I love Steve and have defended him in the past, but I can honestly agree that he's regressed. When he first came in the league, even though we weren't winning a lot, I got excited every game. The kid was amazing player and you just saw the confidence he has in his game. Now fast forward four years, we drafted Yao Ming. While this gives us the big man that we severelly lacked, it also brought incredible amount of attention and pressure. How did Steve respond to the pressure? He started to second guess himself and started playing not to loose instead of playing to win. In his first few years, he would play without fear and played like a "franchise" player. We didn't have the best team around him but what success we had (including a season with 45 wins) it was because of him. Now he's TRYING to play like a distributer but it's not working. He isn't a passing pg and there's no chance of him being one. It's not his game. But not only has not improved in getting other people involved but he has as regressed as franchise player or leader. Here's the main problem with the Rockets right now, there's no leader on this team. As talented as Yao is, his personality is way too timid for me to see him as a leader, maybe he'll surprise me but I don't see the killer instinct in his eyes yet. But it can change, that was the knock on Duncan until last year, the aura around him changed (most notebally that running hook on Shaq) during that series last year. Steve had that killer instinct of franchise player but now it's gone. Until Rox get a LEADER through trade or one of our big two steps up, we will continue to lose and continue to lose close ones.
I think it is funny that this thread (a thread that comes to grip with reality about Francis) gets a high rating. The simple fact of the matter is, that i've been posting this since I started posting on this BBS. IMO, the only reason Francis is still on the team is because of CD. This guy never knows when to get rid of and/or keep players. If Francis was on any other team with a desire build a championship caliber team, he would have been traded already!! Zero improvement in FOUR YEARS!!!!!!!! (sound familiar) I don't necessarily wan't to go into the bountiful shortcomings that surround Steve; so I will sum it up in one phrase: Every year in which we keep Steve, is a year WASTED for YAO!!
I think we should hope to trade Francis for maybe a Ron Artest or a suitable PF and give the money to Nash! (as he is expected to opt out of his contract with the Mavs at seasons end)
Pacers are beating the crap out of everyone. They aren't trading anyone. Mark Cuban is signing Steve Nash. He got two big contracts in Jamison and Walker. I doubt he is going to pinch pennies signing his 2nd most important player.
i agree with wizkid that steve isnt a passing pg he shouldnt play like he should play the way he used to play move him to sg and get a pg
Reguardless of what you think you might know, here IN DALLAS, and according to ESPN analyst David Aldridge, there is much speculation surrounding Nash and his contract. Nash is apparently upset over his inept contract. With recent aquisitions Walker and Jamison getting the money, and Cuban not ponying up for Nash's contract, he (Nash) plans to opt out at the end of the year!! And why would Indy not trade Artest for Francis? They've been looking for a two, and the addition of Francis would give them a one, two punch (with O'Neal) to surely prevail as the best team in the East. Plus they have Al Harrington to fill in Artest's spot at the three.
And the Pacers were "beating the crap out of everyone" at the begining of last year as well... Until they came un-glued!
This is Mark Cuban. This guy is going to match any offer other teams offer Nash. Mark Cuban is probably playing hardball now because he knows Nash can't possibly get the contract he wants from another team of any caliber. Nash may be good for the Rockets, but that is only if Francis is off the payroll. Artest is going nowhere. Think who Carlisle is, and what his personality is like. Artest and Carlisle were made for each other. Steve on the hand is like the opposite of Artest. I haven't seen Artest skip down the court like Steve has.
i heard nash said if they didn't sign him like a $100+ mill contract, he was going to toronto. he knows cuban is willing to spend big bucks, so he's just saying that.
Think about what he's been through... 1. New head Coach 2. New Offense 3. New Star player on Team who needs 3 years development 4. New offense runs through developing star player 5. Migraines 6. Two pot heads at Power Forward And damn, he's only the starting point guard for the West All Star Team. He's doing pretty good if you ask me.
laughable! $100+ mil I seriously hope you are joking! If not, do us all a favor and think before you post! $100+ mil
The All-Star game is a popularity vote. Anyone with a functioning brain would know that Francis's All-Star votes do not reflect the real way in which he plays within a real NBA system.
I think Nash is a great player but he cannot command 100+million. You heard wrong! And Nash is not going to throw out imaginary and impossible numbers because Cuban is willing to pay. Fact is, that Cuban is not willing to pay anything near this. Not with Nowitzki, Finley, Jamison, and Walker.
SF is a very talented baller; but still plays like he is the only option on offense. with this style of play at the point guard postion---over-dribbling and one-on-one---Rox have never qualified for the playoff. over the years, Rox has gained more talented BBer and a new coach, SF has not adapt his style of play. the current Pt Guard / Center combination is not working out for the Rox. there is no chemistry. Rox mgmt has to make the decision now about the team's future: decide wheter The future is Yao or Francis. make the decision and trade the other ====>If Francis, trade Yao to get bruisers, to accomodate SF's one-on-one, helter-skelter game. ====>If Yao, get a true point guard to accentuate Yao's scoring and passing skills. I am inclined to keep Yao. to that end, Trade Francis and JJ to the Sonics for Rashad Lewis and Luke Rednours (a true point guard)
Great question Tb-Cain! Let's look at the numbers: Year_____points____assists____FG%_____TO_____rebs 99-00_____18.0_____6.6_____.445_____3.97_____5.3 00-01_____19.9_____6.5_____.451_____3.31_____6.9 01-02_____21.6_____6.4_____.417_____3.88_____7.0 02-03_____21.0_____6.2_____.435_____3.69_____6.2 03-04_____18.5_____4.7_____.421_____3.75_____5.9 link to Steve's career stats I don't see much improvement. With the execptin of rebounds after his rookie year which hasn't gone up since the numbers look pretty similar to his rookie year. That is really frustrating that he isn't getting better stats as he supposedly matures. The only stat that has gone up each year is blocks pre game from 0.38 his rookie year to 0.56 this year.
This would NEVER happen! NEVER! Why would you trade one of the leagues top three young talents, the second best center in the NBA, international marketing icon, revenue generating machine, and keep a player in Francis that makes no one around him better, is under-sized, does not understand how to play BASKETBALL, a player that has done nothing by way of improving the team (i.e. advancing to the playoffs), and has shown ZERO IMPROVEMENT IN FOUR YEARS????? WHY???
Let us not forget the only reason his stats have moved slightly since his rookie year....... Increased amount of minutes!!!
