Teams go through periods much like nations, rock bands, and television shows. You have your Trapper John/Henry/Frank Burns M.A.S.H., and your B.J., Col. Potter, and Winchester M.A.S.H. Now at the time change is usually met with resistance, but after a while it is usually measured on it's own merits rather than against that which came before. To a degree, this is and has been true of the recent edition of the Houston Rockets; The Cat and Franchise Show. Coming after the Dream era, and the time of The Big Three, as it did, the C&F edition of the Rockets was at first greeted with open arms, as it represented youth and excitment where before it had plodded age and poise, but after a while it became aparent that we fans cared less how we walked so long as we got there, and this team didn't get far. There were excuses, of course, and there were moments of fantastic athleticism, but the times when the Rockets under Steve and Cuttino's leadership played great basketball were few and far between. The came two huge changes, Yao and the departure of Rudy T. The next chapter in the Rockets' saga has yet to be written, and at this stage can only be guessed at, but one of the most telling plot twists will be whether or not we will see a page turned over entirely, with the departure of Mobley, or whether we will see both leading characters written into the new story line. In other words, with the new direction, the new system, and the new focus for the offense, can Cat and Steve continue to co-exist on this team and ultimately be successfull? Are Mobley and Francis the makings of a championship level backcourt when coupled with a dominant big man, or do we need to break them up and go in a new direction? Positives Francis and Mobley have undoubted chemistry together, and understand each others' games, such as they are. On paper a former point guard should be a capable compliment to Francis, and offensively they are both dangerous with the ball in their hands. Mobley is a pretty good shooter, and could feed off of the inside outside game even better than Francis. Cat also showed a willingness and ability to defend at times last year, and any backcourt with Steve Francis has to have at least on defender in it, and that ain't gonna be Steve. Each works hard at his game, at least physically, and neither has any significant off court problems that we are aware of. Together they are among the quickest backcourts in the game. Negatives Size is a key issue that has never been fully addressed by scheme. While Cat stepped up last year, the combination os a very poor defensive backcourt. But the biggest negative, as I see it, is that they have very similar strengths and weaknesses, and that tends to be more of a negative than positive. Their mutual strengths, quickness, shot variety, 1st step, and athleticism often cancel each other out, as only one can operate that way at a time (when they have the ball), and their weaknesses, namely decision making, shot consistency, defense, and ball protection compound themselves to such a degree that we often witness Moochie Norris, of all people, brought in to settle the offense down. In my opinion, for these two to work as an effective backcourt on a center oriented team, each will have to make adjustments in their games, and at least one of them will have to have a complete overhaul. I am interested in how others perceive this issue playing itself out. You can hold back and say " Wait and see what JVG does, but I am not sure that coaching can overcome some of the inherant mutual weaknesses, and I remain sketpical that Cat can continue to be as valuable an asset to this team as a starter, given the new direction, as he could as a trade asset or 6th man. I know this has been discussed before, but a lot of things I am hearing, both on and off the record suggest that the Cat and Franchise Show may very well be about to be broken up sometime in the near future, and I think that it is a very salient point worthy of discussion right now, as opposed to what our new uniforms are gonna look like, or whether or not we should trade for Superstar X...This is a very immedite concern for the team as it stands, and as such should be foremost among the Rockets' issues of the day. Please don't turn this into Yao vs. Steve, or just general Cat bashing...it's not about who sucks, etc. It's about whether the pieces fit together as they stand, and if so how, and if not, what can be done. Have we seen the end of the Cat and Franchise Show? And, if so, a second question: How do you rate it as it was, considering all the tought times they saw us through and/or caused?
