Friday? *time warp* not sure that question needs to be answered do you know if Rudy told Steve to shut up after the Cuttino Odom love-fest? If we're getting Ming, and he can't do anything about it (but is upset) why get on TV and talk about it? wouldn't it be better for the Rockets if he just stayed quiet?
That article, while accurate and to the point, deflates my current euphoria about the Rockets situation. Why? Magic > Francis, Worthy > Mobley, Jabbar > Ming (even if he does revolutionize the game it would be like this or close). It's hard to win in professional sports. But you almost always see class acts get it done. The Yankees and Diamondbacks in baseball. The Patriots were led by a "good-ole" boy and a hard working team. Kobe, as much as he angers me, is grounded and mature. The Red Wings had a solid bunch of hard working dedicated professionals. Will Francis ever grow up?
Nice article, Jeff. I'm still not sold on exactly why Francis may be pissed about Yao. He may very well just be concerned that Yao won't help the team in the short-term and he's tired of losing. It may be particularly aggravating if he hears about some awesome deals (not Odom ,#8, #12) like Rocket!!! had posted (Brand, Battier, etc.), trades which could conceivably make the Rockets contenders for home-court advantage in the playoffs next year. I don't know this, of course, and you guys know more than me, but most of us on this BBS are just speculating about why Francis may be pissed. Clutch feels it may be Francis' ego, but he doesn't know that for sure. He may be right, but I'm not going to go off on our franchise player about why he might not be happy until I REALLY know. We're going to need some changes from the team we had last year, injuries aside. I think Yao is the critical addition to make us a true contender at last. I hope that the players we keep can adjust not only to personnel changes but whatever changes on the floor Rudy throws their way. I hope these guys can come together and create something beautiful, something competitive, something to make us go nuts like we did in '94 and '95. I hope these guys can be "Worthy," as you put it.
So your saying that Francis should be Worthy. Come on, I know we need a center and that Ming is the best possible option there is, but there is no way of knowing how good he can be. We need Ming, but if he is our first option on offense, there is no way we are winning. Francis made it clear that he was not the man on this team when Dream was here even though he was our best player. Put yourself in his shoes if he read your article, "I decided to step aside for Dream, now your asking me to step aside for a rookie and a sophomore?" Who is more likely to be a leader on this team? I put Ming in the Kareem category, a quiet giant. Steve is more like Magic because he is confidant and a vocal leader. Well, then it seems that EG would be more like Worthy. Makes sense if you think about who plays what position. There is still no way of knowing what Francis feels or what he said. How do we know that him saying something like "I don't really want Ming," is turned around to Francis is pissed. I think we all need to wait til after the draft before we see what is on the minds of this team. We're going to drive ourselves insane if we keep arguing about speculation. Everybody needs to chill because the truth will come out eventually, whether we like the news or not, will remain to be seen.
Stevie, I recommend Lake Shore Drive. Mies van der Rohe architecture. A drop dead gorgeous view of the lake. Bring a winter coat and snow boots.
Is there solid evidence that Francis is pissed? I really doubt it. If Rudy believes in Steve, then so do I. If Steve is pissed, then I think it is Rudy's job to help out. Note: Rudy can also be CD and crew.
Jeff - That was a sweet article. I am in total agreement. As I responded in another thread on this subject - IMO, Stevie has demonstrated by his PLAY, and not just by his not so subtle ego/attitude that he is NOT the player who will take us to the title . He does not "give it up" every night on both ends of the floor, and he does not have enough vision to understand what it will really take to get past the first round of the playoffs. If we do draft Ming, and Stevie continues to b**** and moan, I will continue to call for a Francis for Andre Miller trade, straight up!!! I will be looking for the news on Ming, and subsequent info on whether Stevie pulls his head out .
It was more of a play on words. I was trying to point out that you don't have to be the singular marketable superstar on your team to gain plenty of fame and notoriety. Anyway, thanks for all the comments everyone. Glad you enjoyed it.
Great, GREAT column Jeff. Loved the comparison with the showtime Lakers. When we first got the #1 pick, I posted in a thread that Ming could end up being similar to Ralph Sampson. Got laughed at by some folks that bothered to read it. I said that I thought he could have his skills, only much stronger and better able to handle the pounding you get in the NBA. Ralph beat those Lakers with that incredible shot in '86. Yes, he had Dream, but I think this team has the potential to be better than the one in '86. Dream wasn't the player then that he later became. They were beaten in the Finals by a Celtics team that was one of the best ever... in 6 games. I think Francis needs to chew on that a little bit. Maybe Steve needs to bone up on NBA history while he recovers from his surgery. He can become as famous as he wants to be with Yao Ming. And it's really up to him.
I know it was a play on words, you know it was a play on words, but I'm asking if you think Francis should be 3rd fiddle.
Is this an issue of maturity which will come with time or is this just the type of guy he is? Hmm... tough to tell.
What a great read! (except for the fakers part ) I would easily trade Steve Francis for James Worthy . I dont know if these rumors are true, but if they are , then Francis is not the type of player you need to win a championship . Hopefully all this is false and Francis will welcome Ming to the team.
