Jeff Gundy
Jeff Gundy
certainly dependent effort forth great hard mediocre passion though willing win work
Even though we have a mediocre record, you don't have to be a mediocre player. It's all dependent on how hard you're willing to work to win and how much you want to put into it. You may not always win, but you can certainly put forth great effort and play with passion and discipline.
disagree hard hate lighter steve weight worked
I don't think it's a fact, actually, ... I think he's the same weight that he has been, and the lighter for him has been the better. When he's been able to keep his weight about 305 (pounds), I think he's better served. But he has worked hard to be stronger. I hate to disagree with Steve once again, but so be it.
becoming blessed difficult drive easier except good great internal player roads size worked
Yao is not blessed with anything except God-given size and great parents. Everything else has been worked for basketball-wise. There's a lot easier roads to becoming a really, really good player in this league. He had a difficult road, and he made it through his own internal drive to be great.
both decided fond great guys hope hurts injuries interested opportunity pick point rockets stay talked though together works
I talked to him about (that) we need to pick up a point guard, and also he had an opportunity out there to go and I think play for Denver. We talked about it. I think he decided it was not something he was interested in doing. We told him we were going to waive him. He decided I think to retire. I hope something works out to where he can stay in the Rockets organization. He's a great guy. Even though we were only together for a little more than a year, I was as fond of him and (Bob) Sura as any two guys I've ever coached. Personally, it hurts a lot that both had injuries that impacted them and us.
averages few game guy half instead looking minutes natural negatives people perceived period positives spent time totally whatever work
He's going through that natural period where people want to nitpick the very few negatives he may have instead of extolling all his positives, ... And in a little over 31 minutes a game he averages 18 and 8. He comes to work every day. He's totally selfless. Yet some want to badger the guy about whatever perceived shortcomings he has. I find that unfortunate because if they spent half the time looking at all his positives it would be a much better story.
best center few guys hard outside plays prepared question surprised works
I'm not surprised when (Yao) plays well. He is prepared every day. He works hard every day. He's one of the few guys who doesn't need outside motivation. He is without question the best regular-season center in basketball.
care good incentive league lose needs perceived pick rather served step taken trying win work
The league needs to step in and take away any perceived incentive to lose. But also, I don't think you do yourself any good trying to pick who you'll play. Sometimes, you try to set yourself up for something that may not work out. But I think that just the idea that you could be better served to lose rather than win probably needs to be taken care of.
bad both component gets great hang huge mentally moments players resilience separates shown strength strongest tough weather
When it gets tough right now, we're not the mentally strongest team, and that's at both ends. We just have to be able to weather some bad moments without caving in. We could have shown more resilience to hang around. That's what separates players in this league: mental strength. Mental strength is a huge component to how great you can be.
bereft carve energy good guys job starters trying
The starters did a good job to start the game. The bench, inexplicably, is bereft of energy and intensity, and we have all young guys who are trying to carve out a career. I don't get it.
cleaner far game played
There will be things we'll have to correct. I thought we played a cleaner game as far as being efficient. We're just struggling.
last quarter selection shot
Our shot selection in the last quarter was not good.
belief developed game goes practice sacramento season since
We have enough players, and we've developed a game. Most of it goes to the belief. It's been that way since the practice after the Sacramento game (the Nov. 2 season opener) that he's been in and out so much.
best came conclusion evaluate knew team time together trading
Because I knew we were trading for Keith, I thought it was the right time to get together and evaluate where we were going. We came to the conclusion that it would be best if we try to find another team for (Anderson).
deserve improve
The things we need to improve on are glaring. We are where we deserve to be.