I would love to have Barry, and if they're not going to move Francis and want to give him more time, I wouldn't mind that plan as much. Just add a guy in the backcourt who will log big minutes (no Piatkowski 7-minute jobs) -- preferably start -- be able to shoot, make the pass and run the break. Barry is definitely it... I'd much rather have Barry than Eric Snow. If they refuse to break up Cat/Francis, then get two very solid pieces at a minimum with the trade exception and the mid-level. This team desperately needs depth.
In order for us to trade Steve it really depends what we're getting for him. If we're not offered much we should keep him as he is (was and should revert) to a prolific scorer and penetrator but couple him with a heady shooting guard ala Brent Barry, and let Mobley come off the bench. If we could get the following players (reasonable based on explanations) I would trade Steve: RAY ALLEN: Last year of contract next year in Seattle. Probably will not resign with them as they have a glut of wing players and cannot possibly keep all. Rashard/Vlad/Barry/Flip/Ray and no real point. TRACY MCGRADY: Call me crazy but T-Mac has one year left and can opt out of his contract. If he decides to do so or will leave the Magic with nothing they would trade him as not to lose him for nothing. Steve is an exciting all-star player that would thrive in an open Magic offense in the east. Steve coupled with a draft pick and maybe another player if we take a bad salary hit might get us T-mac (a pipe dream though!) BULLS PLAYERS: The Bulls want excitement. They need an uptempo player and a veteran that kills the east. They would possibley give up Hinrich, their draft pick (Okafor) or Chandler, plus a salary killer like Eddie Robinson for a combination on our team. ATLANTA PACKAGE: Atlanta needs someone to fill up the seats at their arena. They are dead last and don't need more youth. I could see them having a great draft pick that could net us through a three-way a player and a good rookie. DETROIT: As they're trying to mimic the old bad boy pistons, they would see Francis as an Isiah type player. Chauncey in some ways plays similar to francis but is a better defender and is more 3-pt prone. Chauncey plus Milicic could net us a point plus a future PF. We know that Larry wants to win now and this may be there chance if they get some dynamic backcourt help.
You are comparing your former franchise player to JJ & Cat? Come on, you can do better than that. Who are Brent Barry, Jimmy Jackson, or Mobley Cat? They are all role players! When your are role players, you make your living by making adjustment in whatever situation you are put into. Steve is different, he was the MAN upon until this season. Now you are expecting him to fade into 2nd fiddle within ONE freaking season? Give me a couple examples where a designated franchise player of a team immediately made the adjustment to a new coming star, became a complimentary player? How long did it take Kobe to settle for 2nd option to Shaq before PJ took over? He wasn't even the MAN prior to that, and he still has trouble with that from time to time. David Robinson did that for TD, but he was on his way out anyway. I don't know much about Ray Allen, but he is not the kind of player you'd put your franchise on, so that comparison is not valid either. I don't deny that there might be some great players who can fit better with Yao than Steve. Heck, I was the one keep saying that Yao's style was in conflict with the Rockets style before the last he even played a game in the league and got flamed for that. But I believe in a fair chance for everyone, and Francis deserve one from the organization, and the real fans here.
I've gone through a list of players that Francis might be traded for. Start from the position that he's way overpriced, can't cut it under any system as a PG and probably wouldn't make a very good SG either. Best case scenario find some other way overpriced player but one that has a contract that will expire much sooner. That gives you a list of: Eddie Jones Grant Hill Nick Van Exel Jalen Rose Scratch Jones because Miami has Wade and Riley's not that dumb. Maybe Orlando, they've made dumb moves before and are desperate. Van Exel? Possible since GS makes some dumb moves too. Rose? Maybe, who knows.
I used to want to wait until SF had a chance to fit in. I was pretty sure he could, but I wondered whether or not the Rockets would have the time, or patience to make it work. The Rocket’s play over the last month or so has changed my mind. Francis is a great player with a great heart and tons of athleticism and skill, but he does not have the temperament or consistency to run the offense JVG is trying to run. I think its all about quality over quantity. Van Gundy’s offense seems to want a limited number of quality offensive possessions as opposed to a high volume of shots. That makes it critical for players to play “smart” and not turn the ball over. I don’t think Francis is ever going to be a pg that is effective in that system. IMO opinion he would thrive in an offense that tries to maximize the number of possessions versus one that tries to limit them. The Rockets need Francis to make good decisions, shoot well, and attack the basket for effect. He doesn’t do that consistently. He’s spectacular at times, but not consistent and this offense needs a consistent pg. The idea of switching Francis to a two guard might work, but then what do we do with Mobley who is arguably (I’d say clearly) better at that position than Francis? Trade him? Francis has the better trade value. I’d love for Francis to prove me wrong, because I like to watch the guy when he’s “on” and I think he gets a raw deal at times, but come summer Francis real value to the Rockets will be who we can bring in by trading him.