Love the M*A*S*H comparison I do think that we have to give Van Gumby some time with the current lineup and maybe some minor changes. Given a shorter leash, Mobley could be the player we always hoped he'd be. They definetly need to add a vet or 2 (a Jon Barry type) to help out in the locker room and remind the younger players that the ball needs to go through Yao and movenment around him will make us an impossible team to defend (as long as the shots go down). EG needs to be told (and I think Van Gumby will beat it into his head) that he is not a 3-point shooter and to play more with his back to the basket or making cuts to get passes from Yao. Otherwise, I think we have the core that can go to the playoffs next season and work their way to a title in the next 3-5 years.
very well put, MacBeth. IMO, a coaching change will not be enough to overhaul Cat's game (let's not even talk about trading Francis). I'm sure Rudy tried to instill what was needed out of him, but Cat continued to play to his strengths (shooting/slashing when he felt like it, forsaking teammates who might have better position), and who could blame him? The NBA is a business and players are commodoties; as such, Cat needs to look out for #1. Hopefully the ROX and JVG recognize this and trade him while he still has ample value.
Nice points, but you know, you might want to consider hiring a publisher for these things. Good LORD that was long!
Great post, as always MacBeth. I really feel like Mobley should as least get a chance under Van Gundy, but if it's obvious by the All Star break that he can not work within an offense built around Yao, then he has got to be traded.
Granted, I'm not 100% sure that this duo will work together in the long run. However, Rudy is the only NBA coach either one of these guys have ever played for. Perhaps Rudy DID try to get them to play smarter, perhaps not. Maybe he just gave up. Personally, I'm willling to give them another 1/2 season together. I still maintain that Rudy's ISO offense had a lot to do with Cat's style of play. Maybe not a popular opinion here, but I still believe it. I say we wait until the All Star break and if we still see the same problems that have plagued us for the last few years, THEN do something. Cat will still have good trade value in a 1/2 season.
until yao shows that he can become the man on this team, i dont think that we should trade one of the few proven parts to our team. cat is a 20 ppg scorer and a cheap one at that. cat doesnt have to overhaul his whole game by any means. if we have an offense where cat's job is to spot up, cut to the basket, or break down his man should he have to you play to his strengths. put it this way, yes wink and cat are very similar but they can utilized differently. once the offense has started, cat should look to can open jumpers from yao (post) or steve (penetration) from the outside (a la kenny smith). steve should play a role similar to Clyde's wherein he drives and kicks and shoots the outside J depending on the situation. basically take away the opportunities for cat to freeze out teammates, when he has the ball let him shoot it (but he'll be seeing much less of it).
A good post, M.B. I wish I had the most recent issue of TSN here. Sean Deveney posted and answered a question from a Houstonian who was disgruntled (re: p.o.'d) about the way the team finished, not getting the ball to Yao, how Steve and Cat ball-hogged. And Sean Deveney answered that the Rockets were set up that way when Hakeem retired, that Steve and Cat could dominate the ball. That was the team. Ball-hogs? Maybe, yes, but they were encouraged to be. When Rudy went down with cancer, the reins he held so loosely were discarded altogether, and Yao lost touches. (He also wore down, which might have contributed, too, to the guards looking away from him.) But now with Yao, the team needs to focus on having a Steve-Yao axis, Yao in the low post, Steve driving to the hoop; and get shooters to surround the two....i.e., Cuttino should be moved if the trade is correct and, if possible, EG with him. Nothing ground-shaking, but relevant.
A show that lacks popularity and suffers from weak ticket sales will not be funded for long. If that's the criteria, and to Les, it's a big factor, then the Steve and Cat show should be winding down. The show was temporarily interesting to a town that has seen Rox teams dominated by big men for decades. However, the excitement generated by the new brand of basketball waned quickly because of lack of success and winning, which is and should be the ultimate rating criteria. Right now, I rate it a 4 out of 10. The below average rating is based on the disappointing inability of Francis and CAt to grow into team leaders and players last year. There is a legitimate chance that Cuttino will not wear the Rox new unis. I think we're shopping Cuttino, Griffin, Cato and Rice being shopped more heavily than anyone can imagine. All the public statements to the effect that the Rox are standing pat -- how many articles in the Chron have we seen about that? -- tell me that we are actively trying to make that big multiplayer deal, that Big Splash. The Rox brass would trade anyone not named Francis or Yao for Brand, and I believe it's being pursued. I found the Clippers draft choices interesting and, at the risk of stating the obvious, they won't be bringing back Kandiman. There is a substantial risk that the Clippers will lose Miller and Magette this year as well, with little or no compensation. Cuttino, Griffin and Cato would fill many of the ostensible criteria for dealing with the Clippers: cheap young talent, a serviceable center. However, if there's no big splash to be made, nothing happens. Les relies on JVG to force the guard tandem to play less stupidly, at least enough to get into the playoffs. Mobley will not be moved for the sake of change. MacB - check your email. I'd appreciate your thoughts.
