I mean that finals was a weird year, we wound up an 8 seed in a shortened season got all the way to the finals b/c our rotation was deep as shit and the league was sort of in a lull after the Jordan retirement...A lot of things going on that year. Pretty sure two teams, the Spurs and the Jazz actually practiced during the lockout, and no other teams did, which is why those two teams were so dominant that year.
I love JVG as a coach too, I wish he would come back (I think he has said he will not), and I wasn't referencing you particularly but I have heard the argument "D'Antoni hasn't won a championship - proof his system doesn't work and he is a bad coach" which I have always said is misplaced (even citing JVG as an example).
No, I understand. By bringing up JVG I was trying to show that I also subscribe to theory that just because you haven't won a ring, doesn't mean you're a bad coach (or player for that matter).
My only point is that D'Antoni is a bad coach because his system is flawed. Any systems that completely preaches offense and very little defense will not win rings. It has short term benefits, such as winning games, but lacks the long term longevity that an all-around team can bring.
If you are number one in offense all year round, and last in defense, logic stands to follow that you are going to end up in the middle of the pack, not near the top.
Note, I'm not saying the Knicks are the worst defensive team in the league, but I am saying that you need both offense and defense to win rings. The fact that D'Antoni's teams never made it to the finals, is evidence that even with incredible talent, his philosophy is flawed. It is exciting basketball, but flawed nonetheless.
There is a reason why the Lakers have won 5 of the last 6. Strong interior presence, great all around team defense, and magnificent offense. It is why the Celts are contenders each year. Excellent defense. Sure they have great talent in their big three (now big 4), but if it weren't for their defense, they wouldn't be there each year.
D'Antoni had the best all around point guard, in my mind, to ever play pro bball; as dominant a power forward as you are likely to see; great role playing talent; and still couldn't seal the deal. Why? Because his team didn't preach defense.
It would have been one thing if they could have pushed 7 games in the NBA Finals, but, if I remember correctly, they couldn't even get past game 6 in the Western Conference Finals.
