my problem with JVG. He doesn't trust his offense, relying on defense 98% of the time. He'll play Chuck Hayes (no offense, good defense) but won't play Novak (good offense, no defense). It's very troublsome[​IMG]</div>

    Here's the difference. We can control where the ball goes on offense. Chuck will rarely be put in a position to make a really bad play offensively (*maybe* once or twice a game), so he generally limits himself to doing positive things. He ends up shooting a relatively high percentage (on very few attempts), not a lot of turnovers, and he gets you a bunch of offensive rebounds. Overall, he's generally not killing the offense, and at times (not as much recently) he actually is a significant help.

    On defense, you can't control where the ball goes. The other team does. So, Novak's lack of defensive skills ends up hurting the team more. He literally has no redeeming value on the defensive end. And when he's on the court, that's a signal to the other team to attack him.
     
  6. ROCK4LIFE

    ROCK4LIFE Active Member

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    <div class="quote_poster">durvasa Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">On defense, you can't control where the ball goes. The other team does. So, Novak's lack of defensive skills ends up hurting the team more. He literally has no redeeming value on the defensive end. And when he's on the court, that's a signal to the other team to attack him.</div>
    It's called zone. Anytime you wanna hide a player defensivley you go into a zone. It might not work for a whole game but it could be effective for stretches. Theres no reason Novak shouldn't get more minutes some games.
     
  7. foo82

    foo82 JBB JustBBall Member

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    <div class="quote_poster">Rock4life Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">It's called zone. Anytime you wanna hide a player defensivley you go into a zone. It might not work for a whole game but it could be effective for stretches. Theres no reason Novak shouldn't get more minutes some games.</div>

    Zone will not help. Against a good shooting team, the zone will be ripped apart quite easily (don't forget our preseason against Dallas). Why screw up a defensive scheme when it is already working. Novak is somewhat slow on the transition and zone defense will not save him. The idea of switching a defensive scheme for one unproven rookie, when you are ranked one in the league in defense, is ludicrous.
     
  8. ROCK4LIFE

    ROCK4LIFE Active Member

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    <div class="quote_poster">foo82 Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Zone will not help. Against a good shooting team, the zone will be ripped apart quite easily (don't forget our preseason against Dallas). Why screw up a defensive scheme when it is already working. Novak is somewhat slow on the transition and zone defense will not save him. The idea of switching a defensive scheme for one unproven rookie, when you are ranked one in the league in defense, is ludicrous.</div>
    Ur exaggerating....There many ways you can hide a player who's defensivley weak. Steve Nash can't play a lick of D but yet he plays 40mins a game. I'm sure we can substitute offense in for 10 minutes of a 40 minute game. If Mutumbo can come in and give us defense, Novak can come in and give us offense.
     
  9. AznxBaller

    AznxBaller JBB Back...

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    <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Ur exaggerating....There many ways you can hide a player who's defensivley weak. Steve Nash can't play a lick of D but yet he plays 40mins a game. I'm sure we can substitute offense in for 10 minutes of a 40 minute game. If Mutumbo can come in and give us defense, Novak can come in and give us offense.</div>
    Bringing Nash into this conversation is a moot point. We play a completely different offense as compared to Phoenix's run it out track style. Almost all of their players can run the floor every posession for extended periods of time, while with guys like Mutombo and Yao, we can't do the same. There's also a strong possibility that by subbing Novak in for those ten minutes, we could get ripped defensively.
     
  10. ROCK4LIFE

    ROCK4LIFE Active Member

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    <div class="quote_poster">AznxBaller Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Bringing Nash into this conversation is a moot point. We play a completely different offense as compared to Phoenix's run it out track style. Almost all of their players can run the floor every posession for extended periods of time, while with guys like Mutombo and Yao, we can't do the same. There's also a strong possibility that by subbing Novak in for those ten minutes, we could get ripped defensively.</div>
    So you'd rather get ripped offensivley?
     
  11. tinyballer

    tinyballer JBB JustBBall Member

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    HE HAS A HORRIBLE approach for rookies to gain experience turn ball over less and do all the stuff he wants them to do he needs to play them so they learn.
     
  12. AznxBaller

    AznxBaller JBB Back...

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    <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">So you'd rather get ripped offensivley?</div>
    Novak's not going to solve our problems offensively, so its not like if we don't have him in, we'd get ripped.
     
  13. ROCK4LIFE

    ROCK4LIFE Active Member

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    <div class="quote_poster">AznxBaller Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Novak's not going to solve our problems offensively, so its not like if we don't have him in, we'd get ripped.</div>
    Why not? With Rafer jackin up 3's in the 4th quarter of games, those same shots could be Novak's
     
  14. durvasa

    durvasa JBB Rockets Fan

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    <div class="quote_poster">Rock4life Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Why not? With Rafer jackin up 3's in the 4th quarter of games, those same shots could be Novak's</div>

    You want Novak playing point?
     
