All Eyes on Wells

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Shapecity:</div><div class="quote_post">With the season down to its final two weeks, Bonzi Wells said Wednesday that time is running out on his chances to help in the postseason. Wells has been inactive for the past 18 games, and Rockets coach Jeff Van Gundy indicated that no changes are planned.

"If I'll be active (in the playoffs), I'd rather be active now so I can get my rhythm together and start playing," Wells said. "It's tough to jump into the playoffs and be right where you need to be. Hopefully coach will call my number. If not, I'll be a really big cheerleader.

"I just come in and do my job, do my work and hopefully, he'll give me the OK. I love to play, but we're winning, and I'm all about the team. Hopefully we'll continue to win, and I'll try not to be a distraction."

Van Gundy said Wells has not been a distraction or caused other problems.

"He's done fine," Van Gundy said. "It's not an attitude issue. I'll let everybody know if I'm changing my mind. I've changed it back and forth throughout the year."

Wells agreed that on the limited role, he and Van Gundy agree. "We're on the same page," Wells said. "Coach, he likes to play a short rotation. He's got his guys that have been playing all year and have been healthy. ... Coach is an excellent coach. He knows what he's doing. Hopefully, it brings a championship."</div>
You still think Rock4life's bashing JVG? Well unfortunatley I've been exactly correct on my assessments. JVG's holding silly grudges at the expense of the team's chance to win a ring. Certain ppl in here wanna blame "Bonzi's attitude" on him on being activated, but we now know that's not even the case. When does this foolishness stop? "I'll let everybody know when I'm changing my mind", what kinda bullsh*t is that. If thats the case, why wasn't he activated when Luther got hurt? Our cnance at winning big with this team will not be under JVG.

 

So what coach do you want to replace Van Gundy with?

 

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Rock4life:</div><div class="quote_post">Certain ppl in here wanna blame "Bonzi's attitude" on him on being activated</div>

Who's that? Bonzi's attitude was an issue at the beginning of the season. But to his credit he's been saying all the right things since December.

I think Bonzi should have been activated and (with McGrady leaving the game) he should have played against Golden State. That was a clear cut situation where Bonzi would have helped us, since we were getting nothing out of Yao and no one else could create a basket.

Bonzi needs to be made available for the playoffs. I'm not saying he has to be added to the regular rotation, but we needs to at least be available as an option. He's too good not to be.

 

<div class="quote_poster">Chutney Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">So what coach do you want to replace Van Gundy with?</div>
Larry Brown or Rick Adelman

 

<div class="quote_poster">Rock4life Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Larry Brown or Rick Adelman</div>

Hell no to Larry Brown. I hate him.

 

Yea, I don't know if Brown is much of an upgrade. He's more rigid than Van Gundy and after that debacle in NY you don't know how many players he'll alienate. Adelman's a great coach, but he focuses primarily on offense and I think that he runs kind of opposite to how your roster is made up. Plus his coaching in the playoffs is kind of questionable. Honestly, I think this might be a "grass is greener on the other side" kind of situation. There's no doubt Van Gundy's not perfect, but he's better than the majority of the coaches in this league. This year's playoffs should provide a much better oppurtunity to evaluate him, because the players are healthy, more talented than ever, and suited to his system.

 

I hope Bonzi can be active and play tonight game and t-mac get a rest we don't want to make worse the back problems

 

<div class="quote_poster">Chutney Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Yea, I don't know if Brown is much of an upgrade. He's more rigid than Van Gundy and after that debacle in NY you don't know how many players he'll alienate. Adelman's a great coach, but he focuses primarily on offense and I think that he runs kind of opposite to how your roster is made up. Plus his coaching in the playoffs is kind of questionable. Honestly, I think this might be a "grass is greener on the other side" kind of situation. There's no doubt Van Gundy's not perfect, but he's better than the majority of the coaches in this league. This year's playoffs should provide a much better oppurtunity to evaluate him, because the players are healthy, more talented than ever, and suited to his system.</div>
Larry Brown not a upgrade over JVG? You can't be serious Larry Brown is 10x the coach JVG is. The only thing JVG might have over LB is defense, but even that's debatable. Larry Brown is a teacher, and able to get the most outta his players. He's able to motivate and at the same time deal with players ego's. Rasheed Wallace won a championship under Brown, but he wouldn't see the LIGHT OF DAY on a JVG team. There lies the difference. JVG doesn't have half the basketball knowledge LB does. Plus, Larry's a better coach of Yao.

