This part is correct, except this year we have a deeper bench, and a different offense which our team has not got down yet. Rafer doesn't have to play 40 + minutes and that is a good thing. I expect Alston shooting to improve up to around his career average by the time things are done. Certainly nothing special, but acceptable considering he isn't playing for his scoring. If we trade for an upgrade without creating a major hole some where else, then by all means we should. That leads to the second part: This is highly debateable. Steve is a better scorer than Alston, but Rafer isn't starting because of his scoring nor likely to be benched because of a lack of it. Even in Steve's best statistical years he was never a high basketball IQ player. He got high assist totals on teams where he dominated the ball and played 40+ minutes, neither of which are going to happen with this team. His biggest strength is driving to the basket and playing ISO ball, but he is coming off major injuries and out of shape coming into camp which suggest that his biggest asset, his speed and quickness, are both diminished. Not to mention that ISO ball and motion offense aren't exactly complementary. The bottom line is that Francis could not nail down starting positions on the last two EASTERN conference LOTTERY teams he played for. Then he was paid 30 million to NOT play for lottery bound portland. Based on that and his inability to even get ANY playing time on a team where PG is a weakness, why would anyone think he deserves to start? Acting like he isn't playing because the coach doesn't "like him" is silly.
The point isn't that Rafer Alston doesn't suck, it's that Steve hasn't done anything to prove that he will suck less. For all of Steve's flaws and atrocious decisionmaking, when he was first here, he had a desire to win, but his comments and attitude this year haven't reflected that. As Clutch said, he obviously did something to make Adelman reluctant to play him. Or maybe RA is worried that with Francis's spare tire, we'll get called for six men on the court.
Why not just ask Yao to invite Steve to go to the weight room/gym with him after every home game? I think Yao should try his very best to help his Lao Da to get over this slump.
Call me crazy - arghh, but won't be the first time - but I suspect that we will be going into the playoffs with Brooks and Francis sharing most of the minutes at the point.
Thank you. Everyone keeps acting like we have the Steve that was a 3 time all star sitting on the bench. Even that Steve Francis is not a good fit for this team, and he is nowhere near the player he was then. If Portland thought he was better then Jarrett Jack and Steve Blake, he would be a Trailblazer. If the Knicks felt he was better then Marbury or Robinson, he would be a Knick. And if the Magic thought he was better then Jameer Nelson, he would be a Magic. And if Adelman thought he was better then James or Alston, he would be on the floor.
in light of the morey comment the other day: http://bbs.clutchfans.net/showpost.php?p=3233179&postcount=162 maybe the sense of entitlement came as a result of a promise from morey??? and the personal leave is a result of political infighting in the organization...
In my opinion, it is not really about Francis, it is about Rafer. I watched just about every Rocket's game last year, and the year before. The Rockets did well because of Yao and TMac. The supporting cast has been subpar, especially at PG and PF. After being bounced from the playoffs last season, Morey said that the team was exposed at PG. Then he brings in THREE additional PG's. Actually more, but we will just count these. And who starts for the Rockets? Rafer! Our very own Preseason Wonder and Regular Season Blunder. Now Rafer has returned to his regular season suckitude: horrid shooting, matador defense, poor judgment, and awful all around play. But who still starts and plays major minutes? Rafer! What is it going to take to get this guy out of the game, out of the rotation, and, my preference, off the team? Yes we are 6-1, about to be 7-1, but it is not because of Rafer. With a PG like most of the Western contenders have, we would be blowing people out, instead of hanging on for dear life against the bottom dwellers. No, we don't have any All-Stars on the bench, but I would love to see some spot duty from Brooks, Francis, and Synder. Seriously, could they do worse?
How ironic. The more things change, the more the freaking stay the same. JVG is not around to be the whipping boy anymore. If you trashed JVG for starting Alston, you should be trashing Adelman right now, or you are a hypocrite. News flash: every coach in the league has a doghouse, and turds like SF end up in them.
I never heard Doug Collins say this, and would be shocked if Morey DID say it. I would have to see some link or story about it before I put one ounce of belief into what Apollo is saying. And Rick Adelman is playing Rafer FAR fewer minutes.......which is a big reason we are 6-1. DD
I bet Doug Collins totally twisted it. Morey was probably saying he expected to Francis to start and is upset he isn't. Adelman would agree. But the blame is on Steve not Adelman.
I couldn't agree more about Rafer. I think the problem is threefold. 1. Steve should definately be getting Luther's minutes. Luther looks lost. 2. Rafer and M James have been given that 'chemistry' tag. I think as long as they are winning RA sees Rafer as a low turnover run the offense PG who TMac and Yao seem to like. M James is the quote 'spark plug' who does not run the offense but can score and get his shots. 3. There has to be a problem between Steve's attitude and RA. No doubt that Brooks and Steve should be getting minutes, but winning right now is causing RA to take the approach that someone has to play themselves out of the rotation-badly, meaning a losing streak. Truth is neither Rafer, Steve, or M James has a complete PG game. THey stink compared to Nash, Williams, Parker and both Dallas PG's. I think if Steve goes to RA with a personal meeting and has the old humble and hungry attitude he will start to get minutes. I think Steve is the one PG who has the skills and experience to get in shape, get a right attitude and take the job. Apparantly that hasn't happened and winning is delaying the inevitable. Rafer is going to be Rafer- no shot, no defense and low BB IQ. M James will continue to come in and have hot nights and cold nights. Yao and Tmac will have to carry the team again. Maybe Brooks starts to take some minutes from Luther?
Hey Rhester, great to hear from you. We are in full wedding mode. I am hanging out here tonight just to get a break from all the hoopla (no pun intended). Seriously, I am so thankful for all that has transpired: the much awaited "One!" When that happens to one of yours, the joy will be hard to contain. All the best to you and yours. Solid
Personally, I think the problem lies with the timecube. Somehow it is distorting the minutes and rotation. The statistics appear to confirm this if you dont count aaron brooks.
There is a simple reason why Francis is not playing. Adelman has been quoted in saying that he doesn't like playing spot minutes. He likes stable rotation. He is now having a 9-man rotation, almost a max for any NBA coach. (The only coach who uses a 10-man rotation is/was Hubie Brown.) Francis didn't make the rotation at the start of the season. Now if he is going to play, either Alston or James is going to be benched. I don't think after only 6 games, Adelman would bench a guy like that. Maybe if Rafer or James continues to suck after another 4 games or so, Francis will get his chance. But there's no guarantee. Even if the coach wants to change the rotation, Steve still has to prove himself to be in shape and capable of playing better than Aaron Brooks.
