And who exactly would get the ball to Yao... Tmac, sure, but the man needs his shots. Its the same situation, its gunna be Mac's team when it is being already being guided towards a Yao type team. Trading Mac for francis would actually make us worse unless we also traded say mobley for a legit PG.
I don't think anyone questions my record except for you Oski. I watched the plenty closely, and I noticed that Steve hit only layups or threes, the midrange pull up is not a good shot. I also conceded that Steve had the best game of his season last night and truly had a great performance. Cat had seven turnovers in game one and made his first 3 pointer of the series only in game three. What he has done admirably is his defense on Kobe. What do you want me to say? Everyone has flaws. I'm only pointing out some underlying problems that do not disappear with Steve's good performances the last two games. Two good games in a row is not a big enough sample size to erase everything. I want him to do well, I honestly do, and I've noted that his doing well is the only way we are going to win. I just think that mean reversion will eventually set in and he's not going to play like this every night. And the fundamental problem of the direction of this team will rise up again. But you know what? Maybe I should have waited until after the playoffs. I grant you that.
Imagine where we'd be if the Rockets had traded the Dream away after just 5 seasons. Or after the failed finals vs. the Celtics. Right. We wouldn't be on any "clutchcity.com" or "clutchcity.net" or "clutchfans.net" for sure. SF3 stays. Trust me.
Those are bold words. Considering that Hakeem led us to two championships in his 10th and 11th year. Are you willing to bet that Francis does the same? I'd say, not without A LOT more help. Talk to me AFTER the playoffs. Then, we'll have a better understanding of where this team is at in terms of their chances for the future. By the way, Hakeem would have been traded if he hadn't changed his attitude and way of playing w/his teammates. There was a whole list of things in relation to Charlie Thomas and new owner Les Alexander that allowed him to stay. Plus, bringing in new players and Hakeem's rejuvenation of his religious faith helped. So, it wasn't just a question of "staying" or "not staying." Hakeem had to make changes on his end as well. If Francis can make the changes to his game that are necessary for teamplay, consistency and efficiency. Then, yes. He'll stay. But if not. He's gone.
Those are bold words, but anything can happen in 5-6 years, anything. I do agree that we need A LOT more help. I want SF to stay in Houston. Him and Yao are playing together better, SF has been sensational in the playoffs and didn't have that bad of a regular season, except for shooting % and adjusting. I think he finally beginning to realize how he needs to play. But you're right, everything will be more clear after the playoffs, but hopefully we won't have to discuss it anytime soon.
David S., nice post as always. While bashing and thrashing has been the soup of the day here lately, I think it's pretty clear we're all in the same boat now. This thread really has separated the wheat from the chaffe on this bbs. There's a lot of opinions I disagree with, but they've forced me to dig deeper into my personal bias. No, I'm not talking about the chumpleheads, but about the guys who can envision the responsibility of an opinion. The SF guys, many of whom I respect, are a bit unhinged and don't understand that most of the guys that think SF must go still love that guy. It's painful and on the court today many of us wouldn't mind ourselves spilling a little blood and breaking a bone or two to see SF in full bloom. That's not for trade value, that's for him. This time of year it's not about the money, he has to be the best man on the court - and I'm betting their's FIVE hall of famer's in front of him. Yeah, that's it. A surreal expectation, but a second tier superstar is superfluous if we can't play good ball. I short-changed Dream every step of the way until I stood in awe. And I saw him play his first game at UofH. I had faith, he blew past my threshold. Steve's a bad point guard, but he "gets" that he is the franchise, and he accepts it. The guys that complain Yao's a wuss in reaction to the criticisms of Steve don't give a damn about the Rockets or basketball. Steve threw out a triple-double and realized it wasn't nearly good enough and played a better game Friday. I fear it was a confidence thing (was it over 60% 3 pt. shooting?). This time of year it's not about stats. I know what his weaknesses are, he needs to show me more of his greatness. He needs to surprise me today. Like he did Friday. A sixth year player with upside? Stupid concept. But my heart is with him and I feel like going to frikken' Mass.
Clutch, is it like I give $10 and can edit? I never could type. I still wish you could just hit my account, it's a frikkin' 14.95 to listen to Rockets games. Sigh. I'll e-mail you. I really hate misusing theres and theirs just because I have a thought that has come to boil.
This is so silly. Why would you get rid of the only piece of your team who seems to embrace the challenge of the playoffs. All of you guys who still want to trade Francis are working on the assumption the Yao has already proven himself to be ready to be the leader of the team. What if you do trade Francis for a Brand a guy who puts up numbers and looks great next to Yao, but not a proven leader and Yao doesn't live up to the challenge. Francis has proven so far to be a keeper, period. He shown you that his problem wasn't lack of complimentary talent to Yao, it was lack of confidence this season. That's the only problem he's had, and now we're seeing what he can really do when playing at his best along with Yao. You don't trade someone who is carrying you for pieces.
First of all, I'm pretty sure I said at least until the playoffs begin. And even at that, I haven't really posted much at all since they began. For two, you don't need me to say that Yao is ok, but not great. His play on the court is speaking loud enough. I saw SF elevate his game in the playoff when all the pressure is on and it's do or die - only to have people STILL question him. All bets are off. The playoffs are where you see what you really have in a player. You see if he's able to elevate his game. This is where normal players start to truly become stars in the league. I guarantee you that if Steve continues this level of play, you'll hear the same media that was lambasting him and ready to throw him out for Yao starting to say that the Rockets have to keep him involved in the offense. You will slowly start to hear people say that he's the Rockets' best player. And unless he steps it up another notch, people will REALLY start calling Yao soft. Hopefully Yao has a breakthrough game today and we win. If Steve continues to play this well and we win, his reputation around the league will definitely start to change. No one can say that he hasn't lead his team to the playoffs or played big in them. Period. That tired, lame mantra is done. Steve has started proving himself. It's up to Yao to do the same. If he doesn't, 7'6 or not, all bets are off.
Good Article if no one has read it yet from Yesterday about Francis. http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/playoffs2004/columns/story?columnist=bucher_ric&id=1788307
I meant "stand by that statement." Not literally, "bet." Why? Because I don't want YOU "betting" our teams chances away for the next 5 years. Heh heh...That would be suicide to our team. We'd have some great efforts, but never really going anywhere. We'd always be cutting it short. But that would be good enough for you, wouldn't it...as long as SF had some good showings, huh? Think what's best for the TEAM (Rockets), not just one player (just because you happen to personally like that player).
Did Anyone Notice that Francis is leading the team in Scoring Rebounding and Assists in the Playoffs? Guy is seriously stepping up against a great defender.
F.D. Khan, if you'll notice, Steve's getting his well-deserved props here and elsewhere. But we're still on the same page. Beat the Lakers today? Yeah, do it. But we're still foodfish, and we have to look at why.
For everyone who is jocking Steve right now, this is your time, enjoy it. Gloat about his performance, as you should, but remember that this is also the same guy who was leading this team out of playoffs with a terrible performance in the last ten games of the season. The reasons for moving him are still there, and unless he actually pulls out a victory in this series, the original point of this entire thread is still valid. A great postseason for Steve does nothing but increase his trade value, should the right deal come along.
At what point would a great postseason mean keeping Steve, in your opinion? Would we still trade him if we won the whole thing?
