I just don't understand the disdain and disrespect shown for Steve by some members. Steve gave many of us some sleepless nights with his flaws, but I never feel comfortable hearing "fans" hoping he fails and not rooting for him to return and provide a positive contribution. Let him end his career where he wanted to be; in Houston; as a Rocket. This is a player, however talented and/or flawed, who loves Houston and has given his all for this team. He had some very good seasons and may never step back on the floor for us again, but he is willing. I will applaud him if he plays and be glad for him if he contributes. Show some respect and gratitude.
Concur. I'm no Steve apologist, but I don't understand the negativity towards him. Are those of us who want to see him pay supposed to feel bad about that? Ridiculous.
I don't have disdain or disrespect for SF3 I just get tired of the whole, "We want Steve", "He's better than X", "He should be starting" Etc. thing some posters have for the guy. The end of the SF3-Cuttino-Cato era was about the least entertaining basketball I've ever seen the rockets play. When we got Yao it started to get better but SF3 couldn't adapt and brought us Tmac. For that I'm grateful but what should I show gratitude for? Right now his contract is keeping us from signing a backup to Yao like Mutumbo. I'd rather have Mutumbo sitting on the bench then coming in for 5 mins a game for defense than SF3 sitting there cheering. I've said it before and I'll say it again. I want the guy to succeede but I have my doubts. Come on Steve. Prove me wrong or retire so we can sign Mutumbo.
You gotta be kiddin me, though I was a bulls fan. Whenever I tuned to "Paramount 20" to watch the Rockets in the champion yrs till the lockout season, I was bored out of misery watching them play. Hakeem's dream shake was great but exciting it wasnt. It wasnt as fun to watch as MJ's turnaround fadeaway or Steves allleys,crossovers,buzzerbeaters. Though 1999-2003 were not great seasons win wise, there were by far the most exciting games I have ever seen from the Rockets in the last 20 yrs. Alot of close competitive games were Steve,Cat and Yao were out there playing there hearts out. Yea we didnt make it out of the first round in SF3 last season. But we aint made it out sense, yea the 23 Game win streak was awesome all until the future champs annihilated us. Oh and plz Mutumbo isnt and wont make a big difference at the moment. He hasnt played in months so what makes you think he is ready to back up Yao.
Remember when the offense was basically just have Francis or Mobley isolated on one side of the court with everyone else on the other side and Rudy T yelling every time about illegal D? Exciting times... Still, I don't see why so many root against Francis. If we ever won a championship with this crew, it would be much sweeter if Francis had some part to play in the whole business. He will never be the Franchise again, but I can't root against a guy who loved playing here so much.
Yeah I like watching a team actually run an offense. Dump it into the post, let the big guy work, draw a double team and then exploit it with a good pass or beat it and get fouled... Compared to SF3 era ISO, Dribble, crossover, show off, skip up court, dribble some more, uhhh ohh shot clock is going off time to make a decision... dribble off my foot or chunk up an ill fated three. Give me strong post play, spot up shooters and cutters anyday of the week.
I'm not a Tracy hater in anyway. But I'd like to point out something. In terms of roster space, we have 14. In terms of $$$ before Luxury Tax... there are other worse contracts than Stevie's. 1. Steve's contract is only 2-3 million. And with the possibility of him coming back, I'd take it. Especially with the ways our guards are going down. (not just Tracy) 2. Tracy is getting payed 22 million. That is around 10 times more than Stevie. Sure, without Tracy we are losing a lot, but that is the point. Apparently he can play... but he just doesn't want to play hurt. Why? 22 million dollars that is suppose to motivate him isn't cutting out for him. And you should be grateful for the passion and heart he showed playing for us. There are many players that comes to team that haven't done that. Some people would name Tracy into this category, but I'm specifically looking at the Bonzis and Pippens.
I have problems with my camera so I have not got to post the pictures I have of STEVE 1. Balancing a straw as the game is going on between his lips and nose. (way to keep your head in the game team) 2. Balancing the straw on his arm. (what a talent this guy is) 3. So far up his nose he scratched his brain probably. (the guys heart is in the right place isn't it?) I can't wait for him to suit up and meet BBS expectations.
I was chanting "We want Steve" at end of the Golden State game and got quite a few of the suits near me to join in. It didn't work.
What do you consider Exciting? The JVG era was filled with boring *ss basketball Alot of it was: give tracy the ball Give it to Rafer Give it back to Tracy Off balanced shot Dunks per game went WWAAAAYYYY down? People complained Steve could not run the fastbreak not like we been fastbreak central since he left hell . . sometimes it looks like T-Mac REFUSES to run it If you like Dump it in Drive and Dish was no different . . get the ball the the paint/middle and kick it out only difference HAKEEM has someone to hit the three Steve had WALT FRICKING WILLIAMS! Rocket River
The prob with Steve is that he has turned into a cheaper, less controversial version of Starbury. A more apt comparison is that he's become Bonzi Wells. In other words, he's become an unreliable, untrustworthy, malcontent. Does anybody here actually believe the "explanations" that keep coming out for why he isn't playing? I mean, he gets held out for a cold for crying out loud, when he's already been out the rest of the season with various mysterious injuries. The only credible explanation is that he's lost the will to play. I give Steve props for some nice highlights in his early career, but I simply can not root for someone who is abusing the fans' good will.
WTF? The difference between Steve and all of the players you listed is that he wants to be here. I've not heard him say once that Rick Adelman is unfair, that he's unwavering, or anything of the sort. The fans might be livid, but Steve is just happy to be a Rocket. As for losing his will to play? He gets the same money if he sits on the bench or sits at home. He wants to be with the team so he can play. He's not there just to support his buddy Yao, he's there cause he wants to be. But please, still roll out your asinine comments. Look, I'm not saying Steve is gonna play at even 70% of what he used to be, but he'll bring this team heart. He wants to be here, case closed.
ha, so yall were the ones near Sec 416? or so near us in 421 that started, we joined in, but didn't catch on.
I am hoping to see Steve play soon. I know he's supposed to be out of....basketball shape...because if I remember correctly they were saying he's lost 15 lbs from last year. Another offensive player coming off the bench is always a good thing. We all saw what happened with the Grizzley loss. The offense just dried up. Nobody could get anything going. That would have been a perfect time for a game shape ready Steve Francis situation. What do ya'll think give steve another week or two before he plays on the court?
