I just wanted to do a little poll since it seems like Rafer is getting heat again and folks are worried that he will not be enough to help the Rockets in the playoffs.
Nice poll, I would've voted Francis but he's not a true PG and with seeing Brooks he's definetly going to be the best since.
I think you meant Francis is a better athlete than either of those guys. As a PG, I would easily put Cassell ahead of Francis in terms of how he makes his team better. If you only look at Cassell's short time in Houston as a young player compared to Francis' peak years as an NBA player in Houston, then your opinion is more understandable.
Sura was barely starting material. I appreciated his heart as much as the next guy, but like Rafer, he was a starter in Houston because we had few other options. I don't know the exact numbers but I don't believe he was a starter for most of his career.
If we had a healthy Sura last year, there would be no doubt in my mind that we would've gone past the first round.
I voted Sura. He was the best point guard out of that group. Francis was the most talented player but I just think Bob did a better job of running the team and filling in what other guys were not providing on any given night whether it be points, rebounds, hard nose defense or assists. A lot of people who never saw the guy play didn't realize he was a triple double threat on any night.
Sorry to post twice but I think the best way to describe Sura is Shane Battier's glue with more "tangibles" and a mean streak.
I really miss Sura. This guy gets a lot of love from this board and it's well deserved. Too bad he only lasted a season.
I remember when we played that first game vs Orlando in 2005 and Sura just punked Francis. I mean Steve put some numbers up but Sura had numbers and the better game
KENNY. Paper: HOUSTON CHRONICLE Date: MON 12/27/1993 Section: Sports Page: 1 Edition: 3 STAR Rockets, Smith get back on track By EDDIE SEFKO Staff INGLEWOOD, Calif. -- Who would have thought the Los Angeles Lakers would ever represent the rose between two thorns? The Rockets, looking fresh as a daisy and confident as ever despite two consecutive losses for the first time this season, took advantage of this petal-soft spot in the schedule by plucking a 118-93 victory from the Lakers on Sunday night at the Forum, which in no way resembles the lively joint it was in the Lakers' glory days. Kenny Smith poured in a career-high 41 points on 16-of-24 shooting as the Rockets took charge in the second quarter and ran out to a 71-50 lead in the third quarter. They completely took the Lakers out of the game and stopped the two-game skid that included Saturday's 111-91 loss at Phoenix. Considering the Rockets head to Seattle next for Tuesday's matchup with the Pacific Division-leading SuperSonics, Sunday's game was nothing short of a must-win situation. There's no disgrace in losing to the Suns or Sonics these days. But the Lakers? They don't have a 9-18 record for no reason. The Rockets were ushered to the winner's circle by Smith, who added six assists, four rebounds, three steals and only one turnover in 43 minutes. Perhaps even more impressive is that he even called his shot to teammate Vernon Maxwell. "I haven't been playing my game," said Smith, who on Sunday raised his scoring average from 9.1 points per game to 10.6. "I was playing too conservatively. I told Vernon after we lost to Phoenix that that was the last game you'd see me play like that. If I'm going to go down, I'm going to go down playing my game. "And I felt more aggressive from the start in this game." It was noticeable to Maxwell, too. "He has to perform for us to be as good as we want to be," Maxwell said. "He told me he was going to be more aggressive, and I kept telling him all through the game that he had to be more aggressive. He made his first few shots, and they were tough shots. Then, I just kept telling him to be more aggressive. "He has to play with aggressiveness or he's a mediocre player. He can't help this team unless he goes at it like he did tonight." Because of Smith's performance, the Rockets improved to 23-3 and made sure the losing streak didn't have a chance to grow. "That losing stuff is no fun," said coach Rudy Tomjanovich. "Kenny was just phenomenal, and we really needed it." The Rockets had assured themselves and anyone who would listen that two consecutive losses were nothing to get worked up about. They definitely were the not-yet-ready-to-panic Rockets. Even when the first quarter produced a good showing by the Lakers, the Rockets stuck to their guns and their game plan. By halftime, they had pulled ahead 55-44, gaining all of that cushion in the second period. They were in need of a soft touch on whom they could vent the frustrations of back-to-back losses to Denver and Phoenix. The Lakers were perfectly suited to fill that role. Smith had 11 of his points in the first quarter, and he, Maxwell and Carl Herrera combined for 19 of the Rockets' 31 second-quarter points. Tied at 24 as the second period opened, the Rockets never trailed after Smith started the quarter with a 3-pointer. Smith had been struggling for several games, but he was on fire from all angles and ranges Sunday. He hit eight of 11 shots in the first half, including two from 3-point range. But the two most impressive points came on a rare offensive rebound. Hakeem Olajuwon hit a free throw but missed the second with 2:43 left in the half. Smith slipped in and tipped in the miss. Smith had five offensive rebounds all season before the tip-in. That basket put the Rockets up 47-41, and after Elden Campbell committed a turnover, Maxwell canned a 3-pointer for a nine-point advantage. By the end of the half, the Rockets had outscored the Lakers 11-3 down the stretch. Herrera, who has been nagged by a sore right knee, gave the Rockets a valiant performance off the bench. He hit all three of his shots and had seven points to go with a pair of rebounds in the first half. The Rockets figured they had the Lakers back on their heels, and the early moments of the third quarter proved it. Otis Thorpe scored two quick baskets, and when Smith broke into the clear for a breakaway layup, the Rockets were up 61-44 with only 1:33 gone in the quarter. The Lakers got within 63-50, but Olajuwon's layup with 6:38 left started the Rockets on an 8-0 run that included a dunk and two free throws by Thorpe. Though Los Angeles closed within 80-66 going into the fourth quarter, the Rockets never were seriously threatened. Smith and Olajuwon made sure of that. When the Lakers crept within 82-71, Olajuwon broke through a crease in the lane for a short jump hook. Vlade Divac scored for the Lakers, but Smith uncorked a 16-footer. When Campbell's slam made it 86-75, Smith responded by cutting to the basket for a layup, putting him over the 30-point barrier. After that, it wasn't a question of whether the Rockets would win, but by how much. They moved out 95-77 with 6:25 to play, and Smith then scored on a layup and was fouled. His three-point play put the Rockets up by 21 points.
