He didn't make that much noise in Cleveland. I have relatives from the area that followed the Cavs back then. People like him, as usual, but he wasn't anything special at all. He played 27 games for Atlanta. I remember that season. He got the starting role and played well but Sura was at best an average NBA PG. We got Sura at the very end of his career. That is correct. And that was only his second full season as a starter. What does that tell you? Yes, he was a pretty smart player. Yes, he was a hard-working player. No, he was not a very good PG at any point in his career. He was an average PG at his peak.
Cat. Not that he was great as a point guard, but I would trade any of those players for a '99 Mobley and just have someone else run the offense.
yet a great defender, a 100% effort and hustle guy, a good crunch time shooter and had a mental and physical toughness that set the tone for our team...a lockerroom and on the court presence that we sorely need this year.
this is a great message board, many friends are made here and the work done by Clutch/Jeff/crew for a bunch of strangers is unequal. Clutchfans even has writers and newspapers coming here. we contribute because we appreciate Clutch and the Rockets. Lifeless? wrong.
For those couple of years Francis was probably the best PG in Rockets history. Why? Because the NBA rules were different. Iso play ruled, and an unleashed healthy Francis was devastating. 45 wins with Mo Taylor, Walt Williams, and Mobley as the supporting cast? Come on. Francis carried those teams, something Smith/Cassell never had to do. Francis once had the most prolific rookie triple double since WILT CHAMBERLAIN!!! 25pts, 17rebs, 14asts!!! Just because he fell off doesn't mean he didn't have some amazing seasons. Honestly 45 wins with that piece of crap team. Hell we closed out the entire Atlantic division (or one Eastern conference half) with Francis. Come on people. Bob Sura? Whats he gonna do, throw shots off his own glass to get an extra rebound in search of a triple double? LOL!!!
you forget the Rudy T part. Rudy T knew Steve's weaknesses. When Rudy left and JVG took over, Steve wasn't the same player if he wasn't the main option. We traded Steve and Cuttino for Tmac. All Star Steve didn't do very well there, then didn't do very well in New York. While Cassell could play well in any circumstance, if he's the focal point, the #2 or the #3 option. Steve being asked to actually be a point guard and not the primary scorer was his down fall. I appreciate what he did for the Rockets, but if he was so good, why couldn't we do anything in the playoffs? Steve = all quickness and athleticism. take that away, then you get a guy who gets DNP CDs.
Yes, I honestly do. Unless you think that Rafer getting 40 minutes a game was an improvement on the defensive and offensive end. Also, we were not considered a "soft" team when we had Sura. We need a fiery player to help motivate out mellow team
I credit Rudy for utilizing Francis, getting the most out of his strengths. Something Van Gundy and Adelman failed (or is failing) miserably at. I definitely see your point (pun, mwuahaha) but I still think Francis was a deadly force for that stint. And don't forget he reclaimed his stats when he left Van Gundy's shackles and joined the Magic. It wasn't until they went with Nelson that Francis began to fade. Migraine headaches also limited his production.
Suns (99-present) -------------------------- Kidd K.Johnson S.Marbury Barbosa S.Nash J.Jones The worst starting/backup pg in that period could start the Rockets. Spurs (99-present) ----------------------------- A.Johnson A.Daniels T.Parker Mavs (99-present) ---------------------------- S.Nash J.Terry D.Harris Jazz (99-present) ----------------------------- J.Stockton H.Eisley C.Arroyo D.Williams Kings (99-present) ---------------------------- J.Williams M.Bibby Lakers (99-present) ------------------------------ Fisher Harper Shaw Payton S.Parker Fisher (older) Can someone please send us a Sleepy Floyd, a B.J. Armstrong, a Sam Cassell, or at least someone who can shoot, pass, or play defense consistently. Even though, you don't have to have an all-star that position, you do need someone who is consistent.
