As much as I know there is a feeling that Cuttino this team's version of Vernon Maxwell - icewater in the veins and all heart - I think it is time to explore the concept of Steve Francis as the go-to guy. Rarely does Francis get the opportunity for the last shot yet he is the best player on the team. It is nearly universally accepted that you want the ball in your best player's hands for the last shot. It is time Steve get that opportunity. The last three shots of the game when the Rockets were down three went Bullard, Anderson, Mobley - 0 for 3. Jazz finally get free throws, then Francis gets a three and it goes - loss. I don't care how tough or gritty or daring Mobley is. It is time to see how good our best player is when it counts. ------------------ The way to use life is to do nothing through acting, The way to use life is to do everything through being. - Lao-Tzu
I wholeheartedly agree. The best player on the team needs to get the shot, especially when there is plenty of time. ------------------
Steve should get the shot...did yahl see how bad cuttino missed the basket???? ------------------ Francis for MVP.
I agree. Steve was I think 3-3 in the last 5 min on 3 ptrs. He even hit the one at the buzzer. Why wasn't the ball in his hands to take that three? Why did he drive it? Couldn't he have just stayed back like last time and pulled it? We were so close......yet so far..... ------------------ Francis out top, 9 seconds on the clock, he gives a no look pass to Cuttino Mobley, 4 seconds left, Mobley passes to an open Langhi in the corner with 1 second left! Langhi at the buzzer.......YES!!! How Sweet It Is!!
Steve should be more aggresive and demand the ball a litte more. He started way too late tonight! ------------------
Someone FINALY, finaly understands exactly how I feel. Why is it that Steve NEVER gets the calls down the stretch? And when he does, he doesn't get the ball again after making three good plays in a row. Don't understand it. ------------------ The begining of www.steviefranchise.web.com
I couldn't agree more with everyone. Mobley is Francis's downfall. Francis feels he has to defer to Mobley. Francis needs to get a backbone and say "hey, I'm the man on this team, I take the key shots down the stretch." When Francis finally decides to do that, the Rockets will be tough. ------------------
The first play of the game set the tempo for the Rockets offense this evening: Francis dribbles down the court, passes to Mobley at the top of the key, while the rest of the Rockets stand and watch. That was basically are offensive set through the first quarter until Moochi Norris comes in and Franics has to concede all over again. ------------------
Jeff- I whole-heartedly agree with your post. The Rockets will go nowhere as long as Francis is a second option. ------------------ "Rarely is the question asked: Is our children learning how to put food on their family while being put to death."
Francis is not the second option. Francis is the third option behind Moochi Norris. ------------------
whoo, you said it all. Just when Cuttino goes out and Moochie comes in, I'm thinking now Steve will get the damn ball ,but what happens? Mooch running a "brilliant" 2 man game between himself and matt bullard? I've become accustomed to seeing Cuttino have ISO's late in the game, but in the 1st quarter??!! I think alot of yall are overlooking the fact that Moochie has been playing pretty badly lately and that Rudy has way too much confidence in him. I dont think that Steve had control of the rocks offense for the entire 2nd quarter as he had to concede to not only Cuttino but also Moochie. It's very frustrating ------------------
Good teams go-to good players. The Rockets would be a good team if they went to Steve. ------------------ "Rarely is the question asked: Is our children learning how to put food on their family while being put to death."
I have a question about Cat's shot....Was there a timeout called to design a play or did the Rox just inbound the ball and let Cat have the shot? BTW I agree Steve should be the first option,the worst thing happened in Cat's fiirst year when Cat hit that buzzer beater (against SA if im not mistaken) now he wants the shot and Rudy doesn't have what it takes to tell him the shot or at least the ball should be in Steve's hands. ------------------ Now chew through my ball sack
Actually, Cat grabbed a rebound, headed down court without calling time and heaved the shot up when he couldn't make a pick and roll with Bullard work. ------------------ The way to use life is to do nothing through acting, The way to use life is to do everything through being. - Lao-Tzu
Question from somebody that can't watch the games : Is the fact Steve isn't taking final shots or "taking charge" late in the game in any way due to the opponent maybe doubling him early or trapping him? Or perhaps just denying him the ball once it's out of his hands? That would leave the ball in someone else's hand for the end-game... Or is it really that Steve is open, but just doesn't take the shot or doesn't have plays run his way? ------------------ "Christ, it's not as if Steve pissed on a guy!!!!!" -- cson makes a return to my quotable sig as he comments on how Steve Francis should not be T'd up for slapping the backboard on a dunk...speak loudly cson, you rock!
While it should be the Coach's job to get the ball to his best player late in the games, Steve has had to take that responsibility upon himself. Thats the thing that really pisses me off is that Steve finally took charge of this team at the end of this game and didnt get a chance to seal the deal. Oh, and to answer your question, he had to take the game into his own hands, no plays were run for him. He took a pullup 3 to start the comeback. Also they were showing a double team on the pick and roll but Steve usually could beat it and they werent doing any defensive schemes to keep the ball out of his hands ------------------ [This message has been edited by tacoma park legend (edited January 06, 2001).]
Steve has shown the ability to take over a game completely (whether through scoring, rebounding, passing, etc.). But he shouldn't always have a point guards mentality when he chooses to not get himself involved when it is such a blatant mismatch in the Rockets favor. Steve isolating against Stockton/Vaughn as opposed to Cuttino isolating against one of the better defenders in the league Bryon "Byron" Russell has got to make more sense to any Rox fan. If Steve continues to defer to others when the opponent who is defending him has no chance of keeping up defensively, then it will only hurt the Rockets. ------------------ "Cuttino is all heart, and no brain. It just occurs to me that he is the Scare Crow from the Wizard of Oz."- a wise observation from Dadakota
