I've been a Mobley detractor some in the past...but Mobley has very easily been our most consistent player this season..the only one that can be counted on night in and night out. And there are times where it appears to me he is the only player on the court that even begins to commit to perimeter defense.
I think Mobley is a fine player. Maybe the best overall player we have. But when he plays outside the system and makes those ugly one on one plays that always seem to turn over the ball, he really shows his immaturity. Players like that don't win championships. It's easy for me to sit back and criticize his playing (which is mostly very good), but the way he blew the Denver game is hard to stomach. It would be one thing if that was a one time deal. But he seems to make those mistakes every few games. That's not championship type of play. I, for one, hate to seem him go, but if he can't learn to play smarter, then what are the Rockets to do? It's either play smarter or trade. I think that's fair, right?
this just in...they're ALL making those sort of mistakes...Francis, included. i agree..play smarter or trade. but be careful what you ask for, because this team may be gutted if you truly apply that principle fairly...that may not be such a bad thing, frankly.
Not defending Cat here, but if star player/max contract Steve Franchise makes his free throws down the stretch, Cat's "over zealous " play doesn't cost us the game. Free throws also played a major factor in the Seattle loss. Steve and Yao both had late misses. Those are the two guys we expect to have their hands on the ball at crunch time. Funny thing is both are good fre throw shooters. But both have very poor end of the game percentages. I watch on the dish and often get out of town broadcasters. I think it was the Blazers Snapper Jones (who really does his homework) said to foul Frances, (approximate quote) because late in the game he will miss free throws.
Trade Mobley? That's f*cking nuts... The dude is only going to get better... and he's already a great scorer, good to the rim (and working on getting better), and can play good defense... And he's not taking up a superstar's salary... You keep him on the team and he's going to kick ass. He's going to give every bit of effort he can and will do the best he can at his job. Cato is the same attitude... These are the guys I want on my team. With the trials they are going through this year they will earn the toughness everyone wants on this team. That doesn't happen overnight. Stevie is also the same... and Mo for that matter. They play with heart and this year is already learning them some tough lessons. Moochie... I love ya' brother but you gotta' go... Yao... You gotta' learn how to rebound, how to handle the double team (without losing the ball or passing it to the other team), and how to stay out of foul trouble... Most of the cure for these ills is lack of experience... Mo... You gotta' learn how to pass better... But you are a mean scorer in the post... And you are rebounding better... You want it... Stevie... The dude is going to get it. Jim Jackson... You're alright... You have the effort... I like ya' man... but I wish you were coming off the bench. Pitowski (spelling?) dude... You gotta' make those man. And you gotta' play some D. Trust is the issue here I think. It's gonna' take some time for pike and the team to trust each other. It's coming though. Cato... dude. Hat's off. You are playing as well as can be asked. Quit talking to the refs and keep playing with heart. You guys that are saying trade Stevie are ****ing nuts... Do me a favor and go become a Laker's fan or buy your own team so you can f*ck it up and then blame in on the coach... When his assists are up and his turnovers are down, we win. This is going to come as the season goes on. I think we'll squeek in to the playoffs (please lord, please lord...) and I think next year these guys are going to kick ass... not do ok... not be alright... not pushing the upper edges of mediocrity but kicking ass. ok, ok... I'll stop there. That's a lot of words up there.
It wasn't just the fowl at the end, it was also the play before when he tried to drive on three defenders and got the ball striped and THEN went down the court and fouled a three point attempt that cost us the game. That was just too dumb to be a coincidence. But I still think Mobley is overall, night in and night out the best player on the Rockets.
