I hear ya. Yet only weeks ago DaDakota, when Yao was struggling, was going through "Yao will never be this, Yao will never be that" phase. I think he pretty much changes opinion to side with whatever the majority are saying.
For those who propose to get Ray Allen for Steve, think about this, 1. Where are we going to get an above average PG to run the team? 2. When the outside shots not falling, who do we rely on to penetrate, to break down the defense? Obviously, Ray is one of the best pure shooters in the game, and he can create his own shots as well, though not as good as Francis. But Steve is better at breaking down the defense, getting to the basket (not as much lately, though). We have good shooters in Pike, and above average shooters in Jackson & Mobley to a less extent. That's the least area the Rockets need to enhance among a long list. As JVG mentioned in his interview early in the season, the Rockets spent all of their time working on the defense at the begining of the season. I don't think they have spent enough time on their offense yet, not as much as on the defense at least. Yes, Steve has been struggling to score, but put youself in his shoes, think about what he's been through. His strength has always been his ability to break down the defense, when that part of his game get going, his jump shot will be falling easily. But that part of his game has been limited by the current system, I think the coaches realized this as well, but they just don't think it's as a high priority as setting Yao up in the post at this stage. If JVG & Co. start to run a few plays to get Steve some open looks, or some 1on1 for the easy shots, then he would look much better. I agree with the coaches that setting Yao up in the post should be the focus of the Rockets, but utilize Steve's ability should be the next item on their list. The current Rockets can get to playoff with Yao dominating, but they need a MAX Francis to make any advancement in the playoff. I know DD's thread is about the compatibility between Yao & Francis. Based on the Rockets' playing so far this season, I'd say they need more time to prove whether they fit the system. It's just too silly to expect that much after less than a season together with this defense oriented new system, that's why they gave JVG 4/5 years contract. --daoshi
Oil and water can be mixed, you need an emulsifier and proper conditions, then you will have a cream.
Everything you just said was true BEFORE the zone defense rules got implemented in the NBA. Teams aren't even using zone defenses that much now. They will though. Just look at the Jazz shutting down the Knicks with a zone defense that Jerry Sloan said was to make the Knicks shoot jumpers over the defense. You telling me that Steve can penetrate at will against these kind of defenses? Brent Barry is a passing point guard with gunner capability. Barry would have at least given the Rockets an option outside the arc against the Mavericks. Even Charlie Ward is competent from 3 point range. Steve is not an option from beyond the arc unless the Rockets want to lose. When the backup point guard of a Western Conference rival in the Kings is a better jumpshooter than this team's starter who makes max contract money, there are problems.
Charlie Ward's career 3-pt FG%: .366 Steve Francis' career 3-pt FG%: .348 Meaning for every 100 shots they take, on average Ward will make two more than Steve. Is that really going to offset Steve's ability to force a defense to keep someone close to him at all times? Looking at this year's stats is almost pointless, as Steve has had more pressure on him this year than Charlie ward has seen since his last year as a QB at Florida State.
Nothing against Steve. But DD is right. And I am certain Steve will be traded. Ray Allen and Allen Iverson are also strong candidates for a trade. Why would we continue to pay Francis a max salary when we're asking him to do his best Chauncey Billups impersonation? There are rumors printed recently that the Sonics are thinking to trade Ray Allen because they believe he won't sign an extension. Also, I recently saw an article in a business magazine that ranked the value of all NBA teams and the Sonics ranked next-to-last. Not good. We would never trade Steve to a WC team. Believe it. But the rumors involving Allen or Iverson might not have been far off. The Sixers want Cat in a bad way, too. I don't think we'd take back Iverson. But send him to the Sonics for Allen. Iverson can sell tickets in Seattle, and Allen and Yao....ah, man, that would be something to watch.
Other than this season, I don't think anyone has questioned Steve's shooting % before. When you cannot get into your flow, it's hard to shoot a good % that's why I mentioned that when the coaches start to pencil down some plays to get Steve going, that's the time he'll get back to his old self, scoring wise.
GB, I said I was not sure Yao had the demeanor to EVER become a superstar, and I am still not sold on that. But, he has made enormous strides. Guys....I am trying not to bash Steve here, just trying to say that I don't think either Yao or Steve will reach their potential playing with each other. Steve is an AMAZING talent, and if the zone was not legal, and we did not have a dominant low post guy I would build the team around him. However, we have a center who has a mismatch 95% of the time, and it is harder to get a good center than a good guard. Build around Yao.....use Steve to get pieces that fit better. All the points about his heart, and hustle etc...etc...are all true...he is gutsy and wears his heart on his sleeve. BUT...he does not fit in an inside out game....and he is too bad a passer to play PG in that system. If you agree great, if not...no big deal.....I just think the 2 players do not mix well, that's all. DD
What I remember before was Steve not shooting prolifically from outside but rather going hard to the basket for layups and dunks. His FG percentage was the highest in his 2nd season at 45%. Keep in mind that this was before the zone defense rules got put into place, so folks actually had to play man defense in the half-court. Those isolation plays actually worked back then. Now that there's potentially 3 defenders in the paint waiting for Steve, he can't get those easy shots anymore. His shooting percentage goes down accordingly. There's a cause and effect for his decreased shooting percentage. It's not like he mysteriously contracted the bricking disease. The rules have changed to make his style of play less relevant while propelling guards like Bibby, Nash, and Cassell to the forefront.
