http://www.basketballnews.com/content/nba/nba_set.asp?main=one_030501.asp ---------------- ne-on-One Francis becomes the leader of surging Rockets By Mark Rich, Senior editor March 5, 2001 He’s Stevie Franchise. In just his second year in the NBA, Steve Francis has become the man on the Houston Rockets. Even with future Hall of Famer Hakeem Olajuwon on the floor, the Rockets are Francis’ team now, and he’s been leaving up to the challenge. Just a year after finishing out of the postseason, the Rockets are making a push to get into the playoffs in the strong Western Conference, with Francis leading the way, with team-high averages in points, assists, steals and minutes. BasketballNews.com recently caught up with Francis to get his thoughts on the differences between his rookie season and this year, what the resurgence of Olajuwon means to the Rockets, and whether or not Houston can make the postseason. BasketballNews.com: This year being your second season in the league, can you compare it at all to your rookie season, where at this point of the campaign, a lot of guys talk about hitting the wall? Steve Francis: I think I’m definitely in better shape. I’ve put on 10, 11, 12 pounds. And I’m playing more under control. I think when you first come into the NBA, you’re all about hype, you’re definitely excited to be a professional basketball player, and at the same time, you don’t really pay attention to what you’re doing for the longevity of the season. You’re just thinking about right now. I think changing that has helped me out a whole lot. BN: How about your understanding of the game? The NBA is obviously totally different from college. Do you feel like you know this game better this season? Francis: I do. I definitely feel like I know the game. I’m not on top at all times, but I think I know the game enough to know what I can do, and know what my teammates can do. And I really think that’s helped me out a lot, learning from my coach, learning from my teammates and learning from other guys that I know that play in the NBA. BN: It’s been a bit of a change with this team, where you’re the guy getting interviewed as opposed to last year when you shared the spotlight with Charles Barkley and Hakeem. How has it been to be the man the media focuses on on this team? Francis: You’ve just got to learn the right things to say (laughing). You’ve got to represent your team well. You’ve got to learn the right things to say, and you have to be open. And I think that’s something that I’ve inherited and I’m willing to take on that role. BN: Let’s talk about the Rockets. You’re on the outside looking in at the playoffs right now, but you’re playing real well lately. Can you make the postseason? Francis: I think we can. And I’m pretty sure there are plenty of teams that feel like, ‘We can get in the playoffs,’ but we have to take care of what the Rockets have to take care of and not worry about what everybody else does. Just do our own thing and we’ll be fine. BN: How much does it help you to have a presence inside like Hakeem, both offensively and defensively, where you can gamble more? Francis: I can do a lot of gambling defensively. My steals are up, my assists are up, my rebounds are up, my scoring is up since he’s been back playing great. With a guy like that in the middle who commands that much attention with an automatic double-team, that’s great for the rest of us. BN: Like you say, your numbers are up this year, but what do you want to improve on personally? Francis: Everything. Just becoming more of a leader. I can’t add anything more important than the leadership. Anybody can be a leader, but the leadership role is something that I definitely want to get down pat. BN: Talk to me about your backcourt mate, Cuttino Mobley. Another young guy like yourself that is playing really well… Francis: Well, he can’t be the sixth man of the year anymore because he’s starting all the games. A lot of people didn’t know that Cuttino was capable of doing what he does. He’s our big-play guy. When we need a bucket, he’s the guy we go to late in the game. A lot of people are really starting to open their eyes and respect Cuttino’s game. ----------------- ------------------ Charles Barkley on TBS on the "fat track" poll: "What? 47% said I'd gain more.....why those.....they better be glad this is a family show."
So, many people say Rudy is stretching the truth about Mobley being a star Boylen's 60% success rate stat is weird and unverifiable. Doc Rivers is just being nice. Lenny Wilkens is still trying to woo Mobley. So, is Francis just being nice saying Mobley is "our big-play guy". How many quotes do Rockets fans need about the great player that is Mobley, until we accept it? Yeah, they are all saying it just to make Mobley feel better. Bask in the glory that is Mobley, or you are missing the true joy of being a Rocket's fan.
Amen. ------------------ Charles Barkley on TBS on the "fat track" poll: "What? 47% said I'd gain more.....why those.....they better be glad this is a family show."
I have seen the light that is Cuttino Mobley. ------------------ "Rarely is the question asked: Is our children learning how to put food on their family while being put to death."
I only needed to see a crunch time situation without Mobley so see how important he is to the Rockets. ------------------ "Rarely is the question asked: Is our children learning how to put food on their family while being put to death."
