i promised to be a good boy, if SF3 can be a good player again. Come on, i want to put on my SF3 jersey without my frens saying lame horse. I do agree that rafer's importance need is slowly diminishing as AB grows, and Bjax is more familiar to his team mates.
You guys easily forget how much Rafer stepped up this season. I cant even count the amount of nights he was Landrys 'player of the game this season'. Skip stepped up through the stars injuries and became a leader putting this team over the top at times. i.e. Remember #22 when Skip went off and T-Mac was ice cold? Adelmen knows what he is doing. Rafer didnt play a lot tonight because the hamstring still bothers him. Bobby Jackson is very good and has a lot more experience in Adelmans system. But Jackson is older, and should not be playing a lot of minutes risking injury, but I do hope we see a bit more of him in the playoffs. Brooks is young and a bit more athletic than both, but lacks size, defense, experience (playoffs etc.) and basketball knowledge compared to the other guys. Bottom line we are a team, everyone will have their minutes. And I have faith in Adelmen that he will make the right moves. Just like he did tonight when we were down 13 to 2 in the 1st. It amazes me that we beat the Suns by 20pts and some of you still have to find something to complain about. p.s. If we would have had this logic a few months ago we might still be watching Mike James and Francis jack up shots! p.s.p.s. Francis will take his option, but may never play another game and certainly not to the level of old. I think he took a look of abuse playing above the rim early in his career, and it caught up to him. Francis = 2008-09 Bob Sura. I hope we trade his expiring contract in the off season.
Alston is better than Francis right now. Not even close anymore. Steve Francis was an all-star just like Zach Randolph put up great numbers. The stats don't win. Francis had a lot of heart, but he also was careless and dominated the ball. This was when he was an all-star (five years ago). Now? He's a broke down two guard without hops who still turns the ball over and suffers from acute dribbleitis. He's done like a fossil. He's done like your birthday cake when you were 10. He's done like Charlie Chaplin. He. Ain't. Coming. Back.
In 31 minutes last night, Rafer scored 5 pts on 2 of 11 and dished out 2 assists. 'Nuff said. With stats like that, why would you want to trade Francis?
Rafer in the past 3 seasons > Francis past 3 seasons and future. I do not believe Francis will ever live up to the level of Rafer, B, Jax, Brooks again. Heck, I think he may not even come back, but he will take his option and Les' cash.
You apparently missed that pre-season game where he skyed for a rebound and slammed it down. The whole Rocket bench was on their feet applauding. And I guess you missed the Phoenix game where he single handedly pulled out a Rocket victory in the past few minutes. Anyway, I give up here. I look forward to the post-Rafer era, and I think Aaron Brooks will be great! A done Charlie Chaplin is still far greater than 99% of his wannabees.
All you have with Francis is one game and one play in the pre-season. That's it. Even the biggest detractor of Alston would give him solid marks for his play since the new year, particularly during the streak.
No, it wasn't just like Zach Randolph. He was a hell of alot better than anyone on this team not named McGrady or Ming. Francis in 05-06>>>>>>>>>>> Alston has ever been.... If the surgery is successful and he has enough time to rehab (it takes time - look at how long it took Carter to recover from his injuries/McGrady is still recovering from his back today). Cut the guy some slack.
I think Francis still has a higher ceiling, if (and I know it's a big if) he can manage to stay healthy next year. It's not like his contract is holding us back anyway.
The fact that we can keep Rafer's minutes down in the upper 20's or low 30's going into the play-offs bodes very well. I think AB earned himself some PT during the postseason with his performances the last week plus.
Why are we talking about trading this guy and that guy next year. You guys realize the Rox are in the playoffs and have a chance to do something special. Rafer may not be the best point guard, but he along with Head and the rest of the guys have contributed to 22 wins in a row and now fighting for homecourt and higher seeding. I really think we should save this talk for after the finals. Let's have some more respect for these guys.
I think he is a really nice guy. I like him personally. Rafer that is. I pointed out the two incidents just to say that his game is still there, potentially. And, he is, after all, a Rocket. He seems to get more flak than Rafer here, but he really, if the tendinitis is to be believed, hasn't had a chance to prove himself yet. Rafer is the one who is inconsistent. I do give him solid marks for his play during the streak. Who wouldn't? I love the comparison of Chaplin to Francis!
I like Francis, and I would love to see him play with Yao and T-mac. When Francis is healthy, he probably has the best handles in the team, a decent reliable jumpshot, and a very good finisher. Note that Francis IMO is an upgraded version of bobby jackson. Francis passes more (since he knows his role, and he isn't going to be a "franchise" player anymore), finish better, is more althetic, has better handles and has a decent jumpshot. He also has some playmaker skills as well. Im sure francis will work his way up. The man gave up millions of dollars to play for the rockets. That is heart, and I want him to be able to get better and be able to play with t-mac and yao. He would lighten the load by a lot for them.
Francis was basically the Bonzi Wells of last year only he was injured and out of shape while Bonzi was only a bonehead and out of shape. Next year if he can contribute as much as Wells did this year while he was playing here I'd call that a success. I also don't think it'd be too unreasonable.
Francis is easily the better offensive player, even hobbled. If he was getting Rafers minutes he'd probably be 15 pts a game 7 assist and 43-45% shooting. He's done this pretty consistently throughout his career save one of his earlier seasons. On the other hand, Rafer is in MUCH better physical condition (Francis used to be a beast and I'm sure he still could be - HE'S ONLY 30!) and Francis doesn't hold a candle to Rafer on 1 on 1 defense. That being said I've seen Rafer make some stupid ass decisions on D just like offense such as going for a steal he has about 2% chance of getting and letting the PG he's guarding get a free layup.
I'm very glad Adelman gave Brooks a lot of time against Suns. He was playing well and he kinda earned it. He can shot, but his best weapon is his quickness. I love that fake and a layup on the break. Rafer is Rafer. But right now if we sucks we don't need to use him, we can sit him and let Bobby, Brooks play.
