In the last 6 games, the Rockets are 5-1. They have played great in the 5 wins, and the Orlando loss was nothing to sneer about. I have noticed something strange about these last few games, however. Here are Steve's assists per game: Cleveland - 4 Orlando - 5 Washington - 5 Detroit - 1 Philidelphia - 6 New York - 5 Now I know that Steve doesn't really average a great deal of assists like Jason Kidd, but this seems well below his average. My question is this, do we play better when he doesn't distribute the ball as much, and takes a more assertive role in the offense, or is this just a coincidence, and we need Steve to try to make more passes and find the open man? I realize that he could likely do both, and in the future, I see that happening. But there must be a reason for these lower than average assist numbers. ------------------ "Happiness is a journey, not a destination. Work like you don't need money, love like you've never been hurt, and dance like no one's watching."
I think it depends on who we're playing; that lets Francis know whether to be offensive-minded or distributive. ------------------ The best is yet to come. Go Rockets!
Francis avg 6.6 last year and this year is 6.1 . Not a big difference. The guy has an all around game. ------------------ "Break off the block like Maurice Green" --- Steve Francis President of the Moochie Norris fan club.
I was not referring to the whole year. I was simply referring to the last 6 games, during which he has averaged 4.3 assists. A far cry less than 6.1. However, during that stretch of games, we are 5-1. So the question is, is it better if Francis racks up the assists, or puts the ball in the basket himself? ------------------ "Happiness is a journey, not a destination. Work like you don't need money, love like you've never been hurt, and dance like no one's watching."
Good point, finalsbound. All 6 of the games I listed were Eastern Conference... in other words, soft. Some may have hard nosed defenses (Knicks and Philly), but they are not big teams. Maybe Steve takes a more offensive mindset when there aren't too many big men plugging the middle. Damn I wish we played in the Eastern Conf. ------------------ "Happiness is a journey, not a destination. Work like you don't need money, love like you've never been hurt, and dance like no one's watching."
Those last 6 games, the Rockets have been going to the "dump it in to Dream" offense. Not as much ball movement=less assists ------------------ When we tire of well-worn ways, we seek for new. This restless craving in the souls of men spurs them to climb, and to seek the mountain view. -- Ella Wheeler Wilcox
Was that the case tonight with Cleveland? All I saw was the box score, and Hakeem didn't really score a great deal, but was the offense still running through him? Steve shot an ungodly amount of 3's tonight! Good thing he was hitting them. ------------------ "Happiness is a journey, not a destination. Work like you don't need money, love like you've never been hurt, and dance like no one's watching."
Most of Steve's assists don't come in the flow of the offense. Also, with the way teams double team Steve and Cat it is usually the 2nd or 3rd passer who gets the assist. I dont think his assists numbers are that important a thing, because he's always gonna contribute one way or another. He got 6 offensive boards tonight... that is impressive. ------------------
can someone have alook at shandon's assists the last few games and dreams ------------------ "Wahooo"-homer I'm not only a fan but I'm also the bartender at clutchcity chat For the last time I'm not Tybrave!!!!!
The real reason Steve doesn't get a ton of assists is because the Rockets offense is not built around a passing attack. It is predominantly an isolation and pick and roll dominated offense. The Rockets are 23rd in the league in assists. They just don't assist all that much to begin with. ------------------ Me fail English? That's unpossible.
No, because we would be looked at as the 4th seed that is winning only because they are in the East. I would rather wait a year and get a spot in our conference. ------------------ Never Underestimate the Heart of a Champion
