And Steve has done what, exactly, to deserve a spot on the active roster? I'd have though NBA purgatory would've made Francis more realistic about his basketball importance. OTOH, he's still a nice guy.
By the way, I sincerely hope that Adleman is not as stubborn as Lovie Smith in insisisting that Rex Grossman is his starter for the Chicago Bears.
but...but...but... did you see his stat line on the last 4 knicks games he played? (just ignore the 1-3 record they put up in those 4 games please!) but...but...but... he took a pay cut to come here! but...but...but... he has heart!
but...but...but... he is fat and out of shape! but...but...but... he got outplayed in training camp by rafer alston, which is pathetic. but...but...but... he would take a pay cut to go play anywhere. no owner was gonna throw him serious cash after his 30+mil buyout with the knicks. but...but...but... who cares
I think that most fans have a tendency to just watch one side of the court. I think RA does not want to mess with the rotation, because they are playing so well defensively. I think both Rafer and James will play better offensively as the team gets more and more familiar with the system. My observation in watching this preseason is that Steve was absolutely horrible on defense. Alston and James have been performing quite well defensively against most point guards. They might struggle against Williams, Parker, and Nash, but who doesn't?
Out of respect, trade Steve to the Clippers for Aaron Williams. I'm completely serious. That or to the Cavs for Cedric Simmons. Someone would trade us a scrub for him. Better that than have a distraction. Evan
Steve is gonna do what Steve is gonna do. He will want a trade to a contender or asked to be waived. If he does that, then Avery Johnson and the Dallas Mavericks are the most likely place Steve would end up. I don't see Francis going to the Clippers. If he does it would be only for a one year contract.
There is no reason we have not seen 1 minute from Steve this season. There is no reason L.Head gets minutes and Steve won't get 1. Rafer, I have to give him credit, he got in some trouble over the off season, hasn't let that effect him, came in in great shape and fought for his job. Mike has the ability to run the offense, play defense and put points on the board in a hurry. But Luther head over Francis, come on you have to be kidding me. Francis is a vet and has more talent than Head could any day. Head is a hard worker and hit some big shots last year. But Francis and Head are not even in the same league. Head should not be getting minutes over Steve. It should be Rafer, James then Francis. Do you want scoring from your third guard off the bench when nothing else is seeming to work? Head or Francis? Not 1 minute in 6-7 games? Francis as the 2 guard, not the point. Not running the offense but takin it to the hole! We want Steve! We want Steve! We want Steve! Go Rockets!! It's Time!!
Kind of academic at this point... things appear to be going in the wrong direction: Francis placed on inactive list http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/bk/bkn/5293602.html Francis on inactive list Rockets guard Steve Francis left the team Sunday to attend to a "personal family matter." Francis flew with the team to Charlotte, but he left Sunday morning and is expected to rejoin the Rockets in Memphis. Francis, inactive through the season's first six games, was moved to the inactive list Sunday, with Aaron Brooks in uniform for the first time.
what a freaking moron, just because he signs for less money he comes into camp (like bonzi) out of shape and with some stupid ass notion of entitlement because of past performance. He does the bare minimum because he feels that that is how much he owes the team. When he turns out to be the worst guard at camp, he doesnt work harder, he quits. If he would get into shape and work at the plays he could be a tremendous asset to the team, trade him for some basketballs or something.
Not according to Jonathan Feigen see post by z_ro1320 at November 11, 2007 09:11 PM Here we go again......Steve "crybaby" Francis took a leave of absence because of "personal reasons" does that sound like a certain someone from last season.... (No, it doesn't. He flew home from Charlotte and he will be in Memphis. So far, he has not missed a practice or a shoot around for personal reasons. -- Jonathan) Also, maybe he knows something is going on? See post by Bubba at November 11, 2007 10:13 PM Hey Jonathan, Do you think it would be good if Rafer Alston and Mike James played together on the court? I think it would help Rafer playmake better. (They have played together at times. Neither is as bad a shooter as James' 34.3 percent of Alston's 30.2. Alston is under pressure on Tuesday. You really don't want to fall under 30 percent. -- Jonathan) I think it's safe to say that he might know more than we do. Man Rafer only shooting 30% is atrocious, I can't see him logging a lot of minutes if he's only shooting in the 20% range, that's too much of a liability, his strengths can't outweigh that.
steve sucks, why do you think that the knicks or whoever bought him out for all of that money? that is unheard of for someone who is healthy. he is a bad basketball player, he can jump out of the stadium, but that doesnt make up for him dribbling out the shot clock and turning over the ball many times a game. let him ride the pine, maybe it will deflate his ego and he will learn how to play ball.
I'm curious what people will say if SF comes in and stinks it up during a regular season game. What then? I just have a hard time believing RA, who is an offensive-minded coach, isn't playing him if he wasn't one of the better options we had.
I refuse to believe Francis cannot contribute at least as much as Rafer Alston is without seeing him in action, but I will be the first one in line to admit being wrong if the scenario you envision happens. However, I'm almost 100% sure none of the Francis bashers would eat crow if the opposite happened.
It doesn't appear that Steve is a good fit for the team. Perhaps it is time to part ways and try to get something in return.
Every dog has its day. Steve will has his time. For now, Steve's job is to train harder and our job is to trust coach and keep our hope.
The ironic thing is that I don't see a lot of high post offense with Adelman. I see basically a rehashed JVG system with Yao in the Low Post and T-Mac facilitating and scoring. We have a revitalized Bonzi as a rebounding threat but where's all the cutting? I don't see much of that. What does Francis have to fit into with this lame offense? Adelman hasn't even put most of his plays in yet. It's just pick and roll basketball in which Francis could do very well.
