To me, the biggest problems steve is having are these three 1.) Jim jackson, just kidding, but if i see steve drive and dish to JJ on the wing for 3 bricks in a row I am going to cry, the thing is that since two and sometimes three of our starters can't hit a shot is killing us. Steve gets doubled on every Pick and roll because cato's man simply leaves him with his no offensive game at the top of the key. How can you expect steve to pass up shots, albeit difficult shots in the lane for consistant bricks, they are momentum killers. 2.) Defense: getting torched by every pg due to our big men not being able to defend the Pick and roll is pitiful, he should either be able to adapt and allow him to take the advantages (Super shot blocking) and disadvantages (wasting energy chasing pgs around picks) of having to C's on the court 3.)Finishing: Steves extrodinary ability to rise above defenders and finish was his greatest strength in the past years, but lately he complains way to much about fouls hes causing by reverse windmilling simple layups. Then after that he just shoots the 16 foot J, leaving his teamates unaware whether to crash the boards for the J or clear the lane for the drive. His handle has seemed weaker than in past years and overall quickness seems down to me.
Francis will never overcome his problems because all the coaches are too scared of him. I honestly thought JVG would shake things up, but he's on Francis jock as much as Rudy T was. Why doesn't JVG criticize him or anything. It's never Francis's fault according to him. Everyone can see that Francis's defense sucks, but does JVG say anything about this?? No he gives Francis a freaking trophy for good defense. Until JVG stops being scared of Francis, he won't change and this team will go no where.
well I admire your persistence. Another NBA coach with a winning record doesn't want to run Steve out of town, and you don't think for second that they might see something that you don't? I'll be the first to admit that Steve has problems, and even persistent problems. I don't think his defense is consistently bad, though, but that's besides the point. I wouldn't even say you should feel 100% wrong, but to think that because a second coach doesn't see things the same way as you do and that they are wrong is pretty presumptuous. Keep on truckin' if you want, though.
I think fans are exaggerating Steve's play and its "negativity" on the team. I disagree with points 1 and 3. Only his defense is lackluster. I believe this is a guy who is playing out of position, and it is the coach's responsibility to see that. Whether he has someone else bring up the ball, or have someone else as the designated playmaker. Passing to JJ for 3 bricks...why, cuz he was wide open?? JJ has been one of the more consistent 3-point shooters on the team. If he's open, he has every right to shoot and Steve has every right to pass to him. I think the whole "lets blame Steve" tirade is getting old, and even stupid. Yes, he is not a PG, but trading him is not the answer.
Steve's biggest problems is his critics. Why don't you guys lay off of Steve. You guys always point out his flaws. Every player in the NBA has flaws. Iverson shoots too much, Marbury is too selfish, Kobe is too selfish, Vince is too fragile and soft, etc...... Why can't you guys see the positives in Steve's game instead of placing the blame on him all the time. How he's willing to learn and not complain under Van Gundy's new philosophy.
Steve's biggest problem is that Rox does not want to pay for another PG, thus allowing Steve to move to 2.
Moochie getting $4 million is a probably a big reason why Steve continues to play the point. Moving Steve over to the shooting guard means they will have a glut at shooting guard with only Moochie playing the point. This will expose the roster moves and signings made over the last few years as being very bad. CD does not want this.
What makes you think Steve is willing to learn, the fact that his number of shots per game is the same as last year? Maybe that he is averaging a career low in assists per game (big surprise there as it has happened every season)? His constantly being beaten by 2nd and 3rd string PGs like Raul Lopez and Mo Williams? I know, it is the fact that he makes almost a quarter of a turnover less per game than last year (in less playing time, only a drop of 0.06 TO/48). If anything, he has gotten worse. As for not complaining, he is second in all-star voting and has a max contract, WTF does he have to complain about?
I especially agree with this point. Sometimes Steve blows by his man (he can do this whenever he wants), and then tries a difficult shot in an attempt to draw a foul when he could have just layed the ball in the basket. He's just trying to make the game too difficult. When you have a layup, take it. I've also seen him get right to the rim and then force a pass when he has an easy layup. Also, if the defender is taking away a certain direction (right), please try going left at least once. Against Cassell, Sam was taking away the drive to the right, and Steve blatantly tried to force it right anyway. Sam flopped, but Steve luckily didnt get called for the charge. Steve needs to stop trying to get away with these little things, along with his many pointless travels and carries. You never know when the ref is gonna randomly start calling these things (in LA, for example. or maybe in the playoffs if we ever get there). One last critique I have of Steve's game is the fact that he constantly catches the ball with an open shot, but he refuses to shoot it without dribbling it a few times. He needs to spend a few summers just catching and shooting if he's going to be successful on a team with a hopefully great passing big man.
His selection doesn't seem to have improved either since he is shooting a career low in FG% and 3pt%.
What makes him any different than Yao who constantly get outhustled and outmuscled by 2nd and 3rd string centers and power forwards. I'm a true Rockets fan and from a neutral standpoint, all of the Rockets are playing less than they are capable of, but to constantly scrutinize Francis for mistakes is stupid. Ming is soft as wet tissue paper. Can he at least grab a rebound with fling that big ass head everywhere? Cato is constantly taking 18 ft. jumpers when his range is more like 3 to 5 feet away. JJ is the only player who understand that it's more than one way to be a key part to a game if your shot is not falling. Mobley doesn't understand the give and go. It's more like give and take for him. Poor Francis just looks confused out there because everybody wants him to take over one night and defer to Yao the next. It seems to me that you're complaining more than him, which is a good sign.
He doesn't get outplayed by second and third string centers. Unlike Francis, Yao routinely has convincingly better games than his opponents. I feel lucky if Steve can just match the opposing PG. Just look up MacBeth's Steve vs. X-men thread, you will see that Steve is below the average production for PGs this year. Yao grabs 9.5 rebounds per game, up from last year and good for 14th in the NBA. That is also 1st on the team by a board and a half. I agree. Cato should stick much closer to the basket. To be fair, this probably has as much to do with JVG as it does with Cato. I disagree. Cat has been our best perimeter defender and has specifically said that he takes as much or more pleasure from a good game on defense as he does on offense. [/quote]Mobley doesn't understand the give and go. It's more like give and take for him.[/quote] Cat is averaging a career high in assists. His 3 per game is middle of the pack among shooting guards, and very good considering he is the third option on the team. In previous years people could legitimately complain about Cat's passing, but not this season. Not everyone wants him to take over any night. I would prefer he never take over. Cat and Yao are both better scoring options than Francis. I would prefer he learn how to be a distributor (not likely) or be shipped to a team that cares more about highlights than winning, as it is obvious that Steve does.
