I was told Steve got injured (on back? or leg?) couple weeks before. Has he fully recovered? Or till now he still suffers for the injury? If he hasn't fully recovered, how can Rudy let Steve play almost 40 minutes per game?
It must be. That is the only explanation. Steve is a much better player than he has been showing us lately...
I have to agree. He doesn't want to make excuses I guess, but man he sure seems hurt. He probably thinks he needs to play to keep us in the playoff hunt.
I think it has something to do with it. I am sure that he is also forcing things as he goes through his first playoff race. DD
The injury is definitely getting to him. It's probably better if Steve sits a couple of games out. He's hurting the team on the defensive end more than he's helping on offense. I just REALLY hate the idea of Mooch as the starting point guard though. How about Cat slides over to the point for a few games?
I would like to see Mooch as the PG and Cat as the SG. It worked quite well actually in a couple of games. At least, Mooch and Cat complement each other. SF and Cat play basically the same position.
Francis is definitely hurting. They talked about it briefly on the broadcast tonight and I've heard it from around the Rockets. He isn't talking about it but he has a pretty sore back and it is tough to do ANYTHING, let alone play basketball, with a sore back.
I'm sure it is. There is no way he would be playing this badly if he were healthy. He is just too talented.
Yeah, clearly Francis low bball IQ, terrible decision making, and inability to run an offense are due to injuries. He's always been so competent in all those areas. A great pure PG.
Well, you have to tip your hat to Steve for playing with injury, especially during crunch time. Of all the times...
As much as we need Francis, he probably should just sit a few games. He isn't getting healthier by playing and sometimes he does more harm than good. Rest Francis and give Mobley more shots with Moochie as the PG. As of late Mobley has been playing well so I see nothing wrong with him getting more shots (shots that Francis would have taken if he was in the lineup). It is one thing to battle through injuries but you still have to get the production. Steve's outside shot is very valuable on this team and if he isn't hitting it perhaps the shots should come from somewhere else. Chris
Yeah, he looks a little slower and more tentative. He's not as explosive, either. I'm not sure if it's injury or fatigue, though I do understand that he's had back problems lately. I remember seeing him grimace & wince after a few dunks lately, so he hasta be hurting. You know, I don't think Mobley's 100% either. Watch his legs when he fronts his man on defense. Especially when he stops quickly, I describe his footwork as "gingerly."
Steve is not the greatest pure point guard in the NBA, no one will argue that, but the guy has had success, even this season. I hate to keep harping on the same thing, but the Rockets won 45 games with a mediocre team two years ago with the same PG, sure he's having a bad season, but lets also be fair.
Steve doesn't seem to take the short quick lateral steps when on defense (against SA). I wondered if that was injury related...
That was one of my preseason requests! 'That Mobley and Francis play less minutes, so that they would last out for the full season and playoffs. I cant imagine how Steve is playing so hard and for so many minutes with a bad back! If all this is the case then Moochie should play more minutes not less. Moochie should be given the chance to play with our starters, he did very well when Francis was injured.
