Phil Jackson anyone? While he's on the block....we can't miss this opportunity..Basketball isn't supposed to be as complicated as van gundy's overly complicated defense style and unsuccessful offense. With all his overly detailed defense, I bet that's the reason why we can't find any rhythm and consistency on the offensive end. HEck our defense isn't even that good. Phil Jackson has a better record..has a head full of hair, has a book out, and most importantly a successful triangle offense for the big man yao. He has the rings to prove it. I don't think van gundy is that bad but I just know we won't over-achieve with this conservative coach. I don't want houston to be under-achievers. We better make some action real soon or else we'll miss phil jackson like we missed larry brown. We can't blame the scrubs all the time..van gundy has to realise their limited abilities and not give them so many responsibilities that they can't do...charlie ward should retire if he continues scrubbing
I don't think we should start firing Van Gundy just yet. He is a great coach and actually did a better job than Rudy T did, IMO. Although his defensive schemes leave us low-scoring, you have to keep in mind that it is those very same schemes that keep us among the top of the league in defensive statistics. The reaseon for our current failure would be more of the fact that we lack chemistry rather than the coach's deficiencies. Besides, I think the triangle would benefit McGrady more than Yao. Van Gundy has successfully worked with big men as well and I still think we should stand by him as our coach.
I wouldn't want PJ right now. As critcal as I am of the Rockets (I even stopped posting here for a few days, to show my protest) I dont think we should jump to conclusions right now. I mean, why would fire JVG, when the obvious problem is the Rockets management for giving Charlie Ward a 3 year deal. They call this guy a vet, but seriously, Calvin Murphy could play better for the Rockets, in his current condition! Our 'role players' have lost, in my eyes, 3 games. JJ against the Wolves. Lue against the Lakers, Ward against the Bulls. Also, their inability to hit the open shot has killed us. I think we need a pure shooter, like Radmonivic or Barry, two options we have/had. I think JJ can play the point, trade for a good spot up shooter that can CONSISTENTLY hit the 3. Everyone is saying, wait till Sura is back, but will he play the starting point guard? I still don't know if he's as good as people want him to be. I'm not sure he'll make the difference we're all hoping for.. Just my 2 cents.
There's one problem...Phil has been coaching the triangle now for 14 years or so...and I don't know how great of an idea it would be to try and apply it to the Rockets at this point. Plus, the mastermind behind the triangle is actually Tex Winter...and if he doesn't show up with Phil, then there may be problems. The Rockets will pull it together. They should...and if not, there's no need to worry just yet. McGrady is a different player than Francis...so give Yao some time to adjust, and McGrady some time also...
Realistically, we shouldn't have expected this team to be a contender right away. By bringing McGrady in, we've basically got the core of our future team in place. But there's lots of holes still, and we may not achieve playoff success this year. Both our main guys are young, and I think there's a bright future. We just have to be patient. I have my problems with JVG's system. Even last year I was complaining about it. But talking about replacing him at this point is really premature.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting durvasa:</div><div class="quote_post">Realistically, we shouldn't have expected this team to be a contender right away. By bringing McGrady in, we've basically got the core of our future team in place. But there's lots of holes still, and we may not achieve playoff success this year. Both our main guys are young, and I think there's a bright future. We just have to be patient. I have my problems with JVG's system. Even last year I was complaining about it. But talking about replacing him at this point is really premature.</div> Yeah man it's too premature to talk abt replacing Charlie Ward too since he's still got 3 years in his contract...that was one of the most dumbest decision deals that jvg made
Phil Jackson? Perhaps we could go there if this season doesn't take a turn for the better by the time it's all over. I, however, have another PJ in mind. PJ BROWN! The hornets are horrible and might be willing to move someone or maybe a couple of players. Juwan Howard for PJ Brown could be the core of a deal. PJ is the perfect complement to Yao on both ends of the court. I got excited when I saw this thread title
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting drm2dnk:</div><div class="quote_post">Yeah man it's too premature to talk abt replacing Charlie Ward too since he's still got 3 years in his contract...that was one of the most dumbest decision deals that jvg made</div> Van Gundy was not the guy that offered Ward that three-year contract. As someone has already stated, it was Carroll Dawson, our GM, who made that decision to sign him for that long. Although JVG must have had some influence in this matter, it is not totally his fault that we gave Ward too long a contract. When I saw this thread title, I'd thought too that PJ Brown was the subject at hand. You can imagine how I felt when this turned out to be just another "Fire Van Gundy" comment. Brown is a Kelvin Cato-type player who is a better rebounder and comes with a jumpshot. He also has a few years left in him and it would be great if we could get him. The Hornets right now lack a scorer at the small forward position, so maybe we could try to deal Nachbar and Weatherspoon for Brown?
I don't know if that contracts match up, but like Trip said, Nachbar and Weatherspoon for PJ Brown would be a pretty nice trade. I mean, Nachbar has shown some potential with those somewhat consistent 3's and Weatherspoon is a great defender, so maybe the Hornets will do it? I dunno. However, right now we direly need some inside post presence to grab the rebounds and do dirty work like Cato did last year. PJ Brown sounds to me like a great man for the job.
