My Cup is Half Full...There's a lot to think about

Especially in a situation where the team doesn't have to count on him to be The Franchise. Way back when, there wasn't really much choice. This could truly be a win/win/win situation for all involved (Rockets/Francis/fans).

While none of us can say anything definitively yet, I have to look at it from the positive side (at least, that's what I'll choose to do unless I actually see something on court that makes me think otherwise). A proven coach who should be able to take advantage of his talents, new and more talented team members, a vastly matured and seasoned center in Yao, McGrady as arguably the main man (he and Yao), and a lot less responsibility riding on Francis' shoulders. In many ways, this could be the best situation he's ever been in -- and hopefully, the best situation in which the team's been, in terms of recent years.

And just think of what could be if Francis thrives within the system. Given what we've already got, this could be a monster of a team. My gut feeling is that with the assembled talent they will be able to hold thier own against any team in the league and Francis could (and should) be a large part of that.

 

Great post, said everything I wanted to say.

 

Good point, our starters have not got too much better. Morey did the miracle by making our bench players significantly better --- our bench suked donkey balls, and adding quite a few trading assets which we virtually had none.

All these didnt come without risk though, personality managment and team chemistry is a bigger concern now.

 

I was just being snide not trying to put the evil on you at all. Yes Rudy's ISO offense was a part of what happened - perhaps a BIG part but let's not forget that this offense that so many revile now was the one that won them 2 NBA championships. My point on Francis was simple: he was brought here to be the face of the franchise - he was the MAN. But in an offensive system where the coach allows you to the freedom to fully exploit your BBall skills (which is supposed to be a baller's dream), he basically flopped (and I'm really being kind here). I won't rehash the littany of complaints about his game here now because that's not the real issue. Suffice to say that an enormous number of folks were not sad to see his butt get traded and cheerfully told him to not let the door hit him on his way out of town. But after looking at Clutchfans over the past few days I must ask where the hell were all of these people 4 years ago when "The Franchise" was being shown the door.

It has become quite evident that this owner and organization has developed some sort of teflon suit when it comes to taking responsibility for this team's misfortunes. The sad truth is that very few folks here hold the owner, GM & the organization responsible for this teams lack of success. Here, it's always been the head coach who has taken the blame and the fall. It was that way with Rudy T and 4 years later it was that way with JVG. And should Adelman fail to get them to the promised land, that blame will then be placed on solely on his head as well. That's exactly what Les & Co. want you to believe because it lets them evade having to take responsibility for this team's performance. And from the look of the posts around here, this has worked to perfection with Rudy T & JVG and one doesn't have to be clairvoyant to see what fate awaits Adelman in the future.

I am unsure exactly what bringing back Mike James & Steve Francis is supposed to accomplish because to me, they sort of cancel each other out and neither player is the type of point guard that Has flourished in the West. And now, the drafting of Brooks makes even less sense to me. Oh well, I must admit that if anything else, this off season has managed to restore my sense of curiosity about this team.

 

I doubt very much that you'll see much of James and Francis on the court at the same time.

 

That series was incredible
the UPSTART Rockets scare the sh*t out of the Lakers in Game one
should have won it. . but it was inexperience showing up
other than Game 2 .. .they were in just about every game
Even in the last game. . they did not lose by 40 [which won't happen again]
Not with this Squad!

Rocket River

 

*ahem*
I was against the deal for T-mac
But I am glad it all works out in the end
I have supported the Franchise since he came here
and will til his career ends

Rocket River
. . I'm just saying

 

And I recall that you were indeed against the deal. No, Francis was made the fall guy and the scapegoat for the sins of the organization as had been done to Rudy T before him (and JVG after him). Now getting McGrady was supposed to be the singular move that was to catapult this franchise amongst the elite. Four years later, everyone is still waiting for lift-off so that can happen and so they now welcome back SF3 with open arms. It's funny how things work out around here...

 

Even though we have not been among the league's elite, we have certainly been a better team with TMac. Unfortunately both TMac and Francis had questionable at best supporting casts with major holes in them during their time with the Rockets. But Francis has not proven himself as a "franchise player" in any of his other stops. The fact is that he lost his starting job on 2 different lottery teams and then was paid 30 million to not play for seattle.

Despite that many people want to pencil him in for his Rocket's all star year numbers. The thing is that when he had those numbers he dominated the ball 75%+ of the time and with TMac and a much improved Yao on this team there is no way he will do that now (or if he does it will be to the detriment of the team). That is why there are major questions for me giving Steve the starter role and those are issues I feel Mike James shares. It makes them ideal backup/6th man players subbing for TMac and taking 10-15 minutes from Rafer who played 10 minutes above his career average last year per game.

Completely replacing Rafer with either may remove the problem of having a point guard that can't create his own shot, but it will certainly isn't without a huge risk.

 

I posted this in another thread, but it's exactly how I feel about this topic....

I dont see ANY of these recent moves as a bad one AT ALL.

Other fans say "Francis will ruin chemistry...too many point guards, Scola will be a bust, they took Butler's contract, it's just summer ball....Brooks will come up short 'pun intended' he's wack."

I'd agree with everything if we gave up Battier for Scola...if Butler wasn't 22.....if we signed Francis to the full MLE ...and if Brooks was selected at the 15th pick of the draft.

Ask ANY Spurs, Mavs, Laker, Jazz fan...

would you trade....
a retiring player, a 2nd rounder, and cash
for
argueably the best PF outside the NBA (Scola), young backup center (Butler), and the most feel-good story of the year (Francis)?

Tell those fans to keep in mind you might be able to get Haslem and Doleac or Jeff Foster for Rafer Alston and maybe Luther Head. Also, you can get an even BETTER 2nd rounder than the one you give up by trading Lucas III to New Orleans for their 2nd round pick.

I guarantee you, they'd be all over it.

To the media/fans that see the recent events as a negative, LOOK AT WHAT THE ROCKETS GAVE UP....
I would trade my current car and cash for a used ferrari without the CARFAX report any day of the week!

What is there to worry about? If all are busts, they're contracts are easily moveable. Not too mention how deep the Rockets are now.

 

The moves as of this very second have all been good. Low financial risk and/or short term contracts aquired without giving up anything of significance.

My concern is more with the possible loss of Rafer, which will mean Francis goes from an incredible depth player to a below average starter. Personally I would rather see James or Francis come in off the bench when Yao and/or TMac is out and let them dominate the ball during those stretches because that is how they are most effective. When they are not allowed to dominate the ball (which they shouldn't be most of the time when TMac is in the game), I would prefer Rafer.

Despite his critics, Rafer is a better 3 PT shooter than Francis and considerably better at entry passes, and running an offense without silly self created turn overs. He can't create his own shot, but with all our new scoring options he shouldn't be counted on to do that nearly as much this year, and of course he should have his play time reduced, as he played 10 minutes a game more than his career average last year. At any rate I don't expect that any more discussions about this topic will change any one's mind til the games start.