Caught bits and pieces. Hopefully someone else can fill in the rest. Talked about his basketball camp Talked about free throw shooting (said aim with your elbow) Said he could still play 15 mins a game in today's NBA (even though he is 55) Said that he doesn't shave an "M" into his head, that he is just losing his hair Said his favorites in the playoffs are Sacramento, Minnesota and .........................Houston Talked about how he was an underrated passer (Rockets all time assist leader) Said that the game has to be run through the big man, and that when M. Malone came here, he instantly deffered to him and the Rockets almost beat the Celtcs in the finals The most interesting thing he said, and I only caught the tail end of it, was that he felt Steve was "rebelling against the system" and the he has lost his focus.
Yeah, he said Steve is kind of rebelling, I guess he meant subconsciencely or whatever because he qualified it by saying he is playing hard, he just needs to get over it and concentrate on basketball.
Lots of signs, yes. Lots more games and playoffs, too, to rewrite those signs. There is plenty of time to cement his future in Houston -- or get a ticket East (or West or North). His trade outta here is etched in sand, not stone.
Thanks for adding that. Calvin did mention that Steve plays hard. Made it sound like more of a mental issue. The "rebelling" comment is what threw me off and what you said makes sense, that maybe he meant that its subconcious. IMO, if Steve was out and out rebelling, and not doing what JVG is instructing him to do, he would have been benched, or at the very least, his mins would be substantially reduced.
Calvin has always been a big believer in Yao. Too bad Yao isn't Moses Malone though. That dude could board.
Yes, things could change, but I still think there is a big fat chance he will be traded this offseason, unless: 1. Rox make the playoff AND 2. They win a least 1 or 2 games in the first round series, and hold on tight in the others. AND 3. Steve Francis plays big in the first round. Although they said the only goal this year is to make the playoff, fans and organization will expect more once we make it. Eveyone will be upset If it is a disappointing/humiliating series. (I am still half/half on if we could make the playoff though).
How many posts have we had praising Francis for "doing his best" to adjust to JVG's system!!?? I have always suspected otherwise, and Calvin is a very credible source. It is all about the Rockets, no person is greater than the team. Changes have to be made for the betterment of the Rockets. Surely, even FOF's can see this now.
Yeah, he did say that Francis was rebelling against the system. That it's not easy to change the way you've always played, but that the Championship is always won through the big man, giving examples of Hakeem, Shaq, and Duncan. The radio guy said that it's tough for this new generation to understand that because they grew up with Jordan and Isaiah, and Calvin agreed. He always talked positive of Francis and how great he thought he was and how much he hustles. About his shooting, he said that Francis was just thinking about too much stuff - pass, shoot, drive, and that he needs to leave that out, so it's not thinking, it's just a motion when he gets the ball. He thinks Steve is a great shooter. He always used himself as an anology, but it's not that bad, considering he's in the hall of fame. The best was when they took calls and the first call was - "I have a hitch in my shot." It sounded like a joke of a question, considering the priar conversation, but Calvin actually answered the question pretty easily. Calvin is a great analyst, makes me wonder if he'll consider coaching, besides his camps.
I liked the part of the interview where Calvin talked about his fighting skills and the NBA back in the day.
I've heard CM a few times on the radio and I enjoyed it both times. He seems to really know his stuff, and that doesn't always come out on TV as he sometime jokes around too much for my taste. I don't know if he'd do it but a regular radio spot in the afternoon or morning once a week would be great.
Beat me to it. Personally, I doubt that Steve has too much open conflict with JVG, simply because I have trouble he'd be playing as hard as he is if he was truly in open warfare and not trying to adapt. But even if he were, the absolute worst thing JVG could do would be to bench him. The more intent JVG is on getting Steve off the team, the more incentive he has to maintain the value of the commodity. That's not necessary with players with expiring contracts or for guys who have little trade value (or college). But Steve is a good player and does have value.
Steves always been a very mental player, remember a couple of seasons ago, or was it last season, he would take a buzzer beater 3 at the end of the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd quarter, make it, but then couldn't make the same shot to "win" the game, he could make it to tie it and throw it into overtime but steves game is all in his head, hes a great player that is struggling to be natural in a non natural system, or a system hes not used to... hes a head case, lets just hope he figures things out, I mean for christ sakes, can you imagine our team, playing the way it is now, with Steve actually being the scoring threat he was in seasons past? Now thats a Contender.
I hope we sign Calvin too, 55 yrs old is not the end, it is just the beginning... CM can do anything he wants if he just tries really hard.
