I find it a little unsettling that the consensus on this BBS, is that the Rockets should continue on this lackluster brand of basketball, and get a good pick in the draft this summer. It is true that the Rockets now stand at getting a high pick. It is also true that the Rockets have a young talented nucleus. However, if the Rockets should fail to make the playoffs this year, do you all think that Steve Francis is going to want to stay here with the Rockets who still have yet to make the playoffs with him in a Rockets uniform? Now I know I'll probably get flamed for this but its a realistic possibility that Steve could bolt for greener pastures, and perhaps a place he could win at. I hate to bring it up, but Washington, will be way under the cap during Francis' free agency class. My thinking is that the Rockets need to show Steve something to keep him here, and in my thinking besides a few glimmering moments, the Rockets haven't shown much.
This keeps being brought up time and time again. The combination of Francis and Griffin has endless potential. I think all really good teams are built around a two great players. Kobe/Shaq, Malone/Stockton, Payton/Kemp, Jordan/Pippen...I can envision the same thing happening here. Once again you seem to forget the injuries that have hurt this team. Mo Taylor and Glen Rice were counted on being two big pieces of this team. Not to mention when Francis went down for a month and the Rockets went on that horrible streak. I'd like to think they would have won at least half of those games, but who's to say? Bottom line: I think it's too early to try to get into Steve's head. There are possible trades to be made and free agents to sign before Francis has to make that decision. Why worry about it now? OS
OS, your point is well-taken, and valid. However, the Rockets continue to show many flaws. What is the Rockets' offensive scheme? They live and die with the jumpshot, how many times were they denied access to the bucket, and settled for a bad jumper. Where is the Rockets' defensive scheme? They have none. (Well maybe except Griffin) Why does Cat continue to make rookie mistakes? Why does Moochie have to take all the air out of the ball, and wait until the extreme last second to take a bad shot? (He's done it more times that just tonight) This team has alot of growing up to do, regardless of injury, this team needs to mature if it is going to fulfill its great potential, and I think Steve is aware of this.
Francis has a huge impact on the success of the team. When all is said and done, we can only go as far as Francis can take us. Lately, Steve has just not been getting it done. I know injuries and headaches can't be helped, but it is up to Steve to take us to the next level. If we don't make it to the playoffs, it is partially his fault. Therefore, he should not bolt somewhere else just because we fail to make the playoffs.
