I with DavidS on this one. Only 2 out of 82 have been played. Give it a break and wait till the All-Start Weekend to see how this team is doing.
They are showing his dunks and last second shot on ESPN Motion. If you want to get it to save as a highlight, go here: C:/Documents and Settings/All Users/Application Data/DIGStream/ESPNMotion. You might have to show all hidden folders/files. The file is called hu_041103magic1v.wm9_548k.motion_trans.wmv
people talk about his turnover,but dont forget we lost 6 rebounds , 6 dimes and alot of created shote from the point gurad spot also.... alot of people said we didnt need a point guard to do what francis could do we just needed someone who can run the offense and pass.you get what you ask for.
I always supported JVG and said that the players were the problem, but after watching the whole Orlando game and Rockets game simultaneously I'm starting to question that. The Orlando Magic were fast breaking and Stevie Franchise was looking like a superstar. I'm beginning to think that the Rockets made a major mistake in getting rid of the Franchise and not getting rid of Van Gundy.
You guys know me, I've defended Francis from the harshist of criticism from guys like DavidS and nWo34life for years, but even I know this is just one game and it's too early to call this trade a mistake or to think that Francis going to put up numbers like this for the entire season. I do agree that this team lost it's heart and soul though and we really need an energy guy on this team. There's a reason T-Mac has so many nicknames that have to do with sleeping and napping. I know Yao says he's ready to step up and be a team leader, but he doesn't have the overt personality to fire the team up and I think that's a crucial part to any sports team. As for Vangrumpy, anybody who didn't expect this team to have a terrible and boring offense when he came over, regardless of the players on the team, just never watched his Knicks play. Look at T-mac, he's definately a superior player compared to Francis, but they're both scoring guards. Expect to see T-mac struggle in some of the same ways Francis did.
Good showing for Francis and Howard wasn't bad either. It's very good to see Hill back and hopefully he can stay healthyt for an extended period of time.
Howard's an interesting guy. http://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/basketball/magic/orl-spt-magicconf110204,1,1574241.column?coll=orl-magic
I think people are getting the 34 points from NBA.com's stats: http://www.nba.com/games/20041103/MILORL/boxscore.html I wouldn't ever call the trade a "mistake" per se', but I do think fans (especially on this board) devalued some of what Steve brought to the table and focused solely on his turnovers or the fact that we weren't running as much as people would like or that Yao wasn't getting the ball as much as people thought he should. I have a feeling we'll see that last season Steve adjusted his game more than anyone realized. (on the other hand, it's just one game against the mediocre Milwaukee Bucks and what do I know)
From the Orlando Sentinel (Orlando Sentinel ) Francis took a mild swipe at T-Mac, whose Rockets are 0-2, saying, "I think both teams got what they wanted. If [the Rockets] want guys to walk up the court and shoot fade-away jump shots, they got what they want. If the Magic want a team of players who get up and down the court, then they got what they wanted."
Those are my exact thoughts, Oski2005. I do miss Francis & Mobley's hearts and emotions. I wish them well and hopefully meet them in the finals in the coming seasons. A few interesting notes from ESPN's recap: After a three-minute review, the officials let the shot stand but reset the clock and brought the Magic back out for Francis' free throw. Francis intentionally missed the foul shot, and time expired. This is a reference to the last play of the game. I thought it was classy for Francis to miss the shot. I think a lot of players would've made the shot to improve their stats. Attendance was 15,138. Orlando hasn't sold out a season opener since the 1998-99 lockout season. That's crazy. They didn't sell out the openers for Hill & TMac's openers, even when they just joined the team???!!! I love Francis and all, but Hill & TMac's should've been a bigger attraction. Even if Hill was injured for the openers, TMac along should've drawn a full house. Kudos' to the Orlando org for promoting their team and getting their fans out there. Howard's FT : 0-6 Those are Shaq #s.
Notice the plural, I think it was a swipe at JVG, not TMac. It's kind of immature to say it, but in a way I can understand (understand, not approve) of what he says. He sacrifised his game for the team and the team wanted a new bride. Good luck Stevie, I'll be rooting for you, but please don't make any more of these childish remarks.
i think you should realize that T-mac became the star that he is in that year. He wasn't a star before he went to orlando, he was a very talented youngster with great potential. But not near the status he has now. so i can understand why it was not sold out.
I'm really happy for Steve Francis. I think people underestimated his leadership ability when he was here. One of the beefs against Steve was that he wasn't a leader. I just think he wasn't the kind of leader that people were used to. But the team did kind of take on Steve's personality when he was here.(That can be both good and bad). But it did have a personality, and a cohesive direction they were heading in. Now T-Mac isn't high energy, and doesn't appear to exert the energy that Steve did. Yao is either too injured or not ready to mold the team into his own. Even if our PG isn't our leader we need to upgrade at this spot badly. The team needs somebody to the leader right now. Once we get that I think the rest of the players will settle more comfortably into their roles. Saying all of that, I still think we had to make the trade we did. Having a T-Mac and Yao combo was too good to pass up. One of them needs to step up as leader, and we will be ok. A good start would be for the whole team to put forth a workman like effort. I want to see them give everything they have out there.
Im sooo frusterated. Yao and McGrady could never be Shaq and Kobe minis. It just not possible. Yao cannot dominate enough. He does not have the explosiveness. Pleaaaaase Prove Me Wrong Yao. Please. I literally hate watching games so far this season. I used to be the biggest rockets fan watching every minute of every game. But ever since JVG came, he has made it very difficult to watch, especially when he doesnt show any emotion. We need to fire him and bring in Phil Jackson. I know, i know.. I said it. I just hate watching JVG moan, groan, and B!tch about everything. If not Phil, then another coach that could make this team more exciting. eyhab
