Stein: Van Gundy worried? Well, he always looks that way

I think it is a bad thing that the Rockets hired an average to (at best) slightly above average coach.

 

Because the Phil Jackson in LA thing is working out so well. The Lakers are only last in their division right now and have had a much easier schedule than the Rockets have had thus far, and haven't had to go without their best player during the toughest stretch of the season.

Coaching is overrated.

 

The Rockets, on the other hand are last in their Conference, and tonight pretty decisively put the "things will be fine when McGrady is back" excuse to sleep.

There is no excuse other than coaching and player-personnel for the disaster on the floor against the Grizzlies.

 

I missed the Grizz game last night so I didn't get a chance to see the condition of McGrady. But the past two games with McGrady playing don't really seem to indicate that he's at 100%. 8 Turnovers against the Hawks? That's not very McGrady-ish. 12 points on 5-15 shooting? Again that's not very McGrady-ish. He's still our best player, and the Rockets will only go as far as he and Yao can take them. That's the simple truth. If the Rockets still look as malaise as they currently do now by the time the All-star break comes then I'll start agreeing with you. Until then, I'll resists any urges to overreact as you are doing now.

I will agree that JVG does deserve some of the criticism he's receiving, but you'd be a fool to think Phil Jackson could manage the Rockets current situation any better.

 

Yet, Phil has had a healthy Bryant and Odom. Isn't he supposed to be the "greatest coach of all time"? Guess it really is all about the players.

 

D'Antoni is missing Amare Stoudamire, yet the Suns (predicted to struggle to stay .500) are a game out, riding a five game winning streak, and are six games ahead of the Rockets. Guess coaching (particularly the ability to adjust) counts for something.

 

This article seems to be filled with a bunch of excuses for, ironically, the guy who showed up spouting the line "No Excuses". Injuries are irrelevant, remember? That's what we were told when he came in. The Rockets could have made the playoffs in the Francis era if not for injuries - JVG tells us too bad, NO EXCUSES. Does he only 'tell it like it is' when it's convenient?