I think he is being a team player now. Given 2-3 years ago, he would have bashed RA big time. Not anymore, he is willing to take the challenge of working harder (at least he said so).
well when every coach you play for pretty much casts you away, you start looking at yourself for faults.
(the typical "me being at the game" opening...) .At halftime Steve Francis hardly or didnt at ALL warm up. He went way to the FAR OPPOSITE side of the court away from the team bench, and was several rows in the stands gabbing it up with people, possible celebrities or something...almost in a way like he was more wondering where the hangout was gonna be that night than with preparedness for the game & working toward getting a spot (well obviously). It cold speak volumes, or it could be harmless catching up with friends. I noticed late, didnt see him make his way to the stands so take that for what its worth... In a group of players where no one really grades much better or worse than the other, or their effectiveness on the court is about even, the deciding factor is how they they "want it" or how they carry themselves professionally. Francis might be a 8.0 compared to Alston's 6.5, but in a coach's mind if you have indifference to preparation it makes you undependable. Some coaches would rather the consistent 6.5 rather than a 9 one week and 4 the next. Its all about trust factor with a coach, knowing what he wants and doing whatever it takes to mirror those needs... Dang Steve, the knuckleheadedness is tolerable cuz , but thats not a DIFFICULT concept to learn...Its just NOT about your feelings and state of mind sometimes, geez
He wants to play, He is responding in a bit of an immature fashion but the fact is, he believes he is the best Point Guard on the team. Adelman is playing it smart in not giving time to Francis just yet, He will earn it..... No one can deny that he "could" be the closer we have been looking for and a great leader come playoffs.
The thread isn't about our point guard and who should play. It's about Steve Francis standing in a huddle while not playing or Steve Francis laying on his back. If it was a thread about who should be our point guard, then I would say it was important to the team. If it's about Steve not standing in a huddle during one game, then it doesn't mean that much at all.
When you b**** after a single game, it's a red flag. When you b**** after a win, it's a red flag. When you talk to the media about wanting an increased role, it's a red flag. Francis expected to star and be a part of a "big three" and didn't bother earning it. He got benched because he's the 9th or 10th most effective player on the team. That he's not even attempting to keep this in house or be a man about it is disturbing. I love Steve, but if it doesn't work out, he needs to go before he starts pulling his locker room cancer routine that he's already pulled in all 3 NBA stops. Send him to Cleveland if it keeps up. Evan
He was never a locker room cancer in Houston. NEVER. Sure during his time here he dribbled too much, made bad decisions, played hard every game, ect. but he was never a locker room cancer for Houston. Did people forget all those times Francis stood up for Yao? From what I remember, those teams were very close with each other. To be honest, I think everything is getting exaggerated and blown out of proportion. Really though, why haven't we heard anything from the Rockets themselves about this situation. Nothing but fans playing psychiatrist from what they saw on TV. It's only ONE game folks, if this pattern continues through the month, then its a real problem. For now, just enjoy that Houston Rocket basketball is back. Stop trying to find something to complain about.
I got no problem with Francis acting this way for one game. Haven't you guys ever wanted something so bad. You dreamed of it. You tasted it. You wanted to win. Only to lose at the last minute. It's what guys do when they get beat in the NCAA tournament. The sulk and some of them cry. I once ran in a very important 10,000 meter meet. It was supposed to be the race of my life and I performed like crap. Do you think I wanted to talk to my teammates after that? No. I just went off by myself and I could even hear the coach tell my teamates, just leave him alone. He'll work it out himself. So yeah, one game Francis sulks no big deal. If he acts like this for many games...Houston we have a problem.
I agree with you but SF is a lightening rod in Houston. For both good, bad and medium, whatever he does gets magnified. For the discussion to die down, he needs to not make public comments that stir controversy (and, yes, that means dodging some questions) and act like he's interested in the game when he's on the bench. He isn't stupid and realizes those actions will draw attention. You ask why we haven't heard anything from the Rockets. Since when did teams issue statements about lockerroom matters? The team was very tight-lipped about Bonzi last year. The only "statement" they issued was Adelman saying SF didn't report to camp in good shape, which is a very loud statement indeed. Like you, I say we should focus on the team and not SF. But some of it is on SF not to stick out like a sore thumb.
That's true but to be fair, I wouldn't say Bonzi was a "locker room cancer" last year either. He just didn't get a long with JVG. I don't think he was a distraction or caused unneeded tension off the court that hurt the team. Just look at our success last year. Yes, he could have helped if he did play but that fact that he was not in shape and didn't play was not hurting us. The only person that is hurting is Steve Francis himself. His actions are only going to effect him. Because I don't really see how Francis not being a cheerleader is going to make a big difference on our game. Let's be serious, having Francis as a cheerleader or not isn't going to affect the outcome of the game. So until Francis starts to cause REAL problems within the team, this isn't that big of a deal.
The issue with him not cheerleading is that it may be symptomatic of his attitude. Whether he's playing or not, SF needs to be into the games mentally. If not, he shouldn't be in uniform. It was great watching Scola, AB, Landry and Novak getting fired up on the bench against the Lakers. SF should be a part of that instead of acting like a loner. Just my 2 cents.
You guys are treating Steve Francis like his name is Brittany Spears. Constantly trying to poke him in the eye. What kind of shoes is he wearing?, oh yea, trade him! Please give us a break! He's is upset what do you want from him. Woudn't you be? He was traded from here, he swallowed his pride and came back to a team with a player he was traded for. He said he'd do whatever the team needs him to do, whatever role they needed him too and just because he not happy to be on the bench and not in the rotation, he gets slammed about "how" his sitting on the bench. Smile Steve, be happy Steve. I just don't understand some of the post around here.
The issue with him not cheerleading is that it may be symptomatic of his attitude. Whether he's playing or not, SF needs to be into the games mentally. If not, he shouldn't be in uniform. It was great watching Scola, AB, Landry and Novak getting fired up on the bench against the Lakers. SF should be a part of that instead of acting like a loner. Just my 2 cents.
