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HORRENDOUS calls aside . . . what was Francis doing in the 1st Quarter???

Discussion in 'Houston Rockets: Game Action & Roster Moves' started by Newtown, Mar 21, 2001.

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  1. Newtown

    Newtown Member

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    Maybe Heypartner can help me out on this one - was it me or did it look like the Rockets, specifically Steve, were repeatedly running some new alley-oop play in the first quarter? I counted at least 3 or 4 possessions where Francis would drive the lane, get up in the air around 5 feet from the hoop and then short-arm/alley-oop it to a teammate on the other side of the basket. The only time it worked was to Cuttino when they actually ready each other perfectly and Mobley grabbed it on the way up and slammed it home. The others were ridiculous - once he tried to Shandon who didn't know what the hell was going on and then another couple of times to Cato (who can't catch anyway) and Mobley. That play might be good for 2-3 baskets per game catching the other team off balance, but I don't really think it is a very high percentage play at all.

    My commentary from last night's game - aside from the fact that Francis getting ejected was total horsesh!t and took away any chance we had from coming back - was that I was a little disappointed with how we pressed when things started getting out of control in the first quarter. Steve and Cuttino knew how big last night's game was and wanted to win so bad and I think they got out of control, taking some bad shots, making some poor decisions, panicking just a bit. If we are going to make the playoffs, I hope last night's game will give us some good experience.

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    #1 Newtown, Mar 21, 2001
  2. heypartner

    heypartner Member

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    I remember those. They aren't alley-oop plays; they are the conclusion of plays to get Francis into the middle. The team is getting used to him getting deep penetration down the middle (I hope that's not too vulgar of a description for Clutch: [​IMG] )

    So, Francis penetrates and dishes. You are really talking about the last part...the dish if the defense leaves their man. So he is passing high. I agree; why did he keep going high, just because Mobley slammed the first one. Rogers got one, too. But yeah, Cato totally didn't jump for one and the timing screwed other good assist opportunities. The one to Rogers (I believe) had to be high, because a big man came to get him and Francis had the ball up to shoot. Francis should realize the "high dish" is a slow pass, and a wrap around dish should be his first choice, not the highlight pass to the rim.

    It is hard to criticize a point guard getting deep into the lane like that, drawing the defense, and finding the open man...only to blow the pass. I really can't complain about that.

    Cato and Shandon's defense hurt us a lot more.

    btw: why do you say Mobley got out of control in the 1st...16 points, mostly off of passes for layups and tip backs. As usual, he doesn't really run plays in the first; he is just a weakside opportunist. He also made his first 3 and like many players took another open look early in the shot clock (down by 15, go for it). Overall, he only missed (what?) 4 shots all game, so I can't fathom considering this an example of Cuttino out of control, certainly not in the 1st quarter. In the 3rd, he did have to heave one up when he got a stupid Hot-Potato pass back from Kenny with second left on the clock...(here Cuttino, I can't make; you try it...sorry there's only 1 second left).
     
    #2 heypartner, Mar 21, 2001
  3. Newtown

    Newtown Member

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    Getting out of control was really directed more at Steve in the first quarter. Mobley was incredible and he and Steve were trying so damn hard to keep us in the game (and I really think they would have if Kennedy hadn't tossed Francis). The one play Mobley had where I thought the wheels were going to come off was his one-on-one display against Christie where he dribbled back and forth between his legs about 23 times and then made his move (and fortunately was fouled). Cuttino was impressive last night, there's no doubt about it.

    As for Steve's "passes", I just can't see that those were not alley-oop designed passes. I mean they were not dump-offs or wrap arounds. I really don't think twice about anything Steve does anymore because he is really growing into the best point guard in the league, so last night kind of surprised me. I think Steve got caught up in the moment a little and was going for the spectacular when most of the time he either had the shot himself or could have dropped it off right into his teammates' hands.

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    #3 Newtown, Mar 21, 2001
  4. heypartner

    heypartner Member

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    I agree definitely they were alley-oop designed "passes". I was just saying that they are not alley-oop designed "plays", as you first suggested.

    The play is to get Francis into the middle where he can create by shooting or dishing. How he chose to dish is not part of play design. That is all I was saying.
     
    #4 heypartner, Mar 21, 2001
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