The reason I ask, is that in a lot of the other threads it has been brought up that Marbury is not a leader, while Kidd clearly is....what I am asking is do you believe that Francis will become a leader, or will be a star player with very little leadership qualities? Current examples of leaders in the NBA. Kidd Jordan Stockton Malone McGrady Duncan Kobe Shaq These are all players that command respect from officials, opponents and inside their own locker rooms. I REALLY want Steve to become one, but I also have serious doubts about it. DaDakota
I think he is becoming a leader...all you have to do is look at the quotes in a recent article where he says thigs like 'if you want to blame someone for the bad season, blame me' etc etc...for a guy on a lottery team to say those things shows me that he is maturing into a leader... does anyone have the exact quotes or a link to that article where steve says he wants to sign the exension?
Francis is definitely a leader and I really don't think that he and Mobley are as selfish of players on the hardwood as everyone believes. He and Mobley are still trying to establish their positions in the NBA....they're still very young, and so is the Rockets' team. I think their lack of passing stems from uncertainty of the players next to them. What I mean is, they, knowing they are the best players on the team, really are unsure about the capabilities of their other teammates. As long as they have been around the Rockets, we have had losing teams, and that's because no other players have stepped up like Steve and Cuttino have. I think this is why they try to make all of the plays themselves, instead of involving their teammates a lot of the time. Have you ever seen Francis off the court, in an interview or something? He seams like a very energetic, nice, humble, and genuine guy......these are things you look for in a leader, and I believe this coming season is when he realizes his potential, and his ability to lead this team of young players. He craves to be the best, it seems, and his capabilities of becoming a hardwood general all depend on how much he works in the offseason on his own game, how much he will demand his teammates' respect, and how much he can light a fire under certain players to perform behind his leadership.
Francis is more of a "leader" than McGrady. T-Mac just has a way better supporting cast than Franchise!
yeah Horace Grant and Ewing really tore it up this year McGrady carried the Magic into the playoffs, and he's carrying them in the playoffs Tracy does more for his team than Steve because he's better, but I think Steve gives more hustle he doesn't get in teamates' faces, and he doesn't always play 100% , but I consider putting a team on your back leading
Maybe I don't see enough of him, but Kobe is a leader? Shaq, hell yes, but Kobe? He's a great, great player, but I have never thought of him as a leader.
Francis might be saying the right things off the court AFTER THE SEASON. We don't need his "leadership" after the season. We need it during the season, and in games. The Rockets clearly lack a leader on the floor, including Rudy. This is where losing Bull hurt.
Before this season I though Steve was the cats meow. He could do it all and then some. I rember being at a game and him making some under the trees drive for a reverse, when it just couldn't be done. I poked my friend saying "did you see that, did you see that", wanting confirmation that I actuall had. He is clearly competitve, and a gym rat to boot. When he went ot the playoffs to watch and learn, I knew we were set. Then this year comes along. I felt Steve's game did not improve. Mostly he forced the ball, and excepting Cato did not seem to get his teammates involved. The offense is stuck. I was ticked that he did not go to the Mayo, and I really began to doubt his future. He will still be good, but not one of the best. (Aside here - When Bum Phillips was asked if Campbell was the best ever, he responded " whatever category he is in, it doesn't take long to call the roll". But at the end of the year I read some quotes by Rudy that were very flattering and I forgot the details, but seemed to explain away all of my problems and gave me a better idea of what Steve had done, rather than what he had not done. I felt better, and I felt chastized. I had been too harsh on the boy. Somehow that gave me a new perspective. Two things Steve did at the end of the year show me leadeship qualaties. I forgot the game, but very near the end of the year, perhaps three or four games left, Eddy made the game winner ( i think three) from the top of the key. Deep in the paper, Steve said, in the time out before the last shot, he had told Eddy, who had missed several long shots, to stay in the game, cause he may get the shot. Well he did and we won because of it. The other was just the opposite, Collier took the last (winning or tying potential) shot as time ran out, and I blamed Steve for not being able to get a shot off and having to "dump" the ball off to Collier to force up a shot. I am a Collier fan by the way, but please, not as the hero shooter. Unorganized offense cost us that game, and I hold Steve directly responsible. Next day the quote from Steve was something along the lines of Collier was constantly open, and we ran the play for him. It would have really helped his confidence if blah, blah, blah... Well, shut my mouth. I am impressed. Steve was getting the team involved, he was using all of the tools, he was sharing the spot light, and he was trying to give long term confidence boosts to the younger guys. It was subtle, he did not announce it, jsut did it. To me that is leadership. Let's give the guy another chance or two. He may make that short list yet.
