Quickness is irrelevant. He has Yao to pick for him. The guy just isn't hitting his jump shorts or getting to the line. There's plenty of space for him to get to the basket if he wants to. There's plenty of space for a jump shot. Yao gives him all of that. Steve just needs to convert.
Steve has to have a great deal of possession to put up those kind of #'s. Steve does quite well with the ball, but he's a terrible spot-up shooter. He always has been - but it used not to be as important. The problem really is that he's never going to dominate the ball very much on a very good team. He can get his shots - but not the kind of shots he needs. But if you give him as much of the ball as he needs, you create a stagnant, one dimensional offense. Joy.
If he moves on next year, Steve will be just fine on another team. Although I personally want to move him, I must admit that this season seems more of an aboration due to the reduced role than a trend. I mean, come on, this guy (along with GHill, ORob) are the only three players ever to AVERAGE 20/6/6 the first 4 years. That is a consistent, unique, valuable player, but one who unfortunately works best without a big man like Yao. Move him now while he still has Max value on the market.
It's not about numbers. It's about winning. In that sense, steve has improved as a basketball player this season. If he can ever rediscover his shooting touch, he'll be all right.
Who cares if he put up good numbers. His team never went anywhere or got to the playoffs. He's just another shareef abdur-rahim to me. Can put up good numbers, but his team never does a thing. I'm also sick of hearing the number 1 defense to Francis never making playoffs is the one where they go, but we had the best record one year for a team to not make the playoffs. Blah blah blah. Who cares about that. Do you want a medal or something? Your team didn't make the playoffs so it doesn't matter if you barely missed it or finished last. You still couldn't lead your team to the playoffs.
It's fair question SF's attitude and game IQ, but I don't think his basketball skills have been lessoned. He's still the same SF skill wise, but clearly not responding to the new coach. I think a change of scenery will bring back his game, or a change in coaching, and I think we all know which will come first. Raven
Yes, in years past, Francis GOT HIS NUMBERS. I remember watching most of those games and many of his 20-6-6 nights were not always in the best interest of the team. He frequently so dominated the ball that many journeyman players could have done just as well, numbers-wise. Statistics don't tell the whole story. The FOF's will have a completely different recollection: "beauty is in the eye of the beholder" and I have many dents on my TV to prove it. After many of those "losses," "beautiful game, Steve," was not my response. Some of you will remember, some won't.
i know ya'll don't want to here me i know ya'll think I'm a SFOF but YOU HEARD IT HERE 1st YAO AND STEVE WILL DOMINATE in the 1st round of the playoffs SF - 18/7/7 3TOs Cat - 16/6/4 Yao - 21/9/5 Rockets 4wins Opponents 2 wins Rocket River [1st round did expand to 7 this year right?]
i forgot the percentages SF 43% Cat - 44# Yao 53% Rocket River hopefully the foul calls will more equitable in the playoffs
