1. Welcome! Please take a few seconds to create your free account to post threads, make some friends, remove a few ads while surfing and much more. ClutchFans has been bringing fans together to talk Houston Sports since 1996. Join us!

Francis' playmaking abilities????

Discussion in 'Houston Rockets: Game Action & Roster Moves' started by Dcab, Oct 24, 2002.

  1. Dcab

    Dcab Contributing Member

    Joined:
    Sep 30, 1999
    Messages:
    111
    Likes Received:
    0
    What is your take on Francis' playmaking abilities? I don't know if this subject is already discussed but would be interested to know if he is a true point guard or would flourish more being a shooting guard like Iverson or Jordan.

    It seems like he dribble too much to free himself for ISO and pass the ball only if that option is not available.

    What do you think?

    Don't get me wrong, I think Francis is a great player but I also think he is playing out of position. Not?

    I would defer myself now to the experts on this board.
     
  2. Woofer

    Woofer Contributing Member

    Joined:
    Oct 10, 2000
    Messages:
    3,995
    Likes Received:
    1
    We've had this discussion since his first season. He's not a true point guard. He'll never be an assist guy like Kidd, Stockton, Bibby, Magic, Andre Miller, Payton, Davis, Marbury. If we're lucky he'll get almost as good as Moochie is. :)
     
  3. zilches

    zilches Member

    Joined:
    Jul 28, 2002
    Messages:
    1,228
    Likes Received:
    6
    Even the Sixer's announcers, while complimenting Francis, commented on his unwillingness (inablity?) to distribute the ball.
     
  4. Dcab

    Dcab Contributing Member

    Joined:
    Sep 30, 1999
    Messages:
    111
    Likes Received:
    0
    Thanks, Woofer

    It just get frustrating sometimes like today's game although pre-season to resort to the old ISO option after wasting too much time dribbling instead of the much advertised five man offense.

    Anyway, if this is old news then I will go back to my favorite pastime.... lurking
     
  5. RocksMillenium

    RocksMillenium Contributing Member

    Joined:
    Dec 28, 2000
    Messages:
    10,018
    Likes Received:
    507
    Like I said in the chat, this is Francis only bad passing game this preseason. The rest of the time, not only was he passing the ball, he was putting up double-digit assists. The guy is fine at the PG spot. It's more of a case of ball movement throughtout the entire team then it is Francis.
     
  6. Rocketability

    Rocketability Member

    Joined:
    Oct 5, 1999
    Messages:
    1,366
    Likes Received:
    1
    I'm no expert but here's what I think ...

    It's hard to tell whether it is his playmaking ability or the offensive system that is to blame. I've noticed the over-dribbling by Steve and Cuttino, and I am thinking, "Oh! God! Please don't let the iso come back and haunt us." Tonight is a good example of the iso killing us.

    But wait ......

    We are testing different lineups and it is understandable that it's hard for the playmaker(s) to adjust with so many different players on the rotation. Plus, in the 4th quarter of the Philly game, I noticed that Rudy wanted to get Yao into the flow of the offense and that was when we turned the ball over and got out of sync.

    So is Francis a good or bad playmaker? i really don't know. IMHO, he is no Kidd or Stockton as far as passing skills are concerned, but he may be at the same level as Baron Davis'? :confused:

    I'll leave the question to the real experts. :D
     
  7. shuttle

    shuttle Member

    Joined:
    Jul 25, 2002
    Messages:
    260
    Likes Received:
    0
    I'm not a steve hater, but I thought this was interesting:

    "I'm playing with more confidence. I worked on my shooting a lot this summer. But with all this power we've got now, I think passing is something that's going to be very important. I've got to be getting the guys involved."
    ---Steve Francis
    http://espn.go.com/nba/camp2002/columns/stein_marc/1449785.html
    :)
     
  8. Dcab

    Dcab Contributing Member

    Joined:
    Sep 30, 1999
    Messages:
    111
    Likes Received:
    0
    So at this point it is too soon to know...okay.

    I think the addition of Yao Ming will determine either Francis will develop into a champion (a lot agrees he is already a great player) or Rudy's system is really flawed.

    Francis development, IMHO, is more important at this time than Yao Ming's improvement.

    As he is the pulse of the offense, his decision making abilities is very crucial. Unless of course, all plays are called by Rudy during the course of the game.
     
  9. AcBrave

    AcBrave Member

    Joined:
    Mar 27, 2002
    Messages:
    143
    Likes Received:
    0
    be honest, who else can he trust in this team offensively??(maybe yao will earn some respect soon). i mean, this team dont have ANY solid true shooters(except nachbar).
     
