Wow, what a game. Thought I'd pass along this morning's column to mark the occasion. http://blogs.houstonpress.com/ballz/2007/11/rockets_vs_suns_steve_francis.php As always, thanks so much for reading and for your feedback (both positive and negative). JCF
This is your best shared piece. So far. BTW - Stevie will never be Manu, and that's OK. The post-game he did with (matched sized Bull and Worrell, as if) was vintage Stevie. Seriously, who can not want the guy to succeed?
trust me, I am well aware Stevie will NEVER be Manu. If it seemed I was insinuating such a thing, that was never the intent. I just meant that if he somehow becomes a poor man's Ginobili, I think pretty much everyone in the Rockets organization would be doing backflips. Glad you liked the piece, xiki. Although personally, I don't think I'll be posting anything better than my Daryl Morey feature (from a month back) for awhile. Thanks again. JCF
This was very different from the Morey piece. This had its own flavor. BTW - You can analogize Stevie and ManuManu all you want (just leave the Donaghy references out LOL).
No two players in the NBA are alike, even the two Barry's and definitely not the two Bowen's. But the good results that Stevie was making was ginobili-like, that's what the author I believe was trying to say.
I agree [with the article] completely. SF3 is a great player and I was completely stoked to have him back as a Rocket. I was one of the few who chanted "WE WANT STEVE", screaming irately at the television screen. While I think the world of him, I never wanted him to truly be a starter. I think he is a great switch for Rafer and thats pretty much it. He brings heart and intensity to any situation, but that doesn't mean he's starter material. As long as that is his role, he can't screw up. The catch is, you can't ask more of him than that.
Hi JCF, While I liked your article for the most part, I think the wishing for Steve to be what we need off the bench ala Ginobili style is not what this teams is gonna need to compete for a championship. In order to compete for the crown, we need Steve in his best shape, able to contribute 35 plus minutes a night, starting, penetrating, dishing, rebounding and playing better D than in his past. I hope you don't still think like Rick Adelman has suggested by his starting lineup, that Rafer can be our starting point guard come playoff time. I know he has had a couple of good games, but we know that these aberrations will not last for too long. We need a stronger person mentally and physically in the point guard position to contend in the West alone, let alone for the crown. On this team, Steve is our best answer. Barring us getting someone else in a trade, come crunch time, playoff time....Steve has to be starting and running this teams offense for the other teams to not overplay and crowd Yao and Tracy. Add Scola to the mix, and you have a championship year on the way!
The NBA is historic for how every draft eligible player is: The Next Bird (if white), The Next Dirk (if Int'l), The Next Jordan (if delirious) etc etc. It is an artform. See: Croshere; Van Horn; Boki (The Next Peja); Ron Harper; The Shaq of the Mac; Tsishkivilli (not around long enough to learn how to spell the name); so on, and so forth. I had no problem with a Ginobli comparison beyond not seeing it. It's a no-biggie to me. I just didn't want Stevie pushing Amare hard - and getting traded again!
Yes, I feel you brother!! You can see it on the bench when Stevie (and the team in general) makes a big play. Everyone is up and cheering and being very supportive. I'm so happy for Stevie right now. If we can consistently get this type of production from the bench we'll be very hard to beat.
it was just great to see the rockets take down the suns, especially after that home game a few weekends back.
Wow ESPN quoted you on their page! On NBA frontpage sort of, with the picture of Francis: Link Clearly can see ESPN gets their Rocket info from Clutchfans, Houston Press, or Chron.
Late to the party, but another great article. Keep up the good work. Between your articles and Clutch's recaps, there's no reason in the world to read the Chronic anymore. In fact, I just deleted my bookmark and added one for the HP.