  15. ROCK4LIFE

    ROCK4LIFE Active Member

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    <div class="quote_poster">durvasa Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">You want Novak playing point?</div>
    Obcourse not....But those same shots Rafer's bricking in the 4th quarter should be going to somebody who can actually hit them.

    Tmac
    Head
    Novak
    Battier
    Howard


    This team is very small. But could be a problem if teams double team. With Tmac creating, we have 4 shooters who can stretch the defense. Novak is bound to get some open looks off either pick n roll or penetration.
     
  16. foo82

    foo82 JBB JustBBall Member

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    I took this from a different board (not sure if we are allowed to reference other message boards).

    It's an article showing Spanoulis's frustration with the Rockets.

    http://www.enet.gr/online/online_text/c=115,id=23616948

    I did not translate the following. The translation came from the same message board.

    "Things weren't as I expected them in Houston. If I knew that, I would have probably stayed in Europe this year. I was promised a guaranteed playing time, that's how they convinced me to come. The GM of the team was in Athens frequently, they were calling me on the phone every day. So much money, so much attention, so much interest, just for me to play for 1 minute or not at all? Even now, (the administration people) approach me all the time, they tell me they believe in me, they encourage me, they show me that they love me. If they didn't count on me they would just ignore me but they care a lot about me. When I talked to Van Gundy, he told me that the GM chose the players and not him. "I'm just coaching the team" he said. This sounds like a lack of communication between him and the administration, like they're playing ego games. You want to know the craziest thing? If I judge from what the coach asks of me, he doesn't know at all what kind of player I am! He tells me he wants to make me into a "spot shooter". He wants my teammates to create open shots for me. Everyone knows though that my game is based on creation, not execution. I never said I was an authentic shooter. This isn't my strength nor do I enjoy playing like that. This situation irritates me. There has to be a solution but I don't know what it will be.

    Since I'm not enjoying what I'm doing, yes, I might return to Europe. I don't believe the Rockets will let me go so easily though. They wouldn't want to admit that they made a mistake with me. The GM told me that I belong here and that they want to keep me for years. They can't put chains on me though. We're talking about my life and my career. I knew how difficult things were for other great European players, like Jasikevicius, Macijauskas, even for the late Petrovic, but I feel like I was cheated since they promised me that I would have a leading role on the team.

    I don't believe that I had my chance and blew it. My coach praised me everytime I played. From what my teammates told me, never in the past has he been so positive and said so many good words about a "rookie". There's always the possibility that I might leave, it doesn't depend on me but they can't keep me a prisoner here either. Anything is possible, even going to another NBA team. The thought of giving up so soon makes me even more stubborn and willing to try but my main concern is feeling good with myself wherever I am, even if I was on the Moon. I don't want to violate my own values, especially since I feel I was deceived. It doesn't make me feel good.

    I don't regret coming to the NBA. I wouldn't be Vasilis if I hadn't come. I would have it as a repressed desire for the rest of my life. I'm proud to be in the NBA. Now I know how it is. I came and saw it from the inside. In the future I'll be able to judge situations better now that I know first-hand what playing in the NBA means for a player. They say to me that things would be better if I was here in the summer and worked with the team but that was impossible since we had the World Cup.


    I talk often with Panathinaikos people. They call me to learn how I'm doing, to wish me on holidays, that kind of stuff. We are connected by love and there isn't the slightest difference between us. Panathinaikos respected my decision to go to the NBA and didn't try to stop me, so they'll be my first choice if I ever come back. I don't think this will happen now though, in the middle of the year. The GM wouldn't want to lose face by letting me go only after 4 months.

    I never had so much free time to improve my game. I'm spending all my time on the court, so don't worry about the national team, you'll see a Spanoulis who will be even better than last year. I'm working on aspects of the game I wasn't good enough and I'm in the mood for even more work and improvement. I'm on a very good physical condition right now and emotionally I don't have any problems. At this point in my life, only basketball interests me. I don't have any confidence problems. Quite the opposite. I'm just being patient until the better days come.

    I'm an egoist and a stubborn person and I'll fight to the end for any chance I can get. If I was in a different team, I could even have been "rookie of the year". So it's a matter of luck and coincidence as well. It's not right to give up on your ambitions so easily. Even the greatest players in history had difficult moments in their careers."
     
  17. ROCK4LIFE

    ROCK4LIFE Active Member

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    <div class="quote_poster">foo82 Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">I took this from a different board (not sure if we are allowed to reference other message boards).

    It's an article showing Spanoulis's frustration with the Rockets.

    http://www.enet.gr/online/online_text/c=115,id=23616948

    I did not translate the following. The translation came from the same message board.

