Francis' turnovers

no, they didn't really come at a bad time, they were just spuratic turnovers...I don't think it had anything to do w/ his ankle. He's just trying to do TOO much. He needs to sit and watch how Bryce Drew looks to get his TEAMMATES involved first and foremost. I realize Steve does do this too, but he needs to do it a lot more. The other thing is being too fancy....just play simply. I think right now Drew should start. I know that won't happen b/c of all they did to get Francis, not to mention a bruised ego on the part of Steve as well. He just needs to play smart, simple basketball is all. He has game he just gets too wild sometimes.

 

So Francis had 1 bad game,so what?No way in hell does Drew start one game while Francis is healthy........Try to get a grasp on how much talent Stevie has.

[This message has been edited by Hardwood Hammer (edited December 10, 1999).]

 

i'm not basing that on one game, he has struggled w/ turnovers ALL year...so i'm not basing it on one game...and i'm not saying he doesn't have talent. he just needs to stay under control. he should start as long as he can do that one thing, and that's been his weakness all season long. like i said, he has a lot of talent, but i think sometimes he thinks he has more than he does.if he just plays under control he'll be fine

 

Francis was being doubled alot tonight. Francis is a rookie though and these mistakes will help him along the way.

 

Drew should start? LOL.

Nothing against Bryce Drew, he's a good backup guard, but sorry, he is NOT a starter.

We need Francis out there starting every game so that he can learn and make his rookie mistakes NOW, so that he will be ready in the future. If he is sitting, then he will never get a chance to learn.

 

I don't know if Drew should start now, but if Francis keeps playing wild he'd better sit on the bench to cool his head for a while. He is doing all the spins and fancy moves to try to beat his opponent, while Drew just passes the the damn ball. I can't believe I am saying this but Drew probably is benefitting the Rockets more than Francis is. The stats says everything.

Francis Min 30 Assists 5 To 8

Drew Min 23 Assists 7 To 0

It seems to me that the teammates are doing a nice job scoring, and Drew is doing better at getting teammates involved. Relax guys, they wouldn't start Drew unless Francis goes down.

[This message has been edited by Finalfantasy (edited December 10, 1999).]

 

P1S2...LOL,
The Rockets turned the ball over right and left and couldn't put it in the hole.Carlos was dominating when he was in there and after coming back from a 25 point deficit,Rudy,inexplicably sat him for almost the whole 4th.We should have won this game.Defense was what brought us back.Shandon and Mobes played well also.Stevie stunk up the joint with every sort of imaginable turnover and bad shot selection.Better he gets these games out of his system now while learning the point.The Rocks showed alot of heart tonight.We've been having a good time over here but don't think I still won't take the time to drop everyone a line. Hardwood Peace and Cheers

[This message has been edited by Hardwood Hammer (edited December 10, 1999).]

[This message has been edited by Hardwood Hammer (edited December 10, 1999).]

[This message has been edited by Hardwood Hammer (edited December 10, 1999).]

 

If we had 8 more possesions and scored 2 we would have won this game, Francis is letting me down. CB is gone and it's his turn to step up! Hope he matures quick and fast!

 

I am not afraid to say it.

Drew is playing WAY better then Francis.

Francis comes labeled as a point guard, I don't see it. He thinks shoot first. Bryce Drew gets everyone involved and plays under control.

Look, I think Francis can excel in this league, possibly even star, but one thing all superstars have is a feel for the speed and pace of a game, and Francis does not have it as of now.

It was no coincidence that the Rockets made their run tonight with Steve on the bench. If he does not get under control, Rudy will simply let Drew finish the games. He will learn....SOON I hope.

DaDakota

" JUST MAKE THE SIMPLE PLAY...all this between the legs, one handed pass over EVERYONE'S head is RIDICULOUS, GROW UP ALREADY STEVIE. "

[This message has been edited by DaDakota (edited December 11, 1999).]

 

Funny how Drew goes from goat to savior at the point position after a few good games. Wasn't too long ago people were saying he'll never be a good point guard in this league and should be cut. When I first came to this BBS, I said I thought Drew would be a good point and got “schooled” about how he couldn't dribble, pass or get teammates involved. Now he is the answer to our point guard needs and we need to bench Francis. . . Whatever. I am sure a different tune will be sung once he busts another superb game.

At least the fans of the Sacramento Kings know what it means to stand by a player as he goes through growing pains. They withstand all the errant passes, bad shots, over dribbling and bad decisions Williams makes because they know that it will take time for him to get better. There will be nights like this people. There may be worse nights. For now you have to take the good with the bad as he continues to improve. Let the kid learn now. He is a rookie. If some of us think Drew should start now, just imagine how good Francis will be when he learns the position. You don’t learn how to play the point guard position in the NBA in just 6 weeks. I think we are just spoiled for having a winning squad for so long. It’s been so long since we’ve really had to go through growing pains.

