Oops, hey man I just read my post again, and sorry if it sounded like i was attacking you. I was just using your post as a foundation to get my point across. I didn't mean it like that.
In the interview Steve said he was working more on learning about the game. That might affect and improve his decision making. He also worked on basketball, his conditioning etc. That's great. The guy is a workhorse who wants to win. He also mentioned about letting the play do the teams talking and the playoffs. That's a great attitude. He wants to improve his leadership. That sounds like a good quality in a leader. He also mentioned not minding playing less time, moving positions as long as the team wins. That sounds like good qualities. Somehow, despite this some people came away from the interview saying they don't like him, or that the interview confirmed what they didn't like about him. I honestly don't understand.
Let me explain, for those of us who have watched Francis since his arrival in Houston have become accustomed to his politically correct basketball babble. However, his tone, demeanor, and, most of all, his actions on the court speak volumes to the contrary. He has convinced many of us that he is a selfish player, a ball hog, a prima donna, a would be streetballer who lives for the highlight reel but ends making an ill-advised pass, overdribbling, holding the ball and destroying the timing of the play, and usually making a turnover. Yes, his stats look good, but, he has made little progress in his last four years, and, in my view, his style of play stagnates the team. I am hopeful that JVG will bring change, but I predict that he will encounter resistence from Francis and, then, things will get interesting. I DON'T LIKE STEVE FRANCIS AND I HOPE THAT HE ULTIMATELY GETS TRADED AND I AM NOT ALONE.
Given his value, I'd rather trade Steve than Cat. Steve would fetch more in return (in fantasy trades; BYC and All-Star status make the point moot). Cat and Mooch at least reach out to Yao, while Steve might do so, while also cognizant that he's STEVE FRANCIS: THE SHIZNIT. So we better hope Steve "gets it" this year. Really and for true.
Leadership is not a talent that can be learned or something that one can "improve" upon. Leaders are born. It is not an aquired skill such as a jump shot that one can train or work on. Francis' leadership was given to him by Rudy T and staff. He has not accomplished any extraordinary feats or lead anyone to success. His so-called "leadership" is nothing more than a figment of his imagination and in my opinion his mentality has not the capacity for this role. It is beyond him.
Don't forget driving the lane, football........er.........basketball in hand, amidst 3 and four defenders, praying for the foul.
Hmmm, his action on the court doesn't go with what he says? Like how he actually works hard every off season and comes to camp in shape? Like how he starts to take less shot in the second half of last season? Like how he plays with 110% every game?
he led the league in turnovers.. I still consider him the franchise... he is not perfect... We want a championship but thats in a few years... At least he averages 6+apg, 5.9rpg, and 21.0ppg.. thats good enough on my books... and I KNOW WE ARE MAKING THE PLAYOFFS THIS YEAR
I couldn't disagree more. How can you say that you can't improve your leadership? It's called maturing, and growing up. I can tell you're just one of those people who doesn't WANT Francis to lead the team, so you're making up this crap about how it's impossible to improve your leadership. That makes no sense whatsoever. And if Steve's not the leader of the team, who is? Every damn person on the team says Steve is the leader. From Yao, to Cuttino to Moochie, everyone knows that Steve's the leader of this team, and they have no problem admitting it. So please give the Francis hating a break, cause unless you can back your facts up, they're no good to anyone. A leader is the one who shows up at practice before anyone else, and leaves after everyone else. A leader is the one who calls all of their teammates during the offseason to check up on them. A leader is the one who takes the blame when the team loses, but shares the credit when the team wins. A leader is the one who fights a disease just to force a pre-mature comeback because he sees the team go 1-17 (or whatever) when he's out, but he won't bring up the team's struggles out of respect for them. A leader is the one who is willing to sacrifice his own stats for the advancement of the team. A leader is the one who is willing to physically fight for his teammates when they're too timid to stand up for themselves. Francis has all these qualities, so don't throw out that crap about him not being a leader.
If leadership can be learned, then how is it that every one in the NBA or NFL or MLB or what so ever is not a leader. The reason other players such as Moochie and Yao say that Francis is the leader is because the Rockets organization says that he's the leader and they back it up by paying him 80 plus million. And some of these people you say are sceptical at that. Yao a rookie in a foriegn league and a foriegn land that hardly speaks english and knows almost nobody. He looks up to Steve because the Rockets tell him that he is the "franchise". Could not be more wrong! Cat has had known disagreements with Steve and IMO Cat does not look at Steve as a leader. And whose to blame Cat? What has Steve done. NOTHING. Don't try to hand me the All Star crap. It's a popularity vote. Most everyone "matures and grows up", it does not mean they become leaders. Not everyone is a leader of man. It takes special characteristics, none that I see in Francis.
disease??? It gave him migrane headaches! It's not like he had a degenerative bone disorder or he had cancer and was cutting his chemo therapy short to come back and help the team. Give me a break! He has done nothing! NOTHING!!
And he probably needs to show up earlier and stay even later at practice because it obviously didn't stop the sloppy play. And Rudy had lackidasical practices anyway. It's not like they were filled with hard work or anything.
Here's a few things: * One of three players in NBA history to average at least 20 ppg, 6 apg and 6 rpg for his career total. The other 2 being Oscar Robertson and Magic Johnson (2 Hall of Fame players * 1999-2000 NBA Co-Rookie of the Year * One of 4 players in NBA history to lead his team in points, rebounds and assists * First rookie in over 40 years to lead his team in points, assists and steals in one season * First player in Franchise history to total 400 reb and 500 assts in one season * First rookie in Franchise history to win NBA player of the week * Holds the all-time Franchise record for most assists by a rookie in one season * Only the 7th rookie in history to average at least 15 ppg, 5 rpg and 5 apg for the season * Only rookie in NBA history to rank within the top 5 in all 9 of the statistical categories tracked by the NBA No mention of the all-star game there.
well, it is called Meniere's Disease. perhaps you and the AMA can have a sit down about its reclassification.
Thank you! I was gonna post that in response to that "disease?!?" comment, but I couldn't find the name.