    "Things weren't as I expected them in Houston. If I knew that, I would have probably stayed in Europe this year. I was promised a guaranteed playing time, that's how they convinced me to come. The GM of the team was in Athens frequently, they were calling me on the phone every day. So much money, so much attention, so much interest, just for me to play for 1 minute or not at all? Even now, (the administration people) approach me all the time, they tell me they believe in me, they encourage me, they show me that they love me. If they didn't count on me they would just ignore me but they care a lot about me. When I talked to Van Gundy, he told me that the GM chose the players and not him. "I'm just coaching the team" he said. This sounds like a lack of communication between him and the administration, like they're playing ego games. You want to know the craziest thing? If I judge from what the coach asks of me, he doesn't know at all what kind of player I am! He tells me he wants to make me into a "spot shooter". He wants my teammates to create open shots for me. Everyone knows though that my game is based on creation, not execution. I never said I was an authentic shooter. This isn't my strength nor do I enjoy playing like that. This situation irritates me. There has to be a solution but I don't know what it will be.

    Since I'm not enjoying what I'm doing, yes, I might return to Europe. I don't believe the Rockets will let me go so easily though. They wouldn't want to admit that they made a mistake with me. The GM told me that I belong here and that they want to keep me for years. They can't put chains on me though. We're talking about my life and my career. I knew how difficult things were for other great European players, like Jasikevicius, Macijauskas, even for the late Petrovic, but I feel like I was cheated since they promised me that I would have a leading role on the team.

    I don't believe that I had my chance and blew it. My coach praised me everytime I played. From what my teammates told me, never in the past has he been so positive and said so many good words about a "rookie". There's always the possibility that I might leave, it doesn't depend on me but they can't keep me a prisoner here either. Anything is possible, even going to another NBA team. The thought of giving up so soon makes me even more stubborn and willing to try but my main concern is feeling good with myself wherever I am, even if I was on the Moon. I don't want to violate my own values, especially since I feel I was deceived. It doesn't make me feel good.

    I don't regret coming to the NBA. I wouldn't be Vasilis if I hadn't come. I would have it as a repressed desire for the rest of my life. I'm proud to be in the NBA. Now I know how it is. I came and saw it from the inside. In the future I'll be able to judge situations better now that I know first-hand what playing in the NBA means for a player. They say to me that things would be better if I was here in the summer and worked with the team but that was impossible since we had the World Cup.


    I talk often with Panathinaikos people. They call me to learn how I'm doing, to wish me on holidays, that kind of stuff. We are connected by love and there isn't the slightest difference between us. Panathinaikos respected my decision to go to the NBA and didn't try to stop me, so they'll be my first choice if I ever come back. I don't think this will happen now though, in the middle of the year. The GM wouldn't want to lose face by letting me go only after 4 months.

    I never had so much free time to improve my game. I'm spending all my time on the court, so don't worry about the national team, you'll see a Spanoulis who will be even better than last year. I'm working on aspects of the game I wasn't good enough and I'm in the mood for even more work and improvement. I'm on a very good physical condition right now and emotionally I don't have any problems. At this point in my life, only basketball interests me. I don't have any confidence problems. Quite the opposite. I'm just being patient until the better days come.

    I'm an egoist and a stubborn person and I'll fight to the end for any chance I can get. If I was in a different team, I could even have been "rookie of the year". So it's a matter of luck and coincidence as well. It's not right to give up on your ambitions so easily. Even the greatest players in history had difficult moments in their careers."</div>
    ^^^^^^^I somewhat agree with his disappointment. JVG doesn't use all his offensive weapons. His rotations are too short, and he relies too heavily on his defense to win games. Obcourse Spanoulis hasn't played well, but he should atleast have a shot of regaining his confidence. Instead, JVG has decided not to play him at all. Spanoulis is alot like Ginobli on the Spurs. The difference is Popovich gave Ginobli room for mistakes. JVG doesn't allow any freedom in his offense. The funny part is Spanoulis is a better defender than Skip and John Lucus Jr. Why doesn't JVG give his rookies a chance to play? Even if it's for a little span. Jus imagine if Popovich decided not to play Parker or Ginobli their rookie seasons? We won't ever know how talented Spanoulis can be if he doesn't touch the court. Our coach isn't very open minded.....
     
  18. Blurr#7

    Blurr#7 JBB JustBBall Member

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    ^^^^^ Exactly this is what I'm talking about!! JVG expects a guy to come off the pine and not miss a shot or make a mistake..ridiculous!! I'm happy about one thing Spanoulis is very competitive, and has desire. And speaking of the Spurs how about Udrich? That guy has developed well under Pops.
     
  19. David J

    David J JBB JustBBall Member

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    JVG is a good coach but a times he makes bad decisions he is human. i think since mcgrady and yao are out bonzi and battier should be the leading scorers but jvg dont like bonzi
     
  20. Blurr#7

    Blurr#7 JBB JustBBall Member

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    WOW....fox 26 asked JVG about this article and Vspan's frustration and he said " I feel bad for him, because he was misled and in a lot of ways he is his own worst enemy" What the hell kinda response is that??? And what does that mean??
     

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