I was interested in seeing how much Steve Francis has in fact improved this season and in doing so, I wanted to compare his pre All-Star stats with his post All-Star stats. The numbers I'm sure will surprise most of you... In the first-half (pre All-Star) of the season, Francis avg. 4.2 turnovers per game; that ranked first in the NBA. In the second-half (post All-Star) of the season Francis is avg. 2.7 turnovers per game; 24th in NBA. Better than PGs Arenas (4.1), Kidd (4.1), Marbury (2.9), and Jason Terry (2.8). He's clearly getting better @ taking care of the rock. http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/stati...se&season=2003&seasontype=2&pos=all&split=141 Also, he took on avg. 17.3 FGA per game in the first-half; 22nd in the league behind PGs Marbury (19.7) and Payton (18.9), respectively. In the second-half he's avg. 14.1 FGA per game; 46th in the league behind PGs Marbury (19.3), Payton (18.5), Arenas (16.7), Jason Kidd (15.3), Sam Cassell (14.8), Baron Davis (14.4) and SG/teammate Cat Mobley (14.5) http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/stati...t=141&season=2003&seasontype=2&avg=pg&pos=all And it's not a fluke b/c this second-half is nearly over (not like it's two or three game into it). So in conclusion, I think we'd all still agree Yao needs the ball more, sure. But could we now all agree (of course not! ) that it's not the "selfish," "unwilling to learn," (I'm sure I left out other popular statements used some of you have for him) Francis taking those shots that the big fella should be getting? I'm sure this means nothing to those that refuse to even acknowledge that #3 is improving though. So what's the point! *lol*
And if you limit it to the month of March, Francis avg. 7.5 assists per game, #5 overall behind Jason Williams, Kidd, Marbury, and Terry. His FGA is even lower in March at 12.8, #52.
You can't just limit a guys statistic to one month or one week cause the game is not about a one week or a one month period but a season. I mean steve francis has looked better but look how good jwill is doing as a pg. Francis is that much better after the break than before it, but he was already one of the best players before the break.
Thanks for the stats. I LOVE what I'm seeing from Franchise. He is finally getting it and understanding what it takes to be a leader on the floor, and sensing what the team needs from him depending on game circumstances. Gonna be a lot of fun to watch the Rox over the next few years D R
Good thread. Nice reasearch! Very cool to see those numbers. I hope to see the continuation of that trend next season.
Francis has been doing very good. But really......I still want him to score at least 20 points. Best stats per game would be 20 points/9 assists/5 rebounds/1 steal/2.5 turnovers. Steve Francis can definitely still score. He can score 50 point if he wants to. He is capable of doing that. But I like how he is always trying to get his teammates involved. And it makes our whole team look better. He is very valuable. I dont' think anyone wants to trade him now... Ball Movement!!! Now only if MOBLEY COULD GET IT!!!!!!!!!!
Good work, story teller. I brought this up in another thread a few days ago, about Steve's turnovers being way down since the All Star break. Next season I can see Steve averaging 20pts 8ast.
Wow -- and I didn't even break it down that much; we're in late March @ that. So yep, he's definitely continuing to get better. And let me remind ppl, I didn't start this thread trying to say I think Francis for the rest of his career will take 12-14 shots per game and what not -- though I do expect his turnovers to be as low, if not lower than they are post All-Star (2.7) and assist in March (7.5) to be as high even a little higher for an avg. season. But it was to just show that the guy is improving/has improved A LOT. As Yao and Francis develop even more of a repoir on the court as the seasons go by -- whether that's with some of the other current players or not -- I expect these two to take the most shots on the team, witch Yao surely being the focal point.
I rather have him score 13 points and get 12 assists. Our team still scored 117 points, with Francis only having 13...he needs to dish the ball first, he's a point guard.
