sorry guys if im beating a dead horse. but in the midst of report cards, blaming francis, and being unhappy with our teams performance. i just think that before this season felt that he was on top of the world, he was known for leading the team in every category and was claimed the franchise before ever taking his first shot. the point im trying to make is with his horrific shooting and free throw percentage and zone defenses steve francis has been humbled. lets face it, if steve shot 50% this season he'd never trust his teamates as he does now. on any given night jim jackson, cutino, or yao can be the go to guy. without a season of adversity steve wouldnt be hugging yao in this picture ive been realizing more and more that even though we are hanging on 7th place, the transition our players have made, and the bond that each of these guys have developed will pay off well beyond this season. when mo taylor is suspended twice for drugs and the players welcome him back as if he we never gone, when francis lets amare know that "this is our team, you mess with of us, you mess with all of us", when they 2 seconds left and francis penetrates and dishes to yao for the driving layup. ive never been more excited about our team. steves shooting percentage will come around. but hasnt this season been completely worth it? sure cursing on live television, and drawings fines shows our immaturity. but as the twolves, lakers, and kings are aging beyond their 30's, i know that this young group of 20 something year olds (minus oak, and pike) are here to stay.
I like your optimism...Keep having Steve's back. There are many people here that love Stevie and what he brings to our beloved rockets. But of course there are many people here that do not want him in rox uni any longer. I got his back. I like this squad. Get that man into the playoffs.
my point here is that when looking at the nuggets, celtics, cavs, suns, and any other up and coming teams. we are well on our way and past rebuilding. honestly i dont think we have any missing pieces other than a good back up point guard for when mark jackson retires, and a mean back up power forward to play some dirty work. weve got a young explosive point guard, and the best center in the league in my opinion in terms of skill, professionalism, and work ethic. these are the two most difficult positions to dominate in, and weve accomplished that.
Remember when you built puzzles as a kid wasn't easier to find all the straight edges and corners and then work your way into the middle. We have corners right now in Yao and Steve. now we slowly put the pieces in the middle until the fit with the corners and when we are complete we can go for the championship.
No problem! You can try to spin it any way you want, but the sad truth is that this curren team is nothing more than a 43-47 win first round fodder team for the rest of eternity. The Rockets are the T-Wolves of the next decade, but unlike the T-Wolves, the solution isn't to just add new role players. Even though they're not exactly old, Francis and Mobley have each pretty much peaked at what each other does. It's OK with Mobley, because he's accepted his role as a support player. It's not OK with Francis, because his position is the most important on the floor in terms of running the offense. You're living in a dream world if you think this team as it stands will contend for anything. They've had plenty of time to gel and get used to the system and all that other crap and still haven't improved much. This team needs to be overhauled. You may be satisified with mediocrity, but most fans aren't...
Well, the Twolves right now are 2nd in their conference, so that's not necessarily a bad thing. Anyway, you can't honestly believe this team won't be even better next year. With an even MORE dominant Yao in the middle, the future of this franchise is limitless. When we have just a LITTLE playoff experience, I doubt many around the league won't consider us not just a playoff contender but a champion contender. Duncan had Robinson's experience to help bring him along. Yao is getting trial by fire. But one way or another, he's molding into a damn fine scarey force to be reconned with in this league.
First time I'm a YOF, then I'm a ROF. I will feel weird if rockets no SF, Cat, Cato, MO and Yao, When I see Gary Peton and Karl in Lakers I just feel this is not lakers. So pls keep SF and our lineup, they will make it I belive. Maybe add some guys but pls never ever trade the core threes. Go Rox, I love this Rox, Happy or frustrated they jsut still our Rox
First time I'm a YOF, then I'm a ROF. I will feel weird if rockets no SF, Cat, Cato, MO and Yao, When I see Gary Peton and Karl in Lakers I just feel this is not lakers. So pls keep SF and our lineup, they will make it I belive. Maybe add some guys but pls never ever trade the core threes. Go Rox, I love this Rox, Happy or frustrated they jsut still our Rox
The problem is that Steve is a corner piece to a different (and not nearly as good) puzzle. When we find the team that has that puzzle, and our missing piece(s) then our championship picture will be complete.
I think Steve can be with maturity but we are running out of time for him. It's kind of a hard call cause everyone sees different corner pieces to this franchise.
from Toast: Toast, I beleive A-Train's point is that the T-Wolves have the right pieces and will have success opposed to being perennial 1st round fodder. I have to agree with A-Train here (amazing ), but his post doesn't really sound any different that Clutch's have lately and though it's still a minority opinion here I've come to accept it. And retooling the team has to begin with SF. Where we go from there will depend what we get in that deal. Then players I don't want to leave will have to be offered to adjust the roster. SF is a star, I love the guy, but I don't see him as any part of the puzzle now. That's painful, enough but we're not likely to get a really good point guard for SF - in fact I think CD and JVG have to go for the best player we're offered period. So then even guys like MoT and JJ (argh) who have really done very well have to be offered up. But I think it's required to improve the play on the court. SF has adjusted his game, he's tried, but I'm just tired of the ugliness, foolishness and the fact we can't run a fast break. I wasn't going to post in this thread, but A-Trains cynical wit always amuses me and I think he's gotten too kicked around for his incorrect assertion we won't make the playoffs. But his arguments always merit consideration. But keep your optimism, guys, It never hurts. But I think I'll be wincing a lot this off-season and unfortunately I do think it's necessary.
The Team is knocking on the door of the NBA's elite - and you call that mediocrity? The team has gelled. It's so much better then it was in November.
A-Train you know I really like you, and even though you're quite negative about the team, you really don't bash certain players and I can appreciate that. But, you already have your foot halfway in your mouth about them not making the playoffs so don't come in here now and say well they might make it but they won't go far. You are already wrong and that's that.