Yeah, I agree. I'm not pointing fingers here...and it can pretty easily be argued that Steve and Cat are products of their environment in a basketball sense...but my point is I am unsure whether getting Cuttino to alter his game to fit the new system is A) possible, or B) the best use of his abilities even if you get past A.
MacBeth you are to be commended, especially for your fine writing on the very touchy subject of the Mobes and Franchise Show. The fact that JVG, after seeing the tapes,has decided to keep Francis and Mobley, they should get another year. Also I dont think Yao Ming will be ready to take on the leadership of this team for a couple of seasons. The Rockets will be improved and might make the playoffs but JVG is taking on one heck of a job in tackling the Guard situation. MOBLEY-Outstanding player, can shoot and defend with the best of players but dribbles too much,makes bad decissions, he seldom passes the ball, doesn't trust his team -mates especially the Center. Will need to change his mind set and realise that he alone can never carry the team.Can the Cat be happy being a role player? FRANCIS- A great Player, athlete and shooter. dribbles too much, a poor passer, avoids playing defence especially on his man, tries to do too much causing him to be distracted from performing his required function as Point Guard. Doesnt know how to set up other players and has a tendancy to shoot first before passing. Must change his mind set, be happy and content with the money and reputation ,but must come to terms with the fact that his Team is moving towards being A Center Dominated Team in two or three seasons. If he makes the changes and helps the Center to attain his best playing years with the Rockets, then I can only see success for Steve Francis. The Guards and their team must play as one, the most important stat should start with the letter [W]....Go Rockets!
Cuttino has made adjustments/improvements/changes to his game every year, why will this year be anything different, but i suppose the same again from Steve is ok.
So please, quote the whole thing again. For future reference, only quote relevant portions of text. The less the better. I expect things to be different next year. Right now, it seems like the calm before the storm- JVG brought in all of his guys to be the coaches, and I expect at least some players he wants to be added as well. High profile coaches like JVG simply don't maintain the exact same roster rom the lotto team before. Anyone else noticed JVG is "inaccessible"? TV has had a good deal of CD, talking about Badiane and Ewing, but I haven't seen JVG with any quotes about even any of the recent minor developments. We definitely know he isn't taking the summer off, because that just isn't in his persona. It also seems like Mobley is keeping a lower profile- maybe it was the ankle surgery, or more maturity, but last year he was doing the talk shows (the memorable I'd rather have Odom on TBDSSP), and he was interviewed for the local TV shows a lot at Westside. I think at the very minimum your "F&C" show will be limited because they won't play as many minutes. Both should probably play 3-5 MPG less than they did, and I'm sure that shoring up the depth will be a top priority for the staff this summer. That, plus an increased role for Yao (and hopefully EG can take a bigger load) should change things up a little bit.
the big question that i have in this debate is this: weren't wink and cat our best players LAST year? i mean i understand, and i have to think that they do too, that yao is where this team is going, i mean, how can you watch anything rox or nba related without seeing yao ming? i think maybe too many people are fixated on what yao is going to be and not what he was this past year. somebody mentioned in another thread a point where cat was yelling at yao to get into the game, that isn't the mark of somebody freezing yao out. simply, cat and steve were the best players on the team and therefore were the people responsible for taking many of the shots. yao's effectiveness waned the longer the game went late in the season, which another reason he saw less of the ball late. maybe i am wrong, but i really think that the better yao gets the less we'll see of cat controlling the O. the best part is that cuttino will still be able to produce pretty big numbers b/c he'll see many more easy shots. in regards to steve, i think that steve did a pretty good job of trying to involve his teammates last year. i think we all know that steve can improve as a pg. the last play of the LA game were steve dumped the last second shot into yao for the lay in was an indicater of the kind of player steve francis is. the more our guards and yao mature with each other, the more i think we'll the puzzle pieces fit.
