Chronic: Does character count to the Rockets? What about to you?

I just have a feeling that Steve and Bonzi will be sitting next to each other on the end of the bench. We have enough talent on this team. If it works out great, if not I'm ok with that.

 

I seem to recall nearly the exact time being said last year about one Bonzi Wells and we all know just how well that little episode turned out.

This Adelman "love" factor you speak of is an interesting concept. Please explain how it works. I would submit to you that Adelman chooses to overlook a lot of player indescretions on the disciplinary side which is why they are so fond of playing for him versus a coach like JVG or Popovich who are stern sticklers for discipline and who do not tolerate any player BS.

 

Yes, Francis is not the same player when he was last here, we know that. But he isn't going to be asked to carry the team like he had to. He's in a much different role, the pressure he had before is not there. This is his first team he's been on with championship contention. Steve will not be a character problem. Fans want to get on Steve for his character but what about Mike James. I'm more worried about Mike James and his "I'm a cheap prostitute" attitude than Steve Francis.

 

Good point. I kind of dread this move because Francis might become a key decision maker on the floor.

 

Ego -- even excessive ego -- may well be a useful tool for a person constantly in the spotlight, in this case a basketball player.

 

Over/under on the first "Give the freaking ball to YAO!!" thread after Francis and James chuck up the ball to end the game.

2 games?

 

Yeah, I already see folks on here calling for him to be the starting PG. Be very careful what you ask for...

 

True thumbs but to assume (as are most are doing here) that SF3's recent experiences have somehow diminished his ego and humbled him is to simply be naive. We're talking about a guy fundamentally changing what makes him the player that he is and I simply don't see that happening with Francis just because he's been traded around the league. If anything, I would expect him to be more determined than ever to prove that he's still got the skillz to be Stevie Franchise because by doing so, he can get that next big contract which would probably be his last shot at the big money.

 

Are you f'n kidding me? Rudy, Cuttino, Mo Taylor, Walt Williams, Moochie, Carlos Rogers, Kenny Thomas, Kelvin, YAO. All these guys LOVED Steve. Where the hell was Lopez when all these guys were thick as thieves?

I just don't get it. What advertisers did Steve lose us? Hell, he made the Rockets more popular in the youth advertising market than they had been in years.

And what's with the attitude stuff? Is it just the Vancouver thing, amplified by the Super Bowl incident, that make people say Steve is a bad teammate or person? What the hell did he do in Orlando or New York? Mourn a horrible trade and the loss of a friend, and try to make the best of a horrible team and situation?

Look, there are reasons I'm apprehensive about the Francis acquisition, but all of them have to do with BASKETBALL, not this other crap. I know from what I've witnessed with my own two eyes that Steve leaves his heart out there on the floor, and he defends the hell out of his teammates. Yes I know he has a game that lends itself towards individualism, but I saw him adjust that game to fit JVG's limited and unimaginative offense, and still almost average a tripele double in the playoffs when he had to.

I saw him become fast friends with the 7'6" dude from China that he was originally apprehensive about getting, to the point that he had some "words" with Amare Stoudamire, a man 7 inches taller than him, in Yao's defense.

Guys, I just don't see it. There's Vancouver. There's the Super Bowl (an incident that most coaches would've kept in house, and honestly may not have cared about as much since Steve made it there on time). But I don't see any character issues on the level of Kobe or Artest, or Rasheed, or Eddie Griffin, or even friggin' Bonzi.

You know what? Screw it. Just go out there and prove 'em wrong, Steve. That's the only thing will change anyone's mind....maybe.

 

Too bad the same cant be said for poor decision making.

 

Poor decision-making generally diminishes positive spotlighting to the point that the spotlightee fades into the darkness.

 

Adelman has a good history dealing with big egos. Remember the rap on Weber before he joined the Kings? he was accused of (and probably did) a lot more than Steve has ever done. Bottom line is that at the price we paid for the guy he is worth the risk. If he gets out of line we can cut him if we have to with little financial impact. I also hope three years of humble pie has to have changed Steve. If not, then nothing will.

 

This is a good post AstroRocket and I appreciate this. Steve is all business-all effort-Good luck Steve!

 

I can't believe he brought up the 'super bowl incident' -->

 

While I concur with your assessment of SF3's pride/ego/style, I want to see the same Steve Francis of old -- minus the overdribbling and plus a very positive assist to turnover ratio. His age is a factor (LOL, I wish I were just 30 again) but he will be playing fewer minutes than in his glory days.

Francis also has better weapons to whom passes can be successfully directed. Yao is a much better player than when he and Francis played together. There is no need to mention McGrady's ability. Scola, Bonzi and James don't stand still -- and they can score. Battier won't be as quick as those already mentioned, but he is good for a spot-up trey every now and then.

All in all, even though I have some nagging doubts, I am delighted with SF3's decision to come home.

 

Lopez is a ss!

Anyways if theres one coach who has pulled it off before and sure as **** can pull it off again its Adelman!

 

I have to agree with earlier posts that his ego more than likely is still intact. But, that's something to be valued . . . at least for now. It puts a chip on his shoulder that he thinks he should be starting, but knows his job is threatened by James, Alston (maybe), and Brooks. I think this will motivate him to play much better, at least until he gets his starting job. If he is the starter and we're on the home stretch, I doubt he will change the way he's playing if it got him the starter role, and more importantly, produced wins. I'd be surprised to see a shift to a "me-first" Francis late in the season. If the "me-first" attitude comes out, it'll be within a few weeks after he wins the starter role.

I also don't believe in the team cancer aspect. Francis has a big mouth at times. In fact, he has a big mouth on the court too. I think I remember there were comments during the first season with Yao that Francis and Mobley were a bad influence on Yao. Why? Because they trash-talk . . . alot. Francis isn't exactly poster child material, but I think the whole team cancer thing is blown out of proportion.

With all that being said, if he does turn out to be a cancer, I think we can bench him pretty easily if we keep Mike James fresh with 15+ mins/game. James is a Francis clone with less rebounding, fewer TOs and more assists.

 

You have said everything I wanted to say right here . . . Steve Francis WAS a good teammate. I believe that part of the reason Yao Ming had such a successful transition to the NBA is because Steve Francis took an interest in him, welcomed him to the Rockets, and became a good friend. The Rockets should have MORE teammates like Steve, not fewer.

 

I personally think that Steve will shot maturity this time around. From the interview with Tracy, it seems that he and Francis both agree that it's time in their careers to think about championships, as oppose to just getting on Sports Center.

As far as Bonzi is concerned, I think he just needs a different type of coach mentality to flourish. JVG was too much of a disciplinarian. Adelman well be more than suitable.

Also, just think about it. Sometimes it just takes being with the right coach and the right team, for a knucklehead to start straightening up. Rasheed Wallace (though still the king of techs), has done well with the Pistons.

I'm not saying that we can start counting are eggs before they have already hatched. I'm just saying that none of them are rotten... yet.

 

a guy takes less money to play in a city that ran him out after he did nothing but play hard and hear criticism, and he gets his character question by some dumb ass sports writer.

and people wonder why I am an irrational backer of stevie