These two items from ESPN Insider (one long, one short): Looking for an assist from the Franchise Steve Francis may be "The Franchise" in Houston, but his ball hogging ways are wearing thin on his teammates. The last couple of years, Francis, along with Cuttino Mobley, was the Rockets' offense. If he didn't have a big night, the Rockets simply could not win. This season it's different. Yao Ming is turning into a beast in the post. Glen Rice is healthy and can knock down 3s. Maurice Taylor is rounding back into playing shape. Eddie Griffin may have more raw talent than anyone on the team. And did we mention that before James Posey was acquired in December, he was the Nuggets' second leading scorer. Times have changed, but Franics is struggling to cope with it. He likes the weight of the world on his shoulders. But his teammates would love to carry some of the load. The Rockets are loaded with talent. The nights of Francis and Mobley combining for 40 shots a game should be over. Shouldn't they? Rice finally spoke up after a tough loss to the Warriors on Saturday. The team has lost six of its last eight. "I'm a strong believer that this team is a much better team," Rice began. "When we play together as a team, moving the ball around and keeping everyone involved, the stats show that we're a much better team, a much more potent team, and we have to do that on a consistent basis. "There's a spot for everything in this offense we're running. It's a motion offense, and it's just up to us to go out there and keep everyone involved and take advantage of the openings that we have. A lot of times we just concentrate on one or two things too often, and teams now gear up to stop the best players on our team. We need something to fall back on." Rice didn't name names, but it was clear that his comments were directed at Francis. While Francis bristled at the notion that he must get Rice more shots -- "You can't do that. I have to make sure everybody gets the ball. ... You just have to analyze the situations, the matchups, and take it from there," -- the fans begged to differ. During one early moment when the Timberwolves took an eight-point lead, a fan could be heard in a quiet Compaq Center pleading with Francis to "pass the ball." Franics listened and the Rockets rolled. Not one Rockets player took more than 13 shots in Tuesday's win. All but one of the nine Rockets who saw the floor took at least five shots. The only one who didn't was named Steve Francis. Francis took just four shots, the fewest of his career. He finished with 14 points and a season-high 11 assists. "This is the way you've got to play basketball," Francis said after the game. "If the shots are there, I'm going to take them. If they're not, I can pass the ball." After the game, Rice just smiled as said, "I told you so." "You can see how easy it was, until the fourth quarter when we fell asleep. It was great to see. It was great to be a part of that. We're learning. We have to continue to look at the games we have gone out and moved the ball around. I just can't stress how important that is for guys. The fourth quarter we were not moving the ball, not getting it inside. That right there will tell the story." 2nd, in an article about the Blazers: While teams like the Lakers and Nets win games with a couple of stars and a gaggle of role players, several NBA teams are pushing the envelope of gluttony this year. Two young teams in particular, the Pacers and Rockets, are wrestling with the blessings and curses of having a plethora of young talented players on their roster. How they deal with it will likely mean the difference from a rollicking playoff ride to an early first round exit.
Rice can't call anyone out. He has one good game out of every 6 we play and he gets his looks, he's just gotta knock them down. And ESPN is killing me. This is the same entity that called EG out for his crappy shooting % and called him our starting SF in their NBA previev issuse of ESPN the Mag, called MoT out and said the bench was weak and that their was virtually no way we'd make the playoffs. I already know they strongly dislike SF and the Cat so its just hard for me to really feel much of what they have to say.
FINALLY SOMEONE STEPPED UP AND TOLD FRANCIS TO PASS THE DAMN BALL!! And the Rockets are FINALLY working as a team! I hope this continues to workout throughout the season.
There is a grain of truth in what you said certainly. However, reading between thelines, this is EXACTLY the type of veteran leadership we need though. Someone who is secure enough to come out and say the tough things. That Francis only took four shots (being that offense is something he takes pride in) speaks volumes about Rice's credibility within the locker room. That the Rockets won convincingly in a game that Francis took 4 shots, wow! I say, get ready for the motion offense, my fellow bbs members! hahaha... sorry can't help being cheesy when I'm excited!
$9 mil/year. And next year is his last on the contract. What kind of value will he have then -- to land a true contributor! In the meantime, knock down some shots, not teammates. And teammates, let's win another 2 1/2 dozen games or so to ensure post-season play!
Steve Francis played like a point guard and it showed how good the Rockets can be. To often the Rockets appear to be playing with 2 shooting guards. I hope this is the start of something big
Well, the way I see it, this year he still has value as a veteran leader. Perhaps playing the role that Reggie Miller is playing in Indiana (see link). Sometimes, such contribution cannot be seen in the stat sheet but is reflected in the win column. http://espn.go.com/page2/s/rosen/030107.html
After the fan yelled out,Rudy was overheard saying,"Nice call. Why didn't I think of yelling out to my guys to pass the ball?"
Stevie would average more assists if Rice just hit his freaking shots. Steve is always looking for him.
Kudos to Stevie for doing the right thing(s). I hope he keeps it up. If that happens it will certain rub off on his team mates no doubt (and the credit will definitely go back to him).
That's a great one A-Train. She's been quiet since he got here,but I guess she's been putting a bug in Glen's ear again.
Rocks are a young team and the only thing hard for them is to keep themselves in consistancy. Francis needs to keep the consistancy on the team, since he is the leader of the pack. If they really want to win into the playoffs then they would atleast try hard with the way they have on last night's game. Francis had no trouble in getting 11 assist in last night's game since he draws so much attention. GO ROCKETS!