Sund was on ESPN radio Sunday and pretty much said they are going to S & T Barry, (preferably for a forward) and they know they have guards to spare and really need a power forward. He also said they want a "star" at that spot, and that means they have to trade a star to get one. If we can 3 - way a trade with an eastern conference team with a star or sexy potential star big man (Chicago? NJ?) we can get Allen; perhaps move Mo Taylor, too, in a package. We could 3 - way with Portland and send them SF3 for Randolph or SAR (who seattle tried to get); then send the forward for Allen. There's a few scenarios like that.
So we would essentially trade Steve AND Cat for Allen? I'll pass on that one. I do really like Allen, but if we got him then Cat does have to go and we would still need a PG.
Zone does take some of your options away, but it also gives you other options as any defensive strategy does. A good offense can and should always beat a good defense on an average day, the zone just has too much defficincy(sp?) to be used consistenly at NBA level, that's why you don't see that many teams play zone consistently. There is no doubt that Steve's penetration will be effected by the Zone, but that's not because of his bad shooting % this season, it is the slow movement he makes once he recieves the ball, which usually enables the defense to recover to their favorite formation. I know this will get into too much technical of X's and O's, but a quick move/decision make is the KEY element to beat the zone, that's a well know fact. Steve tends to hold the ball too long before he makes his move. If he can makes his move quicker, then he'll be just much effective against the zone. I have confidence in him to make that adjustment, and I believe the coaches will help him to make that adjustment by drawing some plays for him down the road. He just needs some time. --daoshi
Charvo, I think you misunderstood me, because I do agree with you on the Shaq/Kobe vs. Yao/Steve comparison. I do think that Shaq is far more dominant than Yao may ever be, and Kobe is a much better all-around, dependable superstar than Steve. That is my point exactly. Steve starts the All-Star game alongside Duncan, KG, Kobe, etc, and all-of-a-sudden he is as good as they are, right? Obviously not, but I truly believe Steve (and to a lesser degree, Cat) honestly think they are that level of player. What SF needs to realize is that he has had his chance to elavate our team to that level for almost half a decade, and it hasn't worked. He also needs to understand that Yao Ming represents the universally-accepted successor to Shaq as THE dominant post player in the NBA. Steve's (and the entire organization's) focus should be to set aside his ego and defer to Yao when the game is on the line, unless the other team decides to specifically stop Yao, which is still very possible. Unfortunately, Steve still sees himself as a Kobe Bryant or Allen Iverson. They are among the few truly elite players who can elavate a team individually and consistently win by doing it "their way". Steve is not. Try as he might, he has shown, if nothing else this season, that he is not this type of player. The sooner the Rockets fans/teammates/coaches and, most importantly, Steve realize this, the better.
Either Or. Right or Wrong. Oil or Water. Which one is right? As someone who believes Yao/Steve are like water/oil, it is better to have traded SF away for a player who can complement Yao Ming instead of hoping for the best and later be proved wrong. Why try to make a triangle fit into the square peg? We've had half a season to evaluate SF and I believe it is not working. Besides the chemistry between Yao/Francis, there is one other important factor to consider. The chemistry between JVG and Francis. Those two definitely don't like each other. Francis is the undisputed leader on this team, and therefore a source of friction for Van Gundy. He is potentially a cancer element in the lock-room, impeding the development of this team into a contender. It is better IMHO to get rid of such a destructive element, and bring in new players, and start fresh. BUILD around Yao Ming. Bring players that complement him, and can play team-basketball. Pass Intelligently. Play defense. And score when Open. Having a 7'6 magnet creates open shots for his teammates. It's amazing how our current players such as Steve Francis, and others cannot do these fundamental things. Even if the Rockets proceed to the playoffs, they should break up this team because the team as it is currently composed do not fit naturally together. Trade the parts that dont' fit, and get new parts.
Yaowsa, Good post for the first ever. I agree completely. It's not that this team can't "compete", but that it has the opportunity to be so much more than that. That opportunity is in the core we can bring in to build around Yao by having chips like SF, Cat, and even Cato/MoT. Francis is one of the few players in the league who can get you a bonafide superstar straightup in a trade. The question is, who of the available Superstars would fit best alongside Yao? Ray Allen EBrand AIverson KBryant RWallace These players, and several others, could theoretically be had for Steve in a deal, but the key is finding the one who will HELP Yao Ming, rather than hurt him. Why settle for being good when making one bold move with the Franchise (pun intended) could bring us so much more?
What is wrong with Cato? He is the defensive enforcer we need next to Yao. He grabs rebounds and plays great D. Then we have offense at the 4 spot when Mo comes off the bench.