 

<div class="quote_poster">Rock4life Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Larry Brown not a upgrade over JVG? You can't be serious Larry Brown is 10x the coach JVG is. The only thing JVG might have over LB is defense, but even that's debatable. Larry Brown is a teacher, and able to get the most outta his players. He's able to motivate and at the same time deal with players ego's. Rasheed Wallace won a championship under Brown, but he wouldn't see the LIGHT OF DAY on a JVG team. There lies the difference. JVG doesn't have half the basketball knowledge LB does. Plus, Larry's a better coach of Yao.</div>
I don't know, I think you're taking a huge risk if you bring in Larry Brown. In terms of strictly coaching ability, he's better than Van Gundy. But, his relationship with players is always questionable. Even though he handled Rasheed pretty well, there's so many more players that he alienated with every team he went to (NY in particular). And then you really don't know how long you're going to have him for. If you were to replace Van Gundy (and I still think you need the playoffs to make a fair assessment), I think Rick Carlisle would be a good candidate.

 

I don't think Rock would like Rick Carlisle neither; his coaching philosophy is pretty similar to that of Van Gundy's and Rock wants the Rockets to be a running team.

The thing is, Rock, besides Bonzi who else has JVG alienated? Anyone else worth even talking about? You can bring up Mo Taylor but it's not as if the team missed him terribly. Francis clashed with him at times but Francis was mostly supportive of Van Gundy. Who else?

 

<div class="quote_poster">Chutney Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">I don't know, I think you're taking a huge risk if you bring in Larry Brown. In terms of strictly coaching ability, he's better than Van Gundy. But, his relationship with players is always questionable. Even though he handled Rasheed pretty well, there's so many more players that he alienated with every team he went to (NY in particular). And then you really don't know how long you're going to have him for. If you were to replace Van Gundy (and I still think you need the playoffs to make a fair assessment), I think Rick Carlisle would be a good candidate.</div>
How can you ever question Larry Brown? The only time he really did a "bad" job was in NY, and that situation has been a disaster before Larry Brown got there. Larry Brown has turned around teams WAY worse than the Rockets are right now and made them legit contenders. Ur talking about a coach who's dealt with a Iverson, IVERSON! We already have a young nucleus and a few very solid role players. All we need is a coach that can push the right buttons (w/ championship credibility). Rick Carlisle is kinda like JVG in a way. I'd much rather have a coach with considerable experience.......

 

Well there are a lot of questions surrounding him. Any team bringing him in has to wonder about how many players he'll alienate, how he'll handle the rookies/young players, how his relationship with the GM will be, and how long he'll stay. The potential benefits are great because he can lead your team to a championship, but there's so many risks around him. You might have to remake your roster and your window of opportunity may only be a few seasons. Not to mention that he draws a lot of media attention (good and bad) that might be distracting for the players. I would only make that move when you're absolutely certain that Van Gundy cannot lead the team to post-season success (I know you are already, but I think you need to watch the team in the playoffs to know for certain).

 

<div class="quote_poster">Chutney Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Well there are a lot of questions surrounding him. Any team bringing him in has to wonder about how many players he'll alienate, how he'll handle the rookies/young players, how his relationship with the GM will be, and how long he'll stay. The potential benefits are great because he can lead your team to a championship, but there's so many risks around him. You might have to remake your roster and your window of opportunity may only be a few seasons. Not to mention that he draws a lot of media attention (good and bad) that might be distracting for the players. I would only make that move when you're absolutely certain that Van Gundy cannot lead the team to post-season success (I know you are already, but I think you need to watch the team in the playoffs to know for certain).</div>

I agree with Chutney about Larry Brown. Don't forget about the U.S. Olympic team as well. Larry Brown isnt exactly a loveable coach, but I have not heard many players say bad things about JVG however. He seems to be well-liked and well-respected from players. Most of the flak he gets are mainly from fans.

