Cure to Rockets' ills means giving Francis, Yao support By JOHN P. LOPEZ Copyright 2003 Houston Chronicle LOS ANGELES -- Shaquille O'Neal has tendinitis in his knee and a sore big toe, which means Yao-Shaq II might be a Hollywood production similar to Caddyshack II. A total flop, that is. But at least the Lakers know the remedy for what ails their big star, pumping anti-inflammatory medication into O'Neal the past three days, resting him against the Knicks and leaving his status for tonight's showdown as a game-time decision. The Rockets, on the other hand, need some kind of miracle drug to bolster fast-fading hopes for a playoff berth. What they need is some kind of inflammatory pill. Something, anything to get into the souls of those who have played like the walking wounded of late -- something to raise the heart rate and production of those who surround Yao Ming and, yes, even Steve Francis. It might be easy to point fingers at Francis, the point guard and franchise player, as the biggest reason for the Rockets' current ills. But he's not. It might be easy to harp on Francis for not doing enough to get Yao the ball more often, or not lifting this team by himself to the kind of winning tear the Rockets desperately need. And sure, not earning his first assist in last week's dismal loss to Miami until 1:22 remained in the game was inexcusable. Francis certainly has had his bouts with the Can't Get It Done Flu. But while the Rockets have lost nine of their last 13 games -- a defeat tonight at the Staples Center leaves them tied with the Lakers for the No. 8 spot in the Western Conference -- Francis has been more than fine. During the losing stretch, the Franchise has surpassed his points average (23.2) in all but four games and either matched or passed his assist average (6.0) in all but five games. Moreover, in his last five outings, Francis has averaged 27.6 points. We can live with that. Francis might deserve some blame for not finding a way to get Yao more involved with the offense. But the sickness? The on-the-floor cancer that figures to rip apart all Rockets' hopes runs deeper. Start with Cuttino Mobley, a shooter who is not shooting. Then look toward Moochie Norris, Maurice Taylor and the kid, Eddie Griffin. The secret to making a healthy drive to the playoffs is no secret at all. The Rockets know it as much as the Lakers, Spurs or Mavericks. They just haven't figured out a way to bottle it and draw upon it when needed. In order for the Rockets to threaten a playoff run in 2003, they needed the franchise players, Francis and Yao, to have the kind of seasons expected of them. They have. But what they need more is better than expected production from the supporting cast. Over the past five games, Mobley has hit just 36.7 percent of his shots. In the four games against Minnesota, Utah and Miami during the stretch, Mobley has hit just 15 of 49 shots (30 percent). A year ago, Mobley averaged 21.7 points. This year, he's at 17.6 and falling. He is shooting 42 percent from the field and 32-percent from 3-point range, also down from a year ago. Considering the emergence of Yao, naturally some drop in production should have been expected by Mobley, but his shots attempted per game have dropped only marginally (18 per game last season, 16 this season), while others have failed to make a mark at all. Taylor entered this season after missing last year because of a torn Achilles tendon. The 20-year-old Griffin entered trying to avoid the sophomore jinx. Both have struggled to respond the way the Rockets hoped they would. Griffin still has not established a consistent inside presence or shown marked improvement in any area of his game. A year ago, he averaged 8.8 points, 5.7 rebounds and 1.84 blocks per game. Today, he is averaging 8.7 points, 6.3 rebounds and 1.8 blocks. Taylor is down in virtually every category from the 2000-01 season, most significantly points (13.0 to 7.5) and rebounds (5.5 to 3.2). Clearly, Taylor has not regained his foothold, so to speak. Norris, who established career-highs in points (8.1) and assists (4.9) a year ago, has lost minutes -- roughly nine per game -- and production in 2003, scoring just 4.6 points and passing out 2.5 assists per game. This is no way to make a run at the playoffs, depending on Yao and Francis to make everything better. Consider the Lakers, whose lack of a supporting crew has their entire playoff fate hinging on the health of O'Neal's big toe. It takes more than a big man and a great guard -- more than Shaq and Kobe Bryant, or Yao and the Franchise. Better yet, consider the Spurs, who just finished an amazing eight-game road win streak without center David Robinson Players like Tony Parker, Stephen Jackson, Kevin Willis, Manu Ginobili and Malik Rose, supporting players, put forth solid efforts. The Rockets are ill. And it's no secret what they need to keep their grip on a playoff spot. Cuttino and Co. need to take their medicine and get well, fast.
