Your analogy only works if Steve is as close to Stockton's level as Yao is to Malone's. Which, of course, is not the case. It really doesn't take an expert to see just how much smoother the Rockets offense runs when Yao's playing well. EVERYONE can feed off of Yao's success, as they'll get much better looks at the basket and has better passing options. This was why Hakeem could carry the Rockets to a championship by himself, while T-Mac can score 30 a game and be in the lottery... in the East. When Steve plays well, it just means that we're putting up a few more points. When Yao plays well, our offense becomes a force to be reckoned with.
If you're going to spar, please don't commit such utter failings of logic. Does this mean that Derek Fisher is as crucial to the Lakers as Shaq? That's like saying that the 8th hitter on a baseball team is as important as the 3rd... because, of course, if it was a free out every time, you'd almost never win. It's all about the ability to replace production. No other statistic with the Rockets (that I've seen) is quite as dramatic as the Rockets record when Yao is the leading shot taker. If you can find an equally startling, non-hit-shots related stat for a major player (Wilks doesn't c ount), I'd be very interested to see it. If Yao features most heavily, the Rockets win. That can't be said, necessarily, about any other player. Relatively easy logic. Derek Fisher. Kenny Smith. Avery Johnson. Oh yeah. These guys are as crucial as Shaq, Hakeem, and Tim Duncan. Right. Please. See above. Steve doesn't get credit for simply being there. What you say is true of any PG. The question isn't "is it important to have a PG" but "what is X player doing that benefits the team beyond a replacement player." You say I'm spouting lunacy, yet you're incapable of even basic reasoning. Even if your opinions were correct (which I dispute), your reasoning is atrocious.
If the Rockets Management feel that having Steve Francis is detrimental to the development of a Yao Ming Team I would be happy with a Trade with the Bulls for Heinrich, Chandler and a 1st Round pick. These players are talented enough to develop with Yao Ming.
Unless Steve demonstrates a consistent jumpshot and not just a dunk, the Rockets are best off moving him in the offseason for a better shooter like Ray Allen. Of course, Steve can do a lot in between now and the end of the Rockets' run in the playoffs to make it seem like he has a jumpshot. I don't have to illustrate how important a great jumpshooting point guard is to a team that to just point at Mike Bibby who I think is underrated.
Otis Thorpe was the second best contributing player on the Rockets' 1994 championship team. That alone tells you just how good Hakeem Olajuwon was that season. I mean Carl Herrera was the freakin' 6th man (by the end of the finals, many would argue that Sam Cassel had taken over the 6th man spot).
the diff between those pgs and steve, is that he is a pg who demands the ball, unlike most pgs who just always pass it off to their best scoring options. But steve is one of their scoring options. A pg that is a major scoring option, plus is expected to set up the team is very important.
but thats not the offense now. its sometimes to yao and sometimes to mobley, and its ALWAYS created by francis.
fisher is no francis. The rockets depend on francis to set others up and score, and be a on court leader. much more than yao. But yao is imprtant in other ways, as in he draws up defense.
Uh I did re-read it. No kidding Yao isnt ready to lead the team just yet. This quote though, "the Rockets can find a way to win if Yao is merely average" is the biggest load of crap. You are trying to talk out of both sides of your mouth on this. I approach this with a long term thinking view. Its ridiculous imo to base a long term decision like trading Steve Francis on something like whether or not you win a first round series. Its pretty obvious to me as well as many others on this site that Yao will never be able to lead the team with Steve on it as well. This is why many others including myself feel that you need to pick one and go in that direction. I just do not feel that Steve is good enough to be a #1 option and take a team to the promised land. Its pretty obvious also that Yao will never reach his true potential with Steve on the court with him. The point I am trying to make is that it is essential to cast our sail with Yao by surrounding him with players that complement his game. If after that he still never becomes the player some feel he will be, then this team was bound for mediocrity anyways. One thing is for sure, Yao will never become the 24-12 beast he is capable of being with Steve gumming up the offense.
we are finally clicking together no need to break us up JVG team's that are low ranked go deep into playoffs (8 seed Knicks in lock out season went to finals) I believe they are going to click and get at least to the 2nd round if not further but still, no need to trade Steve...........let 'em play
