[ch 2 video] Francis interview: "I definately didn't come here not to play at all."

yes. thats exactly what i agreed to 2 posts above yours

 

There's a major difference between Mike James dribbling and Francis dribbling. When James dribbles he's constantly pressuring the defense. When he feels the defense is playing loose he'll attack faster than you can blink. When Francis dribbles, he'll take 3-4 extra dribbles in one spot before making up his mind on what to do. Those extra seconds allow the defense to recover and nothing is achieved.

Basically, every dribble Mike James takes makes the defense react, and every dribble Francis takes allows the defense to take a nap.

 

Well stated... Too many times we still think of players and how they were, instead of looking at how they are now.

T_Man

 

WOW ... Tracy said Francis is slow, and that's what the rest of us have seen in the pre-season games. It's not just our imagination. I guess it's in practice too.

This will probably be Steve's last chance to turn it around. I hope they do keep him, and that he does whatever it takes to get his game to whatever level he's capable, and then contributes that, without getting an attitude like VSpan did last year, where he doesn't make the changes to improve.

It seems he's been deluding himself on how good he is right now, whether that is injuries, age, shape or new system. Whatever he has to adjust, I hope he does it. Get a trainer, get a mentor, therapist, coach, whatever he has to do ... there's a lot of money riding on it, and he has a chance here to shine.

Otherwise ... wow ... sad ... not a shock, but I'd sure hate to see him end it badly.

 

No. James is overdribbling and not invovling his teammates. He seemed to think he was starring in the Mike James show when Yao, Tmac and Bonzi were out on the floor. I can't believe you think James over-dribbling is good. Francis attacks the basket a lot better than him. I know you hate Francis, but defenses react to Francis too. He draws a crowd. You can't just characterize everything Francis does as bad....and then when James does the same thing, it's good.

 

Poor Steve, I saw him on the video and I just wanted to go give him a hug and tell him everything is going to be okay. Poor guy.

He wants coach to give him minutes to play because he thinks he's ready and can play his way into shape while coach wants him to get into shape before he plays....wait..hmm, sounds familiar....is his name Bonzi or Steve...hmm.

I hope we don't have a Bonzi vs JVG the sequal starring SF vs RA.

 

Steve should ask Bonzi what he did in the offseason because Bonzi looks 3 steps faster than he did last year. Whether Steve wants to admit it or not, he's not in basketball shape. That's why he's sucking wind and showing only flashes of his explosiveness.

 

Without going into an Alston rant, I'm irritated by the Rockets right now. At least they told McGrady that he wasn't on the block. I guess they don't think much of their former star point guard.

Other than Morey doing a fantastic job of signing players this summer, the front office has been horrible in quite a few situations recently.

-Getting rid of JVG
-Coach and management not being on the same page about personnel last year (Bonzi)
-Coach and management not being on the same page about personnel this year (Francis)
-Talking to their own players through the media

How does Adelman not have time to talk to his 3 time all star point guard about his role and playing time? Sounds to me like the only thing Francis knows is what we hear. In shape, out of shape, resting nagging injuries, being lazy... it doesn't matter. Francis was a huge part of the Rockets in the past, signed with the Rockets because THEY SAID they wanted him, and now he deserves a little respect. In fact, just about ANY NBA player deserves that.

 

what are you steve's personal trainer? how do you know if he's not in basketball shape or not? the guy's been in the league for 10 years. i think he knows how to get in shape. the problem with Francis is he thinks he's better than he actually is, then again most everyone here thinks that too.

 

Those criticisms might have been apropos ofSteve a few years ago. This pre-season he hasn't complained or whined as everyone in the video has pointed out. He's worked hard in practice, and by and large during the games he's looked to pass first, and hasn't dribbled the clock out like he used to.

So far Steve hasn't really earned the minutes, because James and Alston have outplayed him, but he's showed he's willing to do what's been asked of him, and as he gets in better shape, and continues to work, he will be valuable to the team.

 

Adelman has repeatedly said that Steve is not in as good a shape as the rest of the guys in training camp.

 

Don't feel sorry for him. Its not like hesproven that he deserves to play more than rafer or james.

 

i feel sympanthy for Francis. his career's fallen off so hard. he thought he'd be able to revive himself back in Houston, but ironically it was the worst place he could possibly go. He shouldve gone to LA, then he could be with Mobley, and with Brand out he'd had a much better chance to shine.

 

Rockets Playoff Stats:

James
Games - 7
MPG - 24.4
FG% - 0.468
FGM - 29-62
Shots per game - 9
3PT% - 0.000
REB - 1.9
AST - 2.3
STL - 0.9
TO - 1.43
PPG - 11.6

Francis
Games - 5
MPG - 44.4
FG% - 0.429
FGM - 30-70
Shots per game - 14
3PT% - 0.412
REB - 8.4
AST - 7.6
STL - 1.4
TO - 4.20
PPG - 19.2

Alston
Games - 7
MPG - 44.1
FG% - 0.338
FGM - 25-74
Shots per game - 10.5
3PT% - 0.320
REB - 6.9
AST - 5.0
STL - 1.9
TO - 2.43
PPG - 10.9

McGrady
Shots per game - 23

 

You make some very good points. I hope steve can have a role with our team

 

The problem with that is most of the guards in the nba are small not big. Did you see how Francis got smoked by conley over and over?

 

first off im not a FOH but you guys that are bashing him and the guy hasn't even done anything wrong. Second like one poster suggested although gayfer does run the offense better than francis or james he is at best a backup. How the gayfer supports forget how bad he got burnt during the playoffs against Utah. Granted james and francis might get torched by deron williams but atleast they can attack the defense and get him in foul trouble and make him work on defense. How man times last year was gayfer open at the three point lay brinking wide open threes what you see of him in preseason is FOOLS gold he will continue to be gayfer as he has been for the past two years. As for Francis it seems like he is not pounting or being a cancer. Put yourself in his shoes if you were picking houston to come play after turning down offers from LA and Miami thinking your gonna be a major piece and find out your not even gonna be in the rotation. If tmac or yao had the heart to lay it all out on the court like he does we would be pass the second round already. So before yall start bashing him give him a chance and dont be so quick to be trade him. Also Adelmans motion offense is hurting Yao Ming he needs to still use the high post but Yao needs to be at the low post the majority of time. Yao is doing nothing standing out there just holding the ball and giving it to a cutter. His shot is not falling and he doesnt have the presense to put the ball on the floor and take it to the basket as evident last night when ducan ripped the ball away from Yao

 

I understand why people keep living in the past when it comes to Francis. The alternative, where Alston withers under the pressure, is scary. However, Steve Francis is not the same player he was in 03-04. He is no longer that three time all-star. He is not owed anything. He needs to get better and give the coaching staff reason to play him over Luther, Mike, or Alston.

 

good find...dam i hope he gets some form of consistent PT

 

you get what you earn...he is heavy right now...a good 6 to 10 pounds overweight.