OK, we need someone else to blame other than Steve, Rudy, and Yao. So blame the rest of the team! How smart is that!
Does this article sound like it's prepping fans for a trade? Is the "miracle drug" Lopez reffers to a new player? ... or maybe Lopez is just the voice of the public, dying for a consistent winner and a team that can really compete now. I really hope the Rockets brass hear this public outcry and make a change. This team is capable of something special this year, we just need a tweak.
Sure looks Mr Lopez was forced to right this piece against his wish. He is also suffering from the same disconnect Rudy is suffering. I will appreciate it if he went back to whatever he was covering previously for The Chronicle. On a slightly different note, I would love to see John Mcclain do some pieces on the Rockets. He seems to come accross as an outstanding journalist.
The funny thing is that is the way they have it on the front page of the Chron but the story barely even touches on the "miracle" angle. Even Lopez' own title says nothing about a miracle. Wierd.
Numbers don't mean much. Francis produces the numbers but his way of playing isn't a consistent winning way we need. His way of running the offense is not the way it should be. He's a PG who wants to get himself into the game more than his teammates. If his teammates misses 1 shot, it probably means he wouldn't get the ball to that teammate anymore. It's Francis's job as a PG and a leader to get easier shots thus points for his teammates and make them better players. But maybe I expect too much out of our supposed franchise player.
lopez is great. the rockets needs a miracle to make the playoffs. unfortunately, miracles rarely occur. do rockets players read the papers?
God, I can only hope that Cat and company read this! I love it when a member of the mainstream media lay it on the line and KICK ASS with their commentary. And of course, I think the only person not included in his comments should be Rudy, who as much as Steve and Cuttino has been criticized by other call in shows and Sports programs across the country. Even the ESPN analyst that interviewed S.F. today said they "had talked about the 'getting the ball to Yao Ming' thing several times."
May be he think Cat cannot rebound from his recent slump, thus, calls it a miracle. I do love Cat to prove him totally wrong. KH
One of the measures of greatness is the ability to "speak truth to power." That is to stand up to those who control your destiny and say things that most others lack the courage to say. While we the readers do not directly control the destiny of John Lopez, to some extent we can certainly influence his long term future!! I applaud Lopez for speaking truth to power (Rockets players) whom you know he sees on a regular basis. I happen to agree with him and would challenge anyone to debate the facts that he presents. You might not like him, but the guy told the truth!!
since Fran is on his way to becoming comeback sports journalist of the year, maybe its time to have some fun and bash Lopez. Hey Lopez, ask Steve Francis if he's ever heard of a thing called DEFENSE!
I'm sorry Lopez, blaming a schizophrenic team on the role players is just yet another new excuse. It is the whole team. Yao and Francis are just as inconsistent in their energy and readiness as every player. I mean, come on Yao, 10 rebounds / game is a requirement...the inconsistent rebounding and defense thing has its excuse (rookie wall), but it contributes to losses, nonetheless Further, here's a Francis Fact: 49 FG% in wins 39 FG% in losses Show me one other team scoring leader in the league that shows that wide of a gap. How many times do we have to slice up this team in how many ways? Can anyone really figure out how a team blows away top competition (not just wins, but wins huge) and loses to bad teams? The mounting reasons is become comical. And they are general all excuses, including the ones that blame role players and the coach. btw: Cuttino is putting up 15.1 shots / gm, not 16. sheesh, don't Lopez and Fran have statisticians there.
Lopez is actually pissed looking into making up some more stories about Les not marketing directly to Hispanics. This guy is killing me...talk about a half empty glass. geez.