Larry Brown loves to also blame the players too, whether its their fault or not.

 

<div class="quote_poster">Chutney Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Well there are a lot of questions surrounding him. Any team bringing him in has to wonder about how many players he'll alienate, how he'll handle the rookies/young players, how his relationship with the GM will be, and how long he'll stay. The potential benefits are great because he can lead your team to a championship, but there's so many risks around him. You might have to remake your roster and your window of opportunity may only be a few seasons. Not to mention that he draws a lot of media attention (good and bad) that might be distracting for the players. I would only make that move when you're absolutely certain that Van Gundy cannot lead the team to post-season success (I know you are already, but I think you need to watch the team in the playoffs to know for certain).</div>
U don't get it. At this point we're only looking for RESULTS. Results means at the minimum championship contenders. If we don't make it outta the 1st round this year, everything we've done this year is a failure. All of which is gonna mainly fall on JVG's shoulders. Only certain coaches can get you instant results, and Larry Brown is one of them. Did LB have problems in New York? Obcourse. But this situation is TOTALLY different than that one. The Rockets are a few players and great coach away from being a serious contender. If the Rockets are serious about winning "now", they'd seriously pursue LB after the season. JVG is a good coach, but is tad bit overrated.

<div class="quote_poster">Locke Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">I don't think Rock would like Rick Carlisle neither; his coaching philosophy is pretty similar to that of Van Gundy's and Rock wants the Rockets to be a running team.

The thing is, Rock, besides Bonzi who else has JVG alienated? Anyone else worth even talking about? You can bring up Mo Taylor but it's not as if the team missed him terribly. Francis clashed with him at times but Francis was mostly supportive of Van Gundy. Who else?</div>
He's alienated Bonzi, Derek Anderson, Stromile & Spanoulis. All of whom were supposed to get minutes in the system. Granted, Stro really didn't give us much. But I really didn't see JVG even attempt to get him acclamated to the system. Generally when players are new to the team, you tweak the offense. But JVG doesn't believe in that.

 

<div class="quote_poster">Rock4life Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">U don't get it. At this point we're only looking for RESULTS. Results means at the minimum championship contenders. If we don't make it outta the 1st round this year, everything we've done this year is a failure. All of which is gonna mainly fall on JVG's shoulders. Only certain coaches can get you instant results, and Larry Brown is one of them. Did LB have problems in New York? Obcourse. But this situation is TOTALLY different than that one. The Rockets are a few players and great coach away from being a serious contender. If the Rockets are serious about winning "now", they'd seriously pursue LB after the season. JVG is a good coach, but is tad bit overrated.


He's alienated Bonzi, Derek Anderson, Stromile & Spanoulis. All of whom were supposed to get minutes in the system. Granted, Stro really didn't give us much. But I really didn't see JVG even attempt to get him acclamated to the system. Generally when players are new to the team, you tweak the offense. But JVG doesn't believe in that.</div>
Oh for sure Anderson and Swift got minutes. They just didn't produce enough to warrant more minutes. Stro, especially, played with no effort on the court. He does play better in an open-court system but this isn't a high-flying superstar we're talking about here. He's a role player on any team at best. Spanoulis is a rookie and on a team as deep as ours right now, you can't really justify giving him any major minutes.

Technically, Bonzi started the whole thing by having a lacksidasial attitude to start the season.

 

<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Bonzi needs to be made available for the playoffs. I'm not saying he has to be added to the regular rotation, but we needs to at least be available as an option. He's too good not to be.
</div>

I agree....he looked terrible last night, but we all know that the guy can be talented if he wants to, I think leaving him off the playoff roster would be a huge mistake....somehow I see this mistake happening (especially after last nights performance), JVG doesn't show a lot of patience with players, especially players who have given him problems.