Oct. 8, 2007, 12:00AM ROCKETS NOTES: Likes what he sees By JONATHAN FEIGEN Copyright 2007 Houston Chronicle The Rockets returned to Houston on Sunday after their seventh practice in Austin, with coach Rick Adelman offering his most specific praise for what he saw in camp. "The two power forwards, Chuck (Hayes) and Luis (Scola), have really been good," Adelman said. "They're active, they cut, they fill the open spots. They're both really good at that. "Mike James has been really good. Luther Head has been very good. The thing I like is they cut so hard. And if they don't get it, they open it up for somebody else. And Tracy (McGrady), he's an incredible passer. He's so long and so big, he sees everything. He's such an unselfish player. If we do the right things, he's going to find the right guy. What I found out about him is he's very, very intelligent. He sees. He's already said to me, if we do this and put guys in these spots, it's going to be good. I want that. They're out there on the court. That's what's really good about him. That's where he has an advantage over other people." Center Yao Ming on Sunday had his best of his four workouts. "He's better than I anticipated with what we're trying to do with him," Adelman said. "With his size and his touch, he's a very smart player. Our guys know if he's at the basket and he's got the guy on his back, he should have the ball and make them pay. He's everything I expected him to be." Beautiful thing Perhaps no players' offensive duties will change as much as Shane Battier's. Battier will cut as a potential scorer much more often and will be used as a passer. Typically, he said he prefers his new passing duties. "I've never been about points," Battier said. "Scoring points and getting buckets never gets me too fired up. Making a great pass and playing beautiful basketball, playing basketball the way it's supposed to be played, with a lot of cutting, a lot of great teamwork. That's what gets me fired up." Open practice today The Rockets will hold their annual "open practice" today at Toyota Center. Doors open at 12:30 p.m., with players taking the court about an hour later after the morning's workout on the practice court. The first 1,000 fans at Toyota Center will receive vouchers to shoot free throws or get autographs after the scrimmage. Admission and parking are free. Lend an ear After three days with Rick Adelman, center Yao Ming said he is straining to hear his coach. "I'm going to have to get my ear better," said Yao, who has little hearing in his left ear. CHRON: Adelman Likes what He Sees
That struck me as well. Wasn't there an article yesterday talking about how he wasn't catching as quick as the other guards? Edit: Here, about halfway down
i think there r still a lot of Francis Haters...Steve's a much better PG than MJ and Rafer on court...
Yeah, Francis is not picking up the offense nearly as well as the other guys. That's kind of to be expected though. I still believe he's going to be a good bench scorer for us when T-Mac and/or Yao is off the court though. After T-Mac, I don't think there's another player who's better at creating his own shot on this team than Francis. But it's looking more and more like he's not going to be a starter.
Its right there in black and white he's not doing well within the offense... I am hoping that tomorrow night he shows alot more than what we've been hearing about him. It looks like Luther is staying and that Snyder, Novak, JLIII, and Reed will be sent packing
There were several players not mentioned. I dont think they're all in the dog house. Im not the biggest Francis guy, but I wouldnt look too much into it.
Well...I hope so...but things looks like Adelman prettymuch decided that Stevie won't be a starter...i guess in the first 5-10 games... In fact i thought Steve should sign with Clippers...
Francis has never been able to pick up any sort of offense, so it's no huge shock he's struggling with Adelman's, too.
Agree, i for one am really pulling for him to do well. Sucks that there doesn't appear to be any positive mention of him doing well anywhere.
Let's see. Who got mentioned as "good" by the head coach... Hayes, Scola, James, Head, McGrady, Yao Hayes and Scola can't be both starting. I am betting Battier as a starter. So the starting lineup would be like this (at least for the time being): James McGrady Battier Scola Yao Hayes and Head will probably be the 6th and 7th man. Since Adelman praises both Hayes and Scola, it is likely that he will go small and use one of these two guys as the backup center. Mutombo and Butler will see spot minutes unless Yao is injured. You've got to have a backup PG in the rotation: Francis or Alston That's 8 guys, Adelman's usual rotation size. With our depth, there might be a 9th guy. Bonzi?
