So what, it's just the opinions of two more guys. Ya they are on the radio but I give their opinions about as much weight as what Charles Barkley said about Yao when he was a Rookie.
I'm not saying they're right. I just wanted fellow Rockets fans to know what other people are saying. However, I do give them a lot more credibility than Barkley.
Do those two know lots of the NBA? All they talk are the football, and haha. I bet they were not supporting the draft of Yao. The morning show on the radio is worst.
You got to love his passion for the game and his heart. I remember when he got in some player's face backing up Yao and even though that could be seen as a bad thing for getting the technical etc. Also, he got traded and still considers Houston his home and publicly says he wants to come back.
He stepped up in Amare's face if I remember correctly. I thought...whoa there...but I definitely respect the standing up he did.
IMO Francis starting over Alston would make us instant contenders. I honestly don't think there would be much of a difference in terms of "distributing" but there would be tremendous upgrades in scoring, rebounding,defense, quickness, athleticism, and heart from the PG position.
I respectfully disagree. I think Francis would be perfect off the bench. He'd be one hell of a 6th man. He could dribble and work for offense all he wants when Tracy and/or Yao are resting. Better him than whoever else we have on the team when "The Two" are out.
I agree with you that looking at the stats and talent, starting SF is a no brainer. His turnovers woes are greatly exaggerated by some posters on here and is made up for the extra assist and rebounds he provides. However, I'm not sure if our system would fit well with three superstars. Personally, I'd feel more comfortable with keeping the current starters and using SF whenever Yao or McGrady are out. Since both Yao and TMac only average about 33-36 mins per game, that should give SF about 25 mins of playing time. If he shows he can not only score but also distribute at PG, then we might consider him as the starter.
as for the tmac vs steve francis comparisons ... yes tmac was/is better than francis. but please don't go bashing francis and saying how he's not even the best player on the knicks. that's something you'd expect from some eastern conference fan, not a rockets fan. if you really follow francis' play after he was traded ... he was an all-star in orlando that was a key to their success, until their g.m. ruined it all. the second season he struggled and his team wanted to develop jameer and dwight. this season he's on a team sharing his playing time with crawford, marbury and nate, so he's getting 27 min max, getting 10pts, 3 rebs, 4 assists a game, while usually taking only like 7 shots. as for the actual issue ... i am a little biased becuz i've never seen a player with as much wanting to win as francis. but ... i'd say his upside is a lot more than his downside. his shooting seems improved. he's actually a decent spot up shooter now. but like a lot of people have already said, we need someone to be a vocal leader. Plus, he'd be one of the few players on this rockets team that can create his own shot. if he did sign with us, im leaning more to no for starting, at least at first, but let's see how he does with starter's minutes off the bench becuz wen yao and tracy come out of the game, we have no one on this team that can create their own shot. ya, and if he did come to the rockets again, lucas and v-span would prob never get playing time. luther head could still fit in some valuable time. francis would be able to find him beyond the arc.
I want Francis back and him definitely should start over Rafer....But what are his reasons for wanting to play for Houston? Is it simply because he loves it here, or because he used to be the franchise player here? If his reasons for wanting to come to Houston is the same as Tracy's , then come on back home Stevie!!
I really don't know if expectations will match up between Steve and the rocks. Rocks know he is Mr. $1M Body, $0.10 Head ... second-unit guy and towel-waver on this team, could start in a pinch, but nothing more than a role player- at his very best offensively, a Vinny Johnson with ups now that he's on the wrong side of 30. Defensively, still good size, strong and athletic- if he completely emptied himself of Stevie Franchise and channeled JVG, he could muscle up on TParker or JTerry, and you could stick him in Steve Nash's jock and dare the Neanderthal with the Teen Wolf jumper to beat you from outside. Alas, I fear Steve still sees Franchise in the mirror... 'Wink need the ball, dawg...'
Watching Stevie on League Pass last night, I was reminded how gifted he is while having a brutal game. If SF has a return to Houston in his future then he has to first know, and accept, his expected role. He is a roller coaster ride on a team with a (generally) smooth chassis. In my heart I'd love to see him back. I'd love to see him as a b/u 1/2 for 20+ MPG. I'd love to see him in a June Parade thru downtown Houston. But, my head says 'Stevie, go to a bad team and have some fun ballin' 'cause you just ainta winner.'
The length of this thread attests to the passion that Rocket fans have for Francis, positive and negative. This discussion will never be settled one way or the other. To some his stats tell all there is to say. Others seem to buy into the image more than the substance. That is what being a fan is all about. You either love 'em or hate and all that within the time frame of the same game.. For me, my moniker says it all. Only Francis himself can change his legacy by adapting his game and not trying to get his team to adapt to him. After all this time, this does not seem likely.
The reason that works for the Suns because Nash is insane on the assists. I'm sure Francis could be as good, certainly he has the talent, but his mentality isn't that of a pass first point guard. The Sun's offense goes through Nash, a point guard. Our offesne is designed to go through Yao, our center. That's why I don't think having three superstar scorers on the floor will work out well for us.
New Jersey runs the same thing with Kidd, Jefferson, and Carter. The difference between Kidd/Nash and SF should be clear.
Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't Cuttino Mobley a free agent this off season? Wouldn't we be better off with him back on the roster given that he can shoot the 3 AND slash to the basket?
Cuttino isn't a PG. He's a SG. I don't think he's played much point at all. Francis can play both but has traditionally played PG even though he has the scoring ability to be a SG. Right now our lineup has Alston at PG, McGrady at SG, Battier at SF, Hayes/Howard at PF and Yao at C. The weaknesses are at PG and PF. If we get Mobley as the SG, we could move McGrady to SF to keep him in the lineup, but we'd have to drop Battier since Shane can't play PF. Then again, we could use Mobley just as a backup to McGrady or Battier (by moving McGrady to SF), but I think we've already got that in Luther Head.