Well, you still have to make a decision about Steve's future this summer. Do you believe Steve is willing to & capable of playing at the highest level along side Yao? If not, then you have to move him because there is no sense in paying a guy the MAX but only expect the average output from him. If you believe there is still a possibility, then you need to do whatever you can to help him to get there. If it means to sign a quality free agent guard to take the ball handling duty away from Steve, then do it by all means. The Rockets were playing very inconsistently when Steve was the franchise player before this season; they have been playing very inconsistently this season with Yao as the focus point. One night they showed they could play with anybody, the next they lost to the Hawks, or the Heats. The problem is not just with Steve, it's with Yao, Cat, JJ as well. We are just not a good team at every night, but that's expected for a team with so much change this year. If they still play this way next season, or the year after, yeh, we can denouce the make of the team, but they should be allowed a chance to prove that, and it takes time to prove it.
Are you really following any NBA games? Grant Hill hasn't played for how long? He most likely is done for his career. Nick Van Exel? I like the guy's no-fear attitude, but if you have pulling your hair out because of Steve's dumb plays, then you'll be a bold man in less than half a season. Jalen Rose? The guy has been whining about playing time, shots everywhere he went. He is a much worse fit than Steve. Now, let's look at what Eddie Jones has done since he signed his MAX contract with Miami, NOTHING. Come back with another list. This time, make sure you actually watch them playing.
I think it would be jumping the gun a bit to trade Steve Francis this year, especially if the issue is his shooting. For 2/3 of last year he was actually an excellent outside shooter and has been a solid go-to guy in the clutch. I think that players like Francis who can break down defenses off the dribble are at a premimum during the playoffs. What I would like to see is the Rockets work in a few high post sets with Yao where the guards can work more pick and rolls and use their excellent first steps to get to the basket. It looks like Steve's ability to get to the basket has been inhibited as much as his outside shot this year, but there is no reason to think that this is set in stone. The Rockets have made real improvements this year, despite Steve's poor play. I would think that unless there is an incredible offer on the table (think several Clippers named Brand and Dooling, etc.), I would be hesitant to give up on Steve just as he is adjusting to a new system and philosophy. The teams that would likely trade for Steve (Chicago, Seattle) would more than likely still have those offers on the table next winter, as with this summer.
I actually like what I saw last night when we were playing the blazers. I am at the point where I don't mind having steve taking the shots he takes as long as he remembers yao is the center of the offence... I want to keep him but if we do I really would like a nice TALL point forward to play small forward for us while we move jim jackson to the smallguard position or let him come off the bench like mo tay while cat starts. I know this comes up every year and I figure alot of people have bashed this thought but I still would love to get odom in a rockets uniform playing small forward for us. If he's playing well for Jeff's brother and Riley then I think he'll do just as great for Jeff. I wouldn't mind a line up of Steve pg jim jackson sg Odom sf Cato pf Yao-C
Very true. If we make the playoffs and do well, I think Steve is staying. If we don't make the playoffs or play horrible in them, I expect Steve and/or Mobes to be shipped.
Well Whats not to like? He's a point guard who shoots 39% with few assists and lots of turnovers. Leads even Rasheed Wallace in Technicals. Makes more foolish mistakes than any 5 year veteran I have seen. Moving him to another position will not help on this team since the JVG system requires you work within a system. Its bad when half the fans pray that the franchise player is on the bench during crunch time. Perhaps to the 76er's or a bad team that will allow him to do whatever he wants. With the Rice special exception we can really turn SF into some great players. He might thrive with a fresh start.
IMHO I dont think Steve will be Traded because the Rockets Management are too sentimental and not business like enough to take this bold step. Steve unfortunately is inadequate to play our Point Guard and is too expensive and possibly too small to play Shooting Guard. Steve has less chance of fitting into a Center Oriented Team than say Cat Mobley. If the Rockets wait any longer then they will have an overpaid over the hill player playing Shooting Guard, in the not too distant future. Even so,I dont think the Management have the spunk it will take to move him out of the Starting Point Guard Position and find a replacement Playmaker Point Guard. I hope I am wrong because this is an urgent move that is the one significant thing that must be done before Yao Ming can fully develop and become the Leader of the Rockets.
