His game always relied on certain amount of bravado. I think the early benching and current short leash led to his bravado being gone. You can see it in the way he's playing which is even more restrained then his last year with JVG. There was that position where Andre Miller was doubling off of Yao and he was wide open from the three point line, instead of shooting it, he pumped fake a pass to Yao, then passed it to Yao in the post. Even though he isn't the best 3 point shooter out there, it's a shot he can hit, and when he was open for 5 seconds, it's a shot he should shoot. I think his confidence is gone, and with that, a large part of his game.
I'm not sure it's that simple. He's also adjusting to a role as (at best) the third scorer. I'm sure he's consciously trying not to throw up too many shots in order to play within the system. Unfortunately, that's unnatural for Francis who has had the green light for the bulk of his career (even if not in New York).
I dont think it's confidence. I think he is just a bit conscious about not being seen as he's playing like a franchise. he wants to pass more, especially to tmac.
Francis played like an old man. Matt Bullard said Francis got stiff knees. Francis's driving looked like in slow-motion to me and he was not even pushing the ball up-court. *sigh* Hope Francis get better soon and play better.
I'm the last person to defend poor performances, but I honestly think Francis is injured but gutted it out.
i can't blame francis for not playing with no fire. when your job is to be a role player to 2 "super" stars. and they aren't playing with fire, you just lose the feel for that game. mike james didn't care either, he turned the ball over, and A.I. got the ball for an easy dunk. no one even tried to get back. i hope that run at the end of the game, teaches the team and the coaches that it is not always about tmac. i hope adelmen will talk to tracy 1 on 1.
I think Steve is afraid to mess up and lose his spot in the rotation. Therefor, he can't even play his game. Basically, it seems as if he can't do anything right. Before he got time, everyone was saying he's a ballhog, he's selfish, he can't play in this system, ect. Then after he got time and showed that he can be the PG that we need. But then he's giving up open shots and almost passing too much. In his defense, he's doing what he's suppose to do. Get the ball to your other teammates, mainly Yao and T-Mac. But in the past two games, those two haven't stepped up. He's stuck between being the PG that coach wants, and being what we really need, a player that will play with some balls. Probably the toughest we've seen this team is when Steve gives out a hard foul. How is it that a 6'3 PG is the only player on this team that knows how to foul correctly?
Yes it is gone but his game is gone a bit too. I think if they are going to comeback it will be as a pair.
It is shocking to see him play so bad and so hesitant. I do think he is trying to not shoot too much or dribble too much and to defer to T Mac. He also could be playing hurt as he seemed at least more energetic before he hurt his back. He also could me more out of shape than he appears. Rafer is not the answer for us; unfortunatley nor is it Stevie trying to imitate Rafer.
I just want to say:the coach can not control the team efficiently. The one reason includes there are many super-stars in this team.Sometimes, coach can not solve the problem wheather winning games depend on individaul super-stars or the whole group.the other reason, I think there are some conflict between these stars. I think the spirit of teamwork is not strong, using a word to describe it -----"terrible". so i think the coach must sovle these problems(actually the problems are not only two as mentioned above) immediately.Constuct a "new team" with a new leader -----Yao, rather than Mc. and i hope the manager can change some stars to alter the conditions. and improving the aware of competition.
Francis is a lot like Marbury in that they're both not effective when they have to think for themselves. The only way Francis can succeed is if he's in a structured offense where the coach instructs him what to do. Shoot here, drive here, etc... We saw some semblance of this when he played for JVG, but when he gets free reign, its a train wreck. Some players can think on the spot and easily get in the flow of the game, but others not so much.
That's cause Steve got benched. Steve is best at pushing the ball, finding the seams and driving. Now he's too scared of making a mistake and passing the ball off. Not good not good.
There was one play where Francis picked up his dribble as soon as he crossed halfcourt to pass to Yao in the highpost, and as soon as he picked up his dribble Andre Miller sagged off him to double Yao and Francis was stuck. i literally said "WTF ARE U DOING?". You don't pick up your dribble before deciding to shoot or pass. that is middle school stuff right there.
I was thinking about this last night. He came into the league with something to prove, with a chip on his shoulder. He had his BFF Cat here to pump him up. Now he's got to find that inner fire.