  10. moomoo

    moomoo Member

    Joined:
    Feb 13, 2002
    Messages:
    1,545
    Likes Received:
    1
    brace yourself!

    *fire in the hole!!*
     
  11. Dcab

    Dcab Contributing Member

    Joined:
    Sep 30, 1999
    Messages:
    111
    Likes Received:
    0
    Good point, AcBrave

    Nachbar sure looks natural out there, I am impressed with his performance.
     
  12. rockbox

    rockbox Around before clutchcity.com

    Joined:
    Jul 28, 2000
    Messages:
    21,569
    Likes Received:
    10,434
    I heard that Rice fellow is pretty good.
     
  13. OverRRated

    OverRRated Member

    Joined:
    Feb 17, 2002
    Messages:
    937
    Likes Received:
    0


    .......:rolleyes:
     
  14. Rocketability

    Rocketability Member

    Joined:
    Oct 5, 1999
    Messages:
    1,366
    Likes Received:
    1
    Huh? Are you serious with that comment? Boki has been all but impressive. I know he will get better, but what does your comment mean?

    Yup! Rice has been solid.
     
  15. timm

    timm Member

    Joined:
    Aug 19, 2001
    Messages:
    499
    Likes Received:
    1
    Amen Rocketability.

    I think Yao's been par versus expectations, but Boki is behind, even accounting for his recovery.
     
  16. ClockworkOrange

    Joined:
    Jun 13, 2002
    Messages:
    192
    Likes Received:
    1
    I noticed the times right before Francis would go one-on-one the offense would already become stagnant. That doesn't help his cause either. Other times though, I'd scream at my TV for ball movement. :D
     
  17. Tha Jay

    Tha Jay Member

    Joined:
    Jun 14, 2002
    Messages:
    58
    Likes Received:
    0
    I have also been little concern about the one-on-one play of Stevie and Cat. However, Rocketability made a good point that Rudy is throwing alot of different lineups out there. The flow of the game can get kind of messed up. I love Stevie and Cat. I will be an optimist and hope this is just a preseason thing.
     
  18. AcBrave

    AcBrave Member

    Joined:
    Mar 27, 2002
    Messages:
    143
    Likes Received:
    0
    great shooter: +40% at 3pts

    +47% overall

    where the hell is Rice? :confused: :confused:
     
  19. dfbreyes

    dfbreyes Member

    Joined:
    Jun 4, 2001
    Messages:
    802
    Likes Received:
    339
    Yes, I think so much hype and attention has been focused on Yao Ming, that some may forget that basketball starts with the point guard.

    Steve Francis has enormous responsibilities, the first of which is to pass before taking his shot.

    I'm very much tempted to start bashing Steve Francis, and suggest a trade for someone who knows how to pass, and actually passes the ball - Steve Nash.

    But I'll hold that urge until the first ten games of the regular season, and then reconsider.

    And besides, I hope the addition of new blood in Tito Maddox, and the continued improvement of Tierre Brown will see more playing time for these guards.
     
  20. Oski2005

    Oski2005 Contributing Member

    Joined:
    Nov 14, 2001
    Messages:
    18,100
    Likes Received:
    446
    Some of you are crazy. It's true, Steve is no Stockton or Kidd, but who the hell else, besides Andre Miller, can you compare to those guys? They are special in their own way. Magic Johnson was special for being able to dish and score. Francis is also special, the guy is the most athletic player in the league and he keeps getting better. He's not a natural PG, he never played the position until the NBA, so to be upset with him for not getting 8 to 10 assists a game is crazy. He's still in the top 15 in apg, how can that be considered terrible? I think he had a very productive pre-season when it came to assists and this was really his worst game in that department. Why does it not surprise me that after a bad passing game, he's already being called out and there's premature trade talk. By the way, Steve Nash avg 7.7 apg last season, that's about 1 more than Francis and he's on a team that had way more weapons than the Rockets.
     

Share This Page

  • About ClutchFans

    Since 1996, ClutchFans has been loud and proud covering the Houston Rockets, helping set an industry standard for team fan sites. The forums have been a home for Houston sports fans as well as basketball fanatics around the globe.

  • Support ClutchFans!

    If you find that ClutchFans is a valuable resource for you, please consider becoming a Supporting Member. Supporting Members can upload photos and attachments directly to their posts, customize their user title and more. Gold Supporters see zero ads!


    Upgrade Now