http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcon...carlton/stories/111603dnspocarlont.a8bcb.html Columnist Chuck Carlton Rockets keep guard tandem together Sunday, November 16, 2003 Steve Francis and Cuttino Mobley have been together as long as any current backcourt pairing this side of Steve Nash and Michael Finley. They remain a unit on the Houston Rockets, having survived the transition to new coach Jeff Van Gundy and widespread predictions of their imminent demise. Despite Yao Ming's presence, Francis and Mobley rank 1-2 in team scoring. The two have led the Rockets in scoring average since 1999-2000, the year they first formed a guard tandem. "It's special, still being together," Mobley said. "They could have switched us up. It grew us closer as a family." Also Online Rockets keep guard tandem together Around the NBA NBA Rankings As good as the two have been, Houston has failed to make the playoffs with them as the focal point. Van Gundy was supposed to change things, one way or another. Early talk had him running the offense through the 7-6 Yao. People wondered about his reaction to Francis launching cringe-inducing 3-pointers off the dribble. So far, Van Gundy has survived, and so has the backcourt combination. Van Gundy said he tried to block out preconceived notions. "That's why I found it best to just wait to work with someone to find out," Van Gundy said. And? "It's been fine," he said. "I think one of the big misconceptions about the Rockets after watching the games last year and being with them this year is that they don't willingly pass the ball to Yao. That's not true. ... "It's hard sometimes, because the new rules make it harder to effectively pass to a post player. It doesn't have anything to do with their willingness to do it." Van Gundy has defended his guards publicly, especially after a training-camp comment was interpreted as a slam on Francis. He really doesn't have much choice. As Thursday's loss to the Mavericks showed, Yao doesn't yet have the temperament to dominate consistently. Kelvin Cato is a nice defender and rebounder. Jim Jackson can shoot but shouldn't be a No. 1 option at this stage. That leaves Francis and Mobley. Van Gundy would like to see the two expand their games. They've already answered his call to work hard on defense, which has reflected itself in team stats. He has suggested that Francis to look for more catch-and-shoot situations. Unlike many players, Francis is at his best shooting off the dribble, which means he sometimes passes up open shots. Consistency is a key for Mobley, who ranges from very good to really bad. Both players can be rattled by defensive pressure. Van Gundy's barometer is likely to be the standings far more than the scoring averages. Even he admitted that the 5-1 start was as much about the Rockets' weak opening schedule as their improvement. Mobley says he's happy for the chance that he and Francis have been given on what could be their most talented team since arriving in Houston. "There's always critics," Mobley said. "But can they come in and play and do what we do? I don't really care what they say – as long as Jeff recognizes it."
I think the key is not so much Cat's shot accuracy but how he plays the game when he's shots are not falling. I have no problems with Cat taking open easy shots but when these shots are not falling I would like to see him pass it back to Yao or someone else with hot touch. I know it's stating the obvious but not following common sense is something the team has been guilty of last season. As long as cat achieves this I think we'll be a great unit. As this was evident in the suns game where he collected 8 assists and we won.
Cat appears to be improving. The play that I most remember in the Suns game was when Cat drove to the hoop and dished to Yao, rather than force it up. It was a good pass, a good play, and Cat reacted with emotion-he enjoyed that play. Hopefully it will continue. As far as a weak opening schedule, it's perfect. We can gain confidence in victory, and gametime for improvement for the tougher teams.
I may be unique in that I am a fan, a big fan, of both, imperfections and all. I am glad they are Rox. To trade either would require a tremendous return, IMO. If what Rox got back was enough I could live with their being gone. Short of Wallace or TMac or somesuch heading Houston-way, it's all the way with Stevie and Cat for me!
If this is exactly what JVG said and its upto date then JVG must be wearing blinkers or must be looking the other way because so far this season there have been numerous times that Yao Ming has been ready to receive, calling for the ball and has been ignored by Steve and Cat. I know things are improving but JVG needs to see that it happens.
HAHA. Of course Dallas wants us to keep Steve and Cuttino together. Cant you guys figure it out? They arent scared of this backcourt thats why.
