Man, I am getting tired of being the (self-appointed) reality-check for this thread. I repeat: NOBODY on this board knows what kind of Steve Francis we'll see when training camp starts. Everyone is just guessing, including me. And watching highlights of Steve from a few years ago may be fun, but they just make the haters here roll their eyes. When it comes to the question of whether Steve can actually play well enough this year to crack the rotation, here's the video to watch: <object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/icuT1PJ43nw&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/icuT1PJ43nw&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object> That was less than a year ago, when he was admittedly playing in pain and with his athleticism severely compromised. I don't know about the rest of you guys, but in my mind, that injured version of Steve Francis is a massive improvement over the healthy Bobby Jackson we had last year. If his surgery gives him back any of that athleticism, it's a no-brainer. We're looking to take it all this year, and Aaron Brooks is simply not ready yet (if he ever will be) to be the #2 PG on an NBA-championship team. Francis is experienced, smart enough, has already changed his game to a more team-styled approach, and -- most importantly -- is absolutely FEARLESS. Whether some of you like or not, if Steve comes back this year and is able to play pain-free, even if he has no more hops than he did last year, he automatically becomes the #1 wildcard as to whether or not we can win a championship. Assuming Adelman can keep everyone on the same page (and that's his job, no?), adding Artest and an even semi-healthy Steve Francis completely changes the personality of the Rockets and we would no longer be afraid of ANYone. If the surgery improves him, or at least stabilizes him and reduces the pain, it's an absolute no-brainer. As for the misguided notion that SF is only here because the team felt some kind of loyalty toward him, that may be the most inane thing I've ever heard. A smart guy like Daryl Morey doesn't tie up important money on a two-year contract because Steve pounded his chest a few times against the Lakers in the playoffs. "Steve Francis RIP!"? Give me a break. Last year's dead Steve Francis would still be more likely to help us get a ring this year than a live Bobby Jackson or Aaron Brooks. And I say all this despite the fact that I wasn't a big Francis fan when he was here the first time. But we're not talking about making him the focal point of the entire team -- we're talking about having an experienced, difference-making PG running the second team.
You Francis haters don't understand. We're not talking about a role player, Steve is a bona fide former allstar/elite scorer. You guys love Landry for finishing around the rim, Steve used to mash on guys all night. True he dribbled a lot and isn't a true pointguard, but honestly that team wasn't going anywhere near winning a championship, and he gave a good show and played with heart (we'll pretend the superbowl never happened). And it isnt like he's 2-3 years removed from the league. Francis will be back. He loves this city and we should be throwing our support behind his efforts.
Seems like after steve got up funky from that last play, where we stole that ball form amare, he has never been the same. Hopefully all of his injuries healed and he'll be back to being our human highlight reel. Take notice...he doesnt even need a dunk to create jaw dropping highlights. Great post Topfive!
FTW! seriously Stevie finally got the surgery that he should have gotten years ago to help his knee out. He may not be the "franchise" anymore but he doesnt need to me. And he was starting to play a whole lot better during that stretch where we won a few games...he hurt his back bad in the GS game that sealed the deal, but that phoenix game alone shows that he still has "it" in him given the chance. We aren't looking for the 23/6/6 stevie francis circa 2001. Him giving half of that coming off the bench would be a huge boost (i dont think he'll score that much though not enough shots to go around) but wait until the end of December to pass any judgements on Francis. I dont know how he will be after the surgery I am hoping he'll come back really strong because he was always one of my favorite rockets/players in the league. He may not make it back I am not going to write him off though without seeing what he can/cant do with my own eyes once the season starts.
Steve Francis stats next year coming off the bench could easily be 7-12 ppg with limited shots. His rebounding and assists could easily be a little below his average when he was in his prime. From what I saw of him this summer so far with his workouts... that's just my opinion.
I agree, if Steve gets back just a fraction of his athleticism and comes to camp in top shape, it could get real interesting. Francis was never a true point guard, but around the rim he was lights out. Great hops. I always thought he was a short power forward. I was one of his major critics during his first tour here, but I would love to see him do well. For him to make a huge comeback and actually get a ring, what a story!
If Steve can come to camp not overweight and just play himself slowly into game shape without re-injuring himself he should be a great backup. I don't think anyone really expect him to be an all star but he should be better then the average roll player ( I hope). I would like to think he will get better and better as the season goes along!
Great post man! That's why I gave him 16 mpg in the lineup in my signature! I agree with what you said 100%. I don't think it's impossible for him to divide time with Rafer in half, and begin to end the games because he is a bigger guard and more of scoring threat when healthy, but Im not gonna push it just yet.
Amen. A lot of us feel this same way. Stevie contributing to this team should/could be one of the top feel-good stories of the year when the Rockets take it all. Why so many "fans" seem to wish him ill is really sad.
It's called being realistic. no magic surgey is gonna bring he's atheletic ability bac. the fact is he got by he's raw natural ability. he was never a skillfull player. now that he's lost one true asset, he's pretty much on the scrap heap. thats just the way it is.
The injury isn't what made him look lost, unfocused and out of control when he did play. It wasn't like he was sticking jumpers, making great passes and doing all the intangibles but was just missing that explosiveness from the old days. He looked like a YMCA baller playing against the pros and it had little to do with not being able to dunk like he used to.
Yea I know right!! Tell that to Amare, Martin, and Hill!! They totally suck after their surgery. He has no skill, but was able to become a starting NBA pointguard, allstar, and avg 15/5/5. Scrap heap indeed, you are SMART! ("he's atheletic"....come on.
I remember that game well. My favorite sequence was near the end when Shane stuffed Marion on the inside and SF follows it up by blasting the ball out of Marion's hands and gets pumped up about it. I don't have my hopes up because we saw so little of this from him last season. But like they say, whatever happens, happens.
Francis had a few good games as a back up last year. He started out awesome even. But he also had a horrific stretch starting with the Philly blowout loss while Rafer was injured when he was starting for us where he looked like the worst PG in the league. Maybe that was due to injury, but if he was that injured he shouldn't have been playing then. It would be great if he made a full recovery and contributed, but at this point it seems more prudent to consider that a possible unexpected bonus rather than assuming it to be very likely.
Man I can't wait until the seaons starts to either eat cheese and say that you were right or to give you all the goat cheese you can eat!
