I take em one at a time, never taking the post for granted. I try to bring my "A" game to the BBS each night. I give 110% effort with each and every post. Cliches? They aren't even in my vocabulary ! DD
adeelsiddiqui, Here's what happened regarding the so called "no-call." With 45 seconds left, Bibby drives left-baseline, and passes the ball out to the 3-point shooter. JJ intercepts ball, and starts the fast-break. He immediately gives the ball to Francis on the right side of the court. Francis crosses-over Peja, beats his man for a OPEN lay-up. Once Francis notices that he misses the lay-up, he lays out on the court like he's in agony. If there was a foul it was on Peja's "reach in" on the cross-over from Francis. But it was such a light touch, it would have been a phantom call (I recorded the game; rewind, play, rewind, play, rewind, play....trying for find an "obvious foul.") No such luck. After the missed lay-up, Webber gets rebound, and throws a full-court pass to a fast-breaking Doug Christie for a easy lay-up. The Rox's bring the ball up the court, and Francis is STILL on the ground. All the players are looking a JVG wondering if they should call a timeout...they don't...Francis stays on the ground with 12 seconds left...then he enters the court. JJ misses jump shot, and the Kings start another fast break but Mobley intercepts full-court pass, but steps out of bounds with 2 seconds left. Ball is entered by the Kings and Peja misses open 3. End of half.
Hey David S Francis wanted a foul because Peeler punched him in the groin area thats how he missed the lay up Walton even should a replay.
I wanna see you get up right away after taking a shot to the crotch. I would of been down for a bit too.
Attention all BBSers: Summer Song Giver called Steve Francis (he quoted me) a no talent assclown!!! You heard it here, from me, first: Summer Song Giver realizes the problems he have with Steve Francis confusing Rucker park with ARCO arena.
my God, I was screaming as he was on the break "Pass it , PASS IT, PASS THE BALL FRANCIS!!!!!" so much frustration. I was seriously bummed out. my friends are all asking me whats wrong and I tell them it feels like the season is slipping away. they just don't get it. "this is not a game for me ese, this is life"
J-Baller, You are right. After the cross-over on Peja he drove past to Peeler. Peeler took a swipe at the ball but missed and hit Francis in the groin area. It wasn't a "punch" per say... It was a swipe, and that's why it was a no call (it wasn't obvious). That's just the way thing go when the clock is going down (end of quarters/half). I don't think Francis would have made such a big deal of it if the ball would have gone in. Francis later admited that it was a "frustration" issue. I just think it's an "inability for him to complete a fast-break" issue.
I stand corrected (In my reply to J-BALLer; how appropriate). But it still doesn't improve Francis's game. He's grandstanded in the past for less obvious "no-calls." So, why is this any different (Francis: Boy who cried wolf)? He has to show improvement for me to change my tune.
back to the game... I think the most glaring weakness that hasn't been talked about yet, is that our defense went to hell in the fourth quarter... and in most of our big losses, this has undeniably been the case. Who cares about how we couldn't finish one fast break... and who cares about the halftime incident. Our defense was much better in the first half, when we were challenging their outside shooters, not allowing Peja and Bibby to get into any sort of rhythym... and when we were giving them jumpers, we made sure Webber was taking them. Of course Yao's foul trouble changed our interior presence a little... but I do feel defense was a major reason behind this loss, especially since we'll never outscore a team like the Kings, and we should stick with our strengths.
The problem with Yao is he's a second year player. Let's me state that again: Second Year. He is far from his peak...I don't think you can be too hard on a guy who is still learning how to play in the NBA. The Rockets just aren't a pressure tested team, and close games show it. The break down on the defensive end and then look lost on offense - moving away from what built them the lead earlier. I just think this team has a way to go before it gels, and time will tell. People need to have patience.
