Nice find. It's contrary to what most on the board believe though (SF is slacking in practice, negative attitude etc), and it is coming out of Philly where you have to figure the writer doesn't know a whole lot about the situation that he's talking about. But still, interesting.
'Don't trust what anyone says'... did you really mean to say that? Make up your own mind, sure. But if you are going contrary to experts with proven track records you should consider maybe you don't know as much as you'd like to think. Then you'd think TMac and Yao would be the top 2 man for the Rockets, but it's TMac and Alston. It also depends on who they're playing against. If you looked at Lenovos from last year and now this year it's quite apparent that he is very effective running the offense. As you look from 1 through 5 player Lenovos, you'll see Rafer consistently at or near the very top; more consistently than anyone else including TMac and Yao. And we know it isn't because of his shooting....
I like Francis a lot but have never been a fan of his game most of the time and he showed that again this preseason. So, I never was big into letting him play. But, last night he impressed me a little. He never dominated the ball, only took shots in the context of the offense, he moved the ball around the perimeter crisply and made some nice passes in the paint. This is not a Francis I'm used to seeing. It looked (for one game at least) that he has really bought into the system and his role as a role player. If he can hit his open jumpers from deep, we really have something here but that has never been Francis' forte throughout his career. But, if he continues to get minutes and consistantly plays like he did last night, then it would really force the organization to make a real decision between him or Rafer with one being moved at some point.
Steve's game is not the stand around 3 ball shooter. His game is attack and he is very good from inside the 3 point line. That's where I want to see him taking shots at, breaking down the D, getting to the rim and dishing or taking the 12-17 footer.
If he plays like he did against the Suns, that is a waste of his talents. He has a wicked crossover and he should be driving to the hoop. He can finish and needs to get to the rim. He gets to the foul line a lot and led the league last year in free throw shooting percentage. If the defenses collapse on him, then he can dish the ball back out. That's what Steve does best. If Adleman can't figure out how to use him, then maybe it would be best if Francis reunited with his good friends Mobley and Cassell.
Um, where did I say he belongs standing at the 3 pt. line? I know what his game is and said as much. BUT, with Yao and TMac attracting defenses he HAS TO be able to hit a few outside shots. He doesn't have to shoot 40%+ from 3, but he has to make the defense stay somewhat honest when he is out there.
We need someone to pass the ball, and the assistances will be the strong evidence who are on or not. Additionally, Francis has got no chance...
I'm willing to bet that Francis can hit more open 3pt shots than Rafer can. Never in my life have I seen a player brick so many 3's and keep taking them. My analysis on how Stevie played ... I knew he would be a different player. He more than often passed the ball off to Luther Head to do pick n rolls with a big man rather than doing so himself (kind of like Rafer to Tmac), which I didn't get, because Stevie is better off the pick n roll than Luther. His shot was off, as expected. But I also think his strengths werent used to his maximum potential. I think he played fairly well but for him not to be used to penetrate primarily is not helping this team as much as it could. When Francis ran the point, he usually just looked for Head coming off a screen (those 2 actually play pretty well together) and that's fine I guess, but he should have penetrated whenever he had the chance ... instead of pulling up for the jumper. On another note, it would be extremely disappointing for Stevie to request a trade and leave the Rockets right after all his fans from here finally accepted that he's back. There's still something that he offers this team, and I really think we need his ability to turn it up when it counts (i.e. playoff series against lakers) when the playoffs are goin on. We've seen what Rafer and Mike do during big games. Rafer frankly bricks shots 3/4 of the time. Mike James can either do what Rafer does or he can make 3/4 of the shots ... But he dominates the ball and you know he's not goin to give it up. (btw, he dominates the ball more than francis from what ive seen this year). Neither of those 2 pgs can consistently get to the line and get easy pts. And neither of those players have this will to win about them. Mike James' fire is very different than Francis. Mike James' fire is more "I'm goin to prove that I have game" while Francis' is more like "I'm not going to let my team lose." I ranted a little bit ... But ya, Francis will be needed. If he's moved, I'll be very concerned about us come playoff time. When it counts, Tmac and Yao aren't enough by themselves.
francis cannot pass the ball? did you watch the last game? his career avg in assists are better than rafer
rofl rofl I will give it to you...that made me laugh! But I still sense a perverted sick mind living inside the walls of your face and hair. Btw...I dont live with mom or in an apartment complex, although nothing is wrong with either. But how's the low-end trailer park part of town where you live at doing?
I love the dish to an open Scola (and he scores) from Francis when he penetrates and the Suns defense tries to collapse on him. The other pass to Yao was very impressive also.
Trade all of three (Rafer, MJ, Stevie) for Derek Fisher, and there's our championship team. I wish he would've consider Houston's hospital system. I've never seen that guy miss an open 3, I swear. He's like the perfect player to go with Yao and T-Mac.
We know what Rafer brings to the table. Enough air balls to shoot a plane out of the sky, enough bricks to build a house and enough floaters to fill a swimming pool. Rafer is Rafer and he's had his time here, he needs a couple of DNP next to his name while Steve gets a crack to play with the starters and shake some rust. What could it hurt? A four game losing streak? Steve has a tremendous up side, where Rafer is topped out. He will never be a great shooter, great? I mean a average shooter and a average PG.