Going a bit further, Wasn't Iverson the ultimate leader last year. But the year or two before wasn't he a trouble maker. Butting heads with the coach and an inflamitory rap album. What is he this year? No doubt many of us will decide when we see how the team finishes off. Shaq and Kobe were on your list, wern't they fueding cry babies before Jackson straightened them out and they won a couple of championships. Lot of talk that about Olajuan's leadership before the championship years. David Robinson and Tim Duncan were constantly called "soft", but now their leadership is one of the keys to that team. Gary Payton was punk, now he is a leader, and a good one at that. Jason Kidd, part of that disasterous 3J fiasco with Dallas. Steve is like 23 years old or something. Most of you are proably younger than I am, but that is really, really young. It is too young to be allowed to run for president of the United States. I wouldn't go to a surgon who was 23. I turned down a job once because the boss looked like he was in his early 20's and I kept thinking "his daddy must have bought him this business." Yea, he has some growing up to do. Lets look at who he is learning leadership skills from - his mentors if you will... Rudy - lot of experience, but used to an experienced team, teaching leadership has to be a new and developing skill for Rudy. Olajuan - was leaving soon the whole time Barkley - "I think I'm to hung to play, so I'll take a technical and go home". Though I do like Charles. Scotti Pippen - "I can carry Michaels jock strap, can you?" Mobley - a kid also. So I say it again, yea, he has some growing up to do. Lets take a chance that he is the one, and give him the time he needs.
I think he definitely has leadership qualities. 1.) Not afraid to speak his mind 2.) Charismatic 3.) Cares about winning 4.) Plays hard He has the qualities, but I just don't think he has the experience and the teaching to fully understand the game of basketball yet. To be a leader you need to know how to play smart. I have no doubt in my mind that he will eventually be a leader.
Leaders does whatever it takes to win and takes full responsibility for it when the game is on the line. Look at Stockton, he is averaging 10 points a game or something like that but when the game is on the line, he will take the shot. I don't like stockton but I trully believe we would have won more games this last year especially the close ones with stockton at the point versus Stevie. I think Stevie is becoming a leader but he is not there yet. He is not willing to consistently put himself on the line at the end of close games. I've seen flashes of it but he is not there yet.
Hoop, The reason I ask this now, is that I have been reading what Steve has been saying in the papers and am very impressed that he might actually be GROWING into the leader that the Rockets need. I am rooting HARD for that to happen. DD
I wasn't dogging you DaDakota, I just saw the thread title, and went to look inside, and thought I'd see it dated way back when there were several threads about this very topic.
I dont think francis needs to be the leader, jsut because you are the best player on the team does not mean you should be the leader. One of the best leaders in the league is brent Barry. If you ever watch this guy play, watch him after the whistle blows. he is constatly talking to his teamates and helping them out. IF a guy makes a great play he is right there to congradulate him if he screws up he is on his case. I think he can be looked at as a good example of a guy leading a team, but not being the "man" on the team. Steve does not have to be a leader, I would rather see a decent scorer thats defensive minded, such as steve smith, christy, or Aaron mckey, be the leader than francis,
I'm still waiting for Steve to have the sack to take the last min shots. I hope he's not a Chris Webber in waiting.
"how exactly would you define a "leader"?" A leader is anyone who has a follower. I still am not sure who follows who around, Mobley or Stevie. Other than that I don't honestly know if any of the players honestly see Stevie as leader. Being the best player on a team does not make you a leader.
