Questions Raised About Van Gundy 's Houston Fit

The Rockets' statistics reflect the Jeff Van Gundy style, not at all the quality of their talent. They are 29th in scoring, 28th in rebounding, 27th in steals and 23rd in blocks even with Yao. Their field-goal attempts are 26th most, and they are 29th in free throws, showing a lack of penetration to the basket.

Tracy McGrady led the league in scoring during the last two seasons with a combined average of more than 30 points per game, but he has had only two games this season over 25 points. Yao, averaging 17.8, has been in single digits five times this season, twice in the last two games against teams without dominating centers.

"My game right now, I'm hesitant on the offensive end and I can't get into a rhythm," McGrady said after Saturday's loss to the Jazz. "I really don't feel in sync on the court. I can't get into the flow at all. I don't know what it is."

Sam Smith of the Chicago Tribune suggests that the problem is Jeff Van Gundy.

McGrady needs to get easy baskets in transition to open up his perimeter game. Improved rebounding would help. Yao is one of the league's best running centers, but he's walking into the defense too much.

"Neither of those guys has played like we need them to play to win down the stretch," Van Gundy said last week.

The style Van Gundy favors wears out players. The Rockets aren't great, but they have too much talent to allow lesser teams to stay in the game with limited possessions.

"Do we have enough personality? Do we have enough fight?" Van Gundy asked. "Every team follows a certain personality. Who are we following? I'm not sure. The coach should have a group playing with energy and passion, and obviously I don't have that right now. Certainly if the results don't change, we'll need to change either who plays or who's here."

Via Chicago Tribune

Houston Rockets

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Anthony Sprains Ankle In Win Over Rockets

The Denver Nuggets paid a heavy price for their win on the road over the Houston Rockets Saturday, losing star forward Carmello Anthony with a sprained ankle during the third quarter.

Chris Tomasson of the Rocky Mountain News writes that with 2 minutes, 21 seconds remaining in the period and the Nuggets leading 62-48, Anthony was wrapped up by Rockets guard Bob Sura to prevent an easy basket. Anthony crumbled to the floor, and had to be helped to the locker room.

X-rays on Anthony were negative, but he left the arena on crutches. He first said he would miss Monday's home game against New Orleans, but later said there's a "50-50 chance" he'll play.

"I just remember him grabbing me and I fell and stepped on his ankle," Anthony said. "There was a little soreness in it (due to stepping on Bruce Bowen's foot in Friday's 89-75 loss to San Antonio)".

Sura didn't feel the foul was excessive. But Anthony did.

"The way he grabbed me and, yeah, and he just threw me down," Anthony said. "I was in pain."

Via Rocky Mountain News

Denver Nuggets, Houston Rockets

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Rockets May Make Changes

Look for the Houston Rockets to start making changes if things do not improve quickly, with coach Jeff Van Gundy unhappy with his team's start and their inability to mesh on the court.

"Certainly if the results don't change, we'll need to change either who plays or who's here," Van Gundy said. "Because one thing you don't want to get used to is mediocrity."

"To break the cycle of mediocrity that our organization has been in is a challenge for all of us from (owner) Leslie (Alexander) on down," Van Gundy said. "And the one thing I love about him is he has an urgent desire to win. And he doesn't have any patience with mediocrity. And I think our team needs to reflect that. And I don't think we do, yet."

Via Houston Chronicle

Houston Rockets

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