How old is PJ Brown? Since I am full of ideas , I thought this trade could help both teams heavily -- and no, I'm not gonna give up on Radmonivic. Houston trades: SG Bostjan Nachbar (4.4 ppg, 2.5 rpg, 0.6 apg in 17.3 minutes) PF Juwan Howard (8.6 ppg, 4.1 rpg, 0.7 apg in 20.7 minutes) Houston receives: C Jerome James (3.3 ppg, 2.3 rpg, 0.1 apg in 16.8 minutes) PF Vladimir Radmanovic (12.2 ppg, 4.0 rpg, 1.7 apg in 28.7 minutes) Change in team outlook: +2.5 ppg, -0.3 rpg, and +0.5 apg. Seattle trades: C Jerome James (3.3 ppg, 2.3 rpg, 0.1 apg in 16.8 minutes) PF Vladimir Radmanovic (12.2 ppg, 4.0 rpg, 1.7 apg in 28.7 minutes) Seattle receives: SG Bostjan Nachbar (4.4 ppg, 2.5 rpg, 0.6 apg in 17.3 minutes) PF Juwan Howard (8.6 ppg, 4.1 rpg, 0.7 apg in 20.7 minutes) Change in team outlook: -2.5 ppg, +0.3 rpg, and -0.5 apg. <u>TRADE ACCEPTED</u> Due to Houston and Seattle being over the cap, the 15% trade rule is invoked. Houston and Seattle had to be no more than 115% plus $100,000 of the salary given out for the trade to be accepted, which did happen here. This trade satisfies the provisions of the Collective Bargaining Agreement We can play Vlad at the 3, move JJ to the point, IMO. JJ doesn't really turn the ball over, and he can hit the open jumper -- something Charlie Ward can't seem to do.. Seattle gets a real PF, great starting material, and a Euro, potential filled :mrgreen: bench player. Just my 2 cents.
That trade would never happen. The Sonics don't need Nachbar...Ray Allen plays 48 minutes a game as it is. And...Seattle lacks bigs in the frontcourt...so they wouldn't trade away two of them for a SF/PF that's at the end of his rope, and a guard.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting AznxBaller:</div><div class="quote_post">I don't know if that contracts match up, but like Trip said, Nachbar and Weatherspoon for PJ Brown would be a pretty nice trade. I mean, Nachbar has shown some potential with those somewhat consistent 3's and Weatherspoon is a great defender, so maybe the Hornets will do it? I dunno. However, right now we direly need some inside post presence to grab the rebounds and do dirty work like Cato did last year. PJ Brown sounds to me like a great man for the job.</div> I don't like that trade. Then we'd have Mo taylor, Juwon Howard, AND PJ Brown. That wouldn't work at all.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting durvasa:</div><div class="quote_post">I don't like that trade. Then we'd have Mo taylor, Juwon Howard, AND PJ Brown. That wouldn't work at all.</div> So what if we have three starter-caliber guys? Brown can start alongside Yao, and Taylor and Howard can fight for the backup spot. IMO, the worst it would result to is us trading one of them away. The extra competition could actually motivate them to play defense and step up their games. It doesn't hurt our record to have three guys at power forward.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Trip:</div><div class="quote_post">So what if we have three starter-caliber guys? Brown can start alongside Yao, and Taylor and Howard can fight for the backup spot. IMO, the worst it would result to is us trading one of them away. The extra competition could actually motivate them to play defense and step up their games. It doesn't hurt our record to have three guys at power forward.</div> The effect of that trade would be we'd lose 3 players for 1. We'd lose Nachbar, Weatherspoon, and either Taylor or Howard, just to get PJ Brown. It's not worth it.
If we do get Brown and trade one of Taylor or Howard, we'd still get someone for the guy we trade. I personally don't see why we shouldn't want PJ Brown. And besides, this is just all hypothetical anyways. Who even said PJ Brown was on the block?
As far as Phil Jackson, he's already stated that he will not be accepting any offers THIS season...it was reported on hoopshype.com, I believe... As far as PJ Brown, power forward is not the position where our problem lies...It is point guard and a backup wing/guard spot...The point guard problem I am convinced will be solved when Sura returns, but as far as the backup guard/wing spot, I'm not sure...I'm not too comfortable with Boki as a backup to TMac/Jax altho he has played well...
Here's an idea... Juwan Howard - $31,960,500 Bostjan Nachbar - $1,493,880 Tyronn Lue - $1,650,000 TOTAL SALARY: $35,104,380 FOR PJ Brown - $24,000,000 George Lynch - $6,200,000 Darrell Armstrong - $3,250,000 TOTAL SALARY: $33,450,000 The salaries are within less than 5% so that's not a problem. New Orleans would benefit from gaining scoring punch at the PF while getting about 4 years younger, from Nochbar's potential and youth at the SF, and from a quick, high energy, and youthful backup at PG in Lue. Not to mention that New Orleans looks destined for a rebuilding stage, where they could benefit from the fact that Lue and Nochbar's contracts do not extend past the end of the season. I honestly think they would benefit from some new faces, because that team is not winning and the roster has been stale for a while now. Houston benefits by picking up a defensive, rebounding, banger and enforcer in PJ Brown which is just what the doctor ordered to play along side Yao. Plus, that gives them far more versatility at the PF spot since Brown and Taylor bring much different playing styles to the table. Yes we get older, but it's sacrifice to get what we need. Also we get a solid backup for Jim Jackson at the SF in Lynch. He's a veteran who can knock down the open jumper (45% for his career) while taking care of the ball and sticking to his assignment, as well as being a quality defender. To top it all off, we pick up Darrell Armstrong who even at his age is a perfect backup for Sura at 10ppg/4apg/4rpg and just as importantly is defensive-minded while keeping personal fouls to a minimum. So in the end the Rockets would sacrifice some youth for smarter, more seasoned and more defensive-minded Van Gundy type players. If he's not going to change his game plan then he'll have to bring in players like this. We won't be stuck with old players however, since Armstrong's contract expires at the end of this season and Lynch's is done after next season. Personally I would love this. Your thoughts?
