Maybe...just maybe...Francis now gets 'it'?

story_teller · Feb 14, 2003

http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/story.hts/sports/bk/bkn/rox/1778634

Speed always was intoxicating. There always was something to do, somewhere else to be, and it was easier to get there at the greatest velocity possible. Speed thrills, and Steve Francis loved it.

This was how he spent his first All-Star Weekend, rushing late from event to event, flying around the court in blind bursts of energy.

But then last week, on the occasion of his second All-Star Weekend, Francis decided to slow down and take a look around to see what he missed last season.

The view was nice. He still could hit the accelerator when he wanted, but he also liked the way things looked when they weren't flying by in a blur. Then there was an All-Star Game played at a similar, controlled pace. And then another game, even with 36 points and several flying-highlight moments, that was under control with only occasional bursts past the red line.

Suddenly, Francis found he could play with the same passion and intensity without flooring it from start to finish.

"When I'm relaxed, that's when I'm at my best," Francis said. "It helps everything. My Menière's (disease). My basketball. When I'm not too worried about too much stuff, that's when I'm my best -- whatever I do, from relating to people to playing basketball. It's all the same."

Francis rarely mentions his inner-ear disease, even less often by name. He has had only occasional bouts of the headaches and dizziness he endured last season, and nowhere near as severe. And living at a different pace, he feels he has it under control.

Unlike a year ago, when he tried to take in as much of All-Star Weekend as he could, Francis felt so at home this time that he slowed down, missed a few things and ended up enjoying himself more and playing better.

"It's nowhere near like last year," Francis said. "That's why I didn't do a lot of events during the All-Star Weekend. I didn't even go to the Players Association party. That's the best party of the whole year."

But the most obvious difference might be on the court since. He had 20 points and nine assists in the All-Star Game. But in the back-to-back games against the role model for self-control, Utah's John Stockton, Francis averaged 32 points (on 58.3 percent shooting and 66.7 percent shooting from 3-point range), six assists and three steals. His 36 points Wednesday at Utah matched the third-highest total of his career.

"Steve was phenomenal," Rockets coach Rudy Tomjanovich said. "He's played two flawless games, not only his performance, but his leadership, his calmness in the game. Everybody played well, but there was a steadying influence from him. The game he played here against Utah was phenomenal; then he goes and does it (again).

"I talked about his performance in the All-Star Game, that he was under control, that he shared the ball. But you don't want Steve Francis to not be an offensive player, and he went and took his opportunities. He said, `Coach, that's exactly what Rick Adelman told me. He said I was playing the game the right way, and that's why he had me out there.' ... Everybody thinks to get something you have to attack it. Sometimes, you have to back off to get it. You have to relax, let it happen."

But if such things can be measured statistically, Francis' turnover numbers did seem to indicate a change. He had just two turnovers in the last two games.

"I don't want to focus so much that I think about it. I've just been playing in the flow," Francis said. "Just reflecting on the first half of the season and the things I thought I could improve on, turnovers was obviously one of them. And assists could be up. I am trying to be a complete player.

"For me, it's a process of getting better. And I want my teammates and my coaches believing in me.

"I just think it was the (All-Star) break. I think it was a break for me because I was able to go home and see my family for a while and just relax."
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If Stevie can continue to play as he did in the in the All-Star game and the two games following it, there's no reason to believe he won't be the best PG in the league soon. And there's no reason to believe that he and Yao won't be the great inside-outside tandem they are supposed to be. I hope it (the last two games) is not fool's gold. For what it's worth, I don't think it is. You know, it's been said that Francis needs to become a "true" point' -- a la Stockton, Kidd, 'Dre Miller -- for the Rockets to be successful. I disagree with that a little bit. In the end it is Francis' scoring ability that will separate him, I think, from the games other floor generals (past&present). But, my biggest beef with him was that he needed to incorporate more of a pure PG's mentality with his offense. From what I get in reading the above article is that no one is telling Steve he can't be a scorer...we're just telling him his scoring can't come @ the expense of neglecting his teammates in the offensive scheme -- ESPECIALLY YAO. Lately, he's really made it an effort to get Yao the ball; and his running mate (or former running mate?) Cuttino Mobley is feeling the most effect from this much needed transition. The Rockets are slowly but surely becoming Yao and Francis' team -- as it should be. Maybe a true sign that he's getting 'it' is the fact that he's had just two turnovers in the last two games. Now I'm not as hung over about the TO issue as most of you are because a lot of factors go into that -- particularly, how often a player handles the ball and how much he does for his team. You'll also find that the games best players -- Kobe, Paul Pierce, Jason Kidd, Duncan, Marbury -- are among the league leaders in TO/Per Game with Francis. But Steve is the PG and your point' should never lead the league in that stat. It is great to actually see him acknowledge his needed improvement in that area, though, and his needed improvement in getting his assist up. Is the Franchise starting to get 'it'? It certainly seems that way, but only time will tell. But major props to him for the way he's played to start the second half of the season; let's hope it continues!

carayip · Feb 14, 2003

Steve definitely can be (and should be because he has that ability) a scorer. It's just that as a PG, he also needs to get his teammates involved with his passing. When he gets that balance right (as he's starting to it appears), he's going to be awesome and will lead us to way more victories.

DnD · Feb 14, 2003

Shhh...

Dont jinx it!

James23 · Feb 14, 2003

if yao had a good game, chances are francis got it that night. otherwise, he didn't get it.

story_teller · Feb 14, 2003

Originally posted by carayip
Steve definitely can be (and should be because he has that ability) a scorer. It's just that as a PG, he also needs to get his teammates involved with his passing. When he gets that balance right (as he's starting to it appears), he's going to be awesome and will lead us to way more victories.
Click to expand...

Totally agree, carayip! Once Steve figures out how to incorporate both parts of his game (passing/scoring) he'll basically be a better -- more athletic, scoring, rebounding -- Gary Payton. Scary good!

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