 

Exactly. Francis is young, this was like is 16th game i think. It takes time for him to learn. Bryce Drew has improved but no way he should get the start. I knew some idiots would say something like this after francis has a bad game.

IT TAKES TIME .... SO JUST GIVE IT TIME AND FRANCIS WILL COME THROUGH>

 

I am in NO way suggesting Francis be benched. I am merely stating that as of right now, Drew runs the team more efficiently.

It is no coincidence that we won 3 with no Francis or that we made the comeback with him on the bench. He HOGS the ball, plain and simple. He needs to get more people involved, and that is a learning process that is unfortunately littered with losing.

Until Steve learns to pass when you get doubled, and plays under control, we are going to struggle. He will learn, I just hope it is soon. (sigh)

DaDakota

"You know why Bird rarely dunked? Because he made the simple layup. Francis could learn a lot from this philosophy"

 

When a player averages almost 7 assists a game that is not being a ball hog. He passed the ball alot tonight. He shot the ball 12 times tonight. That is not hogging the ball.

 

First of all, Drew is playing better than Francis now doesn't mean he is a good player, as he just did it for a few games. So don't get defensive at that. Secondly, I blame Francis for our loss tonight, everyone should be blamed, however, the biggest rock should fall on Francis' head for his horrendous ballhandling. Thirdly, there is no logic behind saying players can't develope their games off bench nor are people giving up a player if he is benched. Forth of all, and worst of all, I don't know if Francis is playing sound defense or not. Fifth of all, I think he doesn't regulate himself at TOs, as a point he should be concious of how many TOs he committed in a game, if he got 5 TOS he should be extra careful with the ball, 8 TOs indicates he is not concious of the TO problem. Will he be a star? definitely. Is he hurting the team with his TOs and bad shot selection? Yes. The TOs has become a pattern and patterns become habbita. That's why he should be benched if he can't cut down TOs in a sustained period. It's not like asking him to score 30 points every night on 10-15 shooting. Turnovers are basically a carefulness or concentrating problem, be a little conservative while not shooting or handling ball well. Is that too much to ask?

 

I think I'll just remember the lesson I learned when I gave Drew praise at the wrong time: Shut up until popular opinion changes.

People here kicked Drew when he was down. They kicked Cat when he was down. They kicked KT until they saw him play. They kick Cato when he has a bad night. They are kicking Walt Williams (and Francis) now.

"Fans, media and even teammates said Larry Bird was a ball hog."--Celtics commentator

[This message has been edited by JeffB (edited December 11, 1999).]

 

Cat is doing ok, but am I hot on him? nope, he is currently shooting under 40%, he showed he can drive at ease and got lots of points off free throws, that doesn't mean he has a nice jumper. Let's wait and see, it's fun to watch a player develope. Cat can be a nice player which I didn't believe before.

[This message has been edited by Finalfantasy (edited December 11, 1999).]

 

jeff b >>> i'll agree a lot of ppl are bandwagoners. I've never been down on Drew, I knew he was a good player. About Stevie, I'm not saying he's a bad player or whatever whatever, but i am saying he REALLY needs to cut down on turnovers. He's a great player aside from that, but unfortunately he picked the wrong category to struggle at. I don't think that's really being "down" on him, it's just an observation. But I do notice that the Rockets, lately, that is, have played much better w/ Drew in the game and I don't think that can be denied. I understand Rookie mistakes. 3 or 4 "mistakes" is understandable, but 8 isn't (and he is consist w/ this high amount)

 

JeffB,

Don't be afraid to voice an opinion. I for one like to read others thoughts, whether I agree with them or not. I never personalize a post. I want to know what others are thinking, knowledge is a good thing.

I have liked Drew from the beginning, and I am only down of Francis because I see a pattern of FANCINESS for FANCINESS sake developing. Don't skip down the court after a dunk when your team is down by 20 points.

SCOREBOARD is all that matters, and right now it is littered with Francis' turnovers.

Francis3 12 shots plus 8 turnovers is HOGGING the ball, or perhaps more conscisly being careless with the ball.

I know it is a growing process, but some players when they come out of college already posess and understanding of how to play TEAM ball...ala Duncan, Drew etc....( A Duncan and Drew comparison..hahah)

I just want Stevie to tone it down, and play under control, and for crying out loud..where did he leave his defense, at Maryland?

DaDakota