I know...yes. 13 points and 12 assists per game would be awesome. But scoring 20 points doesn't mean you have to take 20 shots. He can take about 13 shots per game...and still score and go to the free throw line. But what I don't like is sometimes he doesn't shoot when he's wide open now. He's kinda hesitant. And I don't want him to ruin his stats! He's been increasing his scoring average every season!!! History in the making...it's decreasing. But I guess it doesn't really matter. He won't be in the elite club of 20/6/6+. All that matters though is that the Rockets win. I like the new Francis.
Yeah, and that's the thing LiTtLeY'....once Steve just learns how to really incorporate his scoring with involving teammates, look out! See right now, you'll see games when he won't score a lot but the assist will be up or will score a lot and the assist will be down -- then you'll see some games in which he does it all perfectly. Those numbers you posted would be great from Stevie; and he can do it. We would basically be seeing a much better Gary Payton...who has mastered how to score and get teammates involved, but I think it's safe to say Francis' is more talented offensively. Stevie's learnin', though, that's for sure and it's fun to watch and will be great to watch he and Yao together for years!
Thanks for all the positive replies, everyone. I thought most of you would like to see those numbers from Stevie. It seems that sometimes he's unjustly blamed when he really is getting better as a player/pg. And the whole "selfish" thing was like, "Come on...if you really look @ how his season has progressesd, Francis isn't selfish @ all." Even I questioned earlier in the season how serious Francis was about wanting to become a leader of this team. I mean, he said he asked MJ, CD, Rudy T and others about during this off-season, but early in the first-half I just had to question it. But, as they say," the proof is in the puttin," and it's clear to see -- especially in this second-half -- he really is serious about wanting to 'earn' the whole "leader" label.
Bah Steve sucks. If he isn't avg. 30pt, 16ast, and 11reb; he isn't worth playing. We might as well put Moochie in the starting line up, and place Steve on the bench.
Yeah, I'm not going to lie, when I heard Bill and Calvin say Stevie could be the only player along with Elgin Baylor and Oscar Robertsen I think -- I mean Elgin Baylor and the Big O (who was also a PG, right?) -- to increasase his scoring avg. his first four seasons after scoring @ least 18 in his rookie season...I was like, 'Damn -- talk about elite company.' And of course there's the whole "being the only player or one of two players to average 20-6-6 in a season thing." But remember, LiTtLeY...Steve is so talented he'll figure out how to balance both and you'll see his scoring go back to norm WITH the high assist total. It's all part of his learning experience now, y'know? And it's great that he's not a "numbers guy" on the surface. He really wants to win. I think he could still make that history.
The reason I limit it to March is because it is the LATESET games he's been playing. The point of this thread is that Francis is improving as a playmaker. BTW, did I mentioned that March is also the month in which the Rockets had their longest winning streak of the season?
Shameless plug for my site... I've got a few graphs of averages over time. Here's Steve's page: http://www.dreamshake.co.uk/player2002.php?player=3 The third graph down shows assists and turnovers. You can see a definite trend from about March onwards. Assists up and TO's down.
Cool site, Bailey. I like the graphs on there along with the stats; makes it a little easier to see progress in players or in some players' cases, lack of progress.
there is no doubt that Steve can score, but, the question is he is a point guard. Directing the traffic on the foor and keeping the game tempo and things like that are what he's supposed to do more efficiently. Don't forget, Steve is a smart guy. He wants to win, and i'm sure he's learning how to play with You. Over time, these two can become the most dominant duo in NBA, just like Shaq and Kobe, if not better. At least, i like these two more than S#K from the Fakers. We can beat 'em!!!!!!!
Okay. One more thing I have to add that is related to Francis. MOOCHIE SUCKS!!!! God. He pisses me off. We have a lead. And he almost blows the whole freakin 20 point lead. He is useless. He doesn't even look that athletic. He's got nice hair. But golly.....he can't make free throws. Yes...sometimes he's the only one who will pass to Yao...but jesus......he's terrible. I guess he's a good benchwarmer.
