You are correct. Yao Ming hit the final shot against the Lakers on a pass from Steve. Moochie hit game winners on a pass for Steve, and Steve won several games with his own last second shots.
What I want to know is... where were all these countless Francis supporters when he was getting bashed constantly last year. I supported him every step of the way here, and at times I felt I was in the vast minority. That being said... I still say the article was justified. He's making the case even more stronger that the Rockets had to make the trade. Had Francis had an All-NBA year last year, the Rockets would probably not have done it... but, alas, he didn't (and probably never will).
you may be right - I liked Francis when he was here, but he needs to grow up During one of the Rox TNT halftime shows, Barkley was telling SF3 that the Cat trade would help him long term - instead of engaging Barkley in a discussion on that topic (like a mature 27 year old man), Francis seemed to withdraw even more (looking like a kid right after being told he can't have a toy that he wants). Meanwhile Cat has flourished and, while he made some comments early on, he seems to be adjusting to his new team (and looking forward to free agency)... honestly, I think that Francis can be fun to watch (in an And 1 sort of way) but Tmac and Yao both look and act older (even though one is 24 and the other is 25)
I'm not sure that is a cheapshot. Sure, Francis runs his mouth because he's immature, but I thought that's one of the reasons why we got rid of him. As I've said already in another post, he's not our problem any more. Whatever he says now reflects on himself, not on us. But Lopez is definitely taking a cheapshot. Sure, some of that stuff he says is actually true and Francis has flaws, but does he has to bash Steve to the extent to putting the entire blame on him? How about Grant Hill or Turkeyglue's shooting? How about JDavis being an idiot and doesn't double Yao? There might be a thin line between being objectively critical and being sour grapes but there is such a line. And Lopez crossed it, just as the Orlando loser fans did long ago
That is being too general Nick. Take me for example. I absolutely HATED Francis' game, his ego, his little brain farts and therefore was a main proponent to get him shipped out of town. But that doesn't mean I hate the little bugger. I actually really like him as a person and wishes he does well. I think there are other posters here like me too. We aren't sour grapes like Orlando fans that wishes Steve and his team collapse. To criticize Steve for his flaws is justified. To bash him for no reason is being, well, Juugie like.
I didn't want to start a new thread on this, but I would LOVE to hear from some Orlando fans/residents - about what Orlando fans think of Francis' comments about the Rockets when you are with a girl, and all she does is talk bad about her old boyfriend/husband... do you really want to commit to someone with that baggage? He's talking about building the Toyota Center... and the Rockets trading away ANYONE that won't play slow-it-down basketball (I guess someone forgot to tell Barry that !) I imagine that for some of them, it must feel like there on a date with a some girl who keeps saying (about some other dude) "well, he wouldn't anywhere if it wasn't for me" or "oh, he will drop her as soon as she starts asking him for a key" I just want to shake him and say "Steve-0, if it REALLY doesn't both you, then STOP talking about it... the reporter will get the picture and stop asking you after a few games."
Yeah, you are right about that. But do we have to sink to his level? Did Lopez have to call him a cancer? Oh excuse me, cancer like symptoms.
He was good, but not amazing. Dream was amazing. Steve was so great that we won how many games? I'm not bashing him, but pointing out that he is not a franchise player, overrated if you will. I wish people remember what "amazing" really was. It's sort of unfair to compare Steve to the Dream, but his apoligists and Steve himself do it all the time.
I think the author is sort of mean. As for rox is better or not in the future, it still needs to be tested. It is too early to make the conclusion.
If the truth is mean spirited then...... Steve Francis is his own worst enemy. He is STILL immature and STILL a punk. He can take all the shots he wants at our system but the fact still remains that we kicked his A$$ twice within a week. Oh and by the way we also ran them off the court in the first half and let Stevie have as many shots as he wanted in the second half. JVG has his number and showed it over the last two games. Get Steve to take it personal and he basically takes the rest of his team out of the game all by himself......lol
Is the system the Rockets have been using lately the exact same one we used last year? I'm not an analyst, but my latest ESPN Mag said that Van Gundy finally changed things up and that's why the team has been on a roll lately.
Oh, Man, Lopez must have had some with Francis last night. To be fair, I at least remember Stevie passed out a couple dishes in a game win/lose situation. That hawks tripple OT, JJ hit one passed by Francis.
I mentioned this a while ago JVG finally opened up the offense I think he had some nudging Rocket River
Nudging from who? Have you ever seen JVG after we get a rebound? The way he flails (sp?) his arms about trying to get the guards to push the ball up the court? He's been doing that for 2 years not 2 weeks. I think "opening up the offense" has more to do with the guys we brought in. And more importantly the guys we shipped out. Francis, Mobes, and JJ had NO CLUE how to execute a fast break. NO CLUE. Sura, Wesley, Barry and T-Mac do.
Fact is, Steve has won just as much as Tracy, JVG and Yao which is nothing. No one thinks of Stevie as one of the best players in the league. But, he's very good and like all other very good players, he has faults. He has won just as much as Tracy/Yao/JVG which is nothing.
I'm just glad the game's over, maybe we can get over the Francis-bashing here and start talking about the Houston Rockets. Crazy thought, I know.