After this season is over, we show Steve that the team made the playoffs, and praise him for his improved defense. We show Steve how that made a difference, and tell him he made strides as far as sharing the ball. Then we tell him that we still want smarter decisions to be made, and for him to work on his shooting. Give Steve whatever kind of help he needs in making those improvements, and start getting excited about our team next year.
I'm suprised I'm in the minority opinion here, but it seems like I am. SF has to go. It's very unhappy, and no I don't think we'll get equal value, but I believe his value will diminish at the 2. The sentimentality in this franchise went out the door as JVG entered. And reality seems fairly stark to me. He's tried, I'll always like him, but his skillset is diametrically opposed to what this team needs. I know there's disagreement about that. But what if Yao makes the "third year leap" and we contend on that basis, and the team still plays as we do? We're a decent team with some exceptional talent that plays bad basketball. That's not a contradiction, that's just who we are. The city of Houston knows that. And don't think Alexander doesn't by now. Trouble is, what will are options be. I've seen in other threads that any competent GM can do this... Well I think almost any GM would shudder when he makes the deal and just focus on who plays solid bb and shoots a good pctg. But I still say we could get lucky. There's got to be a half a dozen teams in the East that have every reason to get a little spastic. And SF has a high profile. What's scaring me most is Philly pretty much deciding AI has to go. Where can he go? And CD/JVG just say "value", argh. And that's a tough call, one I have no doubt we wouldn't have considered before JVG and now - Ugh I can see it "I'm playing with my 'Gift from God'". Somebody tell me it's not gonna happen.
All good thoughts. And there are other scenarios. Perhaps Toronto - Steve and Taylor for Vince Carter and Donyell Marshall, perhaps? Vince and Yao are old friends from China. Vince is a deferential player, a good passer, a fan allstar, and Toronto is in the lotto again. Management might move half-man, half-a-season for the more durable Francis to pair with Rose and Bosh. They can find decent 2 guards pretty cheap, and they still have Williams. Not a bad swap for either team. Indiana - Ron melts down in the playoffs. Ron and a collection of excess talent and contracts (Bender, Tinsley, Croshere?) could move for a Steve + (Cato?). This would let Al Harrington move up and get them star power in the backcourt. Jermaine O'Neal is a tough power forward that could play well with the acrobatic Francis; as opposed to the mismatch with the finesse player Yao. LA Clippers - Brand hasn't given them a playoff berth. He missed much of the season, and is highly paid at a position where they also have Wilcox and Ely. Brand is undersized and likely to injure as his career progresses. Brand for Francis could vault them into a competitive lineup and sell a lot of tickets. Big problem - Kobe comes first. LA Lakers - Kobe is on the outs. He'll likely win his legal case, but has no friends in the locker room. LA has no reason to part with him for nothing. Kobe should want to maximize his earnings with a big sign and trade. What can they get if he's on the block? Francis might be appealing to Shaq. With Payton and Francis trading combo guard duties, and the big man (men?) down low, they can rumble again. Or not. NJ Nets - Thorn decides the window of opportunity for Kidd plus cast off and kids has passed, and decided to cut bait. He needs to get something for KMart, something for Kidd, and fill holes. Maybe a Cato and Francis package for Kidd and Kmart, with Kidd having some knee problems and age lately, could play, if Kmart says for sure he's gone, and Thorn wants to help him out the door and rebuild with allstar Stevie Franchise, Jefferson, and a center under 30 who can swat. There's several others. I like targeting the selfless outside partner options - Allen, Carter, Hinrich; but there's lots of different ways to approach the problem of helping Yao. It just takes a little effort to make the trade attractive to each team. Deals can get done, as even Isiah proved, if you give each team something.
That's important that you bring that up. Sure, keep Francis. But don't pay him MAX. I mean, why? Aren't we *slowly* transitioning him to a secondary role? Does that deserve MAX? Wouldn't you think that this is a role that could be better accomplished by a Ray Allen or Tracy McGrady. So, sure, keep Francis around... But if we do that, we're basically relegating a one-dimensional player to our 2nd "best" option. And that "2nd best" really isn't that great. This is not a good strategy if the Rox plan on winning any chamionships. We could do a lot better by bringing in someone that can do Francis's "job" better than he can. Put it this way, the more responsibility that Francis has, the more he'll be an boat-anchor to this team. And the less his role becomes, the less impact our MAX contract money is doing.
