Does anybody else think that Hakeems comments may have a negative effect on a already offfensively timid Francis? The timing of Hakeem's recent comments is horrible. Francis has just begun to unbuckle his belt the past few games. Will the great wisdom of Hakeem find his ears? Lets hope not. We have a point guard in Steve Francis who takes only 13 shots from the floor a game while shooting a phenomonal 48% from the field. Hakeem, you may of just humbled Francis down to 10 shots. The Rockets are 5-1 when Francis takes 16 shots or more The Rockets are 0-3 when Francis takes less than 10 shots. The Rockets are 8-4 when Francis shoots above his timid average of 13 shots a game. The Rockets are 2-4 when Francis shoots below his average 13 shots a game. Hakeem in his second year campaign took 18 shots a game. Hakeem, do not try to convert an already meek Francis. ------------------ Hakeem does not need the darn ball more -Rocketbooster
Agreed 110%. Now if there was someway that Rudy T could show Olajuwon this. I wonder what the Rocks' record is when Olajuwon shoots above/below his average shots per game? ------------------ Check out my homepage! Loads of sports pics! http://www.public.asu.edu/~sykim/
Didn't seem to affect Francis against the Mavs. ------------------ When we tire of well-worn ways, we seek for new. This restless craving in the souls of men spurs them to climb, and to seek the mountain view. -- Ella Wheeler Wilcox
Exactly Bobfinn, Steve needs to keep up this steady offensive agressiveness while using the Chronicle for toilet paper. ------------------ Hakeem does not need the darn ball more -Rocketbooster [This message has been edited by ROCKETBOOSTER (edited December 07, 2000).]
Good stats Rocketbooster. Outstanding post! Your forray into stats inspired me to do the same and here's what I found and it is interesting. The win over the Lakers on November 7 seems to be the real beginning to the season. Since then, including that game, the Rockets have gone 9 and 5. In the first 4 games, the Rockets went 1 and 3. In all 3 losses, Francis took more than his average of 13 shots per game. In the one win, he took fewer (10). The Lakers game COMPLETELY turned that around and the trend has continued ever since. Since that win on November 7, Francis has taken more than 13 shots in ONLY ONE ROCKETS LOSS - that game was recently against Portland (15). In every other loss, Francis took fewer than 13 shots. By the same token, Francis took fewer than 13 shots ONLY ONE ROCKETS WIN since that Lakers game - against Miami (10). Here's the even crazier part: Olajuwon took roughly half the number of shots as Francis in Rockets wins since November 7. In losses, they take about the same. but in really ugly losses (like the Celtics or Trailblazers), Hakeem doubles the number of shots taken by Francis. To make the matter even more interesting, in wins since November 7, Francis is shooting 49% - very respectable. However, in losses, he is shooting 52%. Taking fewer shots tends to boost your average and Francis isn't immune to that fact. In addition, in wins, he is averaging over 6 assists per game while only 3 per game in losses. Because he handles the ball more, he averages 1 more turnover per game in wins. The moral of the story: Francis probably should be taking 16 to 18 shots per game and Hakeem should average about 9 or 10 for the Rockets to continue to be successful. When Francis handles the ball and takes shots, the Rockets win. The team thrives on his energy and the stats bear that out. His percentage might suffer a bit and he might throw the ball away a little more, but, to win, the Rockets need the ball in his hands as often as possible. Not only will he score, but he will create for his teammates AND, maybe most importantly, he'll learn how to play the game, bring his shooting percentage up and turn the ball over less. Thanks for the inspiration there Rocketbooster! ------------------ Mmmmmmm. Sacrelicious.
I wouldn't call Francis offensively timid,Kobe maybe,yeah that's it Kobe's offensively timid ------------------ Mitch Meluskey...The real Slim Shady
Thanx, Jeff! It'll be interesting as the season goes along to keep a tab on Francis attempts in wins and losses. One more note. it's interesting that Francis hasn't broke the 20 fg attempt plateau yet this year, considering how much of a marksmen he's been this year. While over in Goldenstate Jamison has stepped over the 20 fg attempt plateau 11 times already; Finley 7 times; Marbury 8 times; Payton 11 times; Iverson 12 times; even Cliff Robinson 4times, i stop researching by then, but it's an interesting stat. The 20 fg attempt plateau is broken frequently by dominating scoreres. Now, when Francis is hot i'd like to see him break that plateau. Of course within the team concept. I could not find last years stats but has Steve Francis ever broken the 20fg plateau? ------------------ Francis, use the Chronicle for toilet paper from now on-Rocketbooster
I don't know if he has ever gone over 20 FG attempts in a game. The difference, I think, with Jamison and others is that Francis has more of a supporting offensive cast. Last year he had Barkley and Olajuwon. This year he has Mobley, Olajuwon and, to a lesser extent, Taylor. Additionally, being a point guard sees him distributing the ball more often than a guy like Jamison. One thing is for sure this year, though. The more he shoots, the better the team plays. ------------------ Mmmmmmm. Sacrelicious.
Ok, just found out that Francis shot 25 times against Denver last season. ------------------ Mmmmmmm. Sacrelicious.
I'm assuming then thats the only time he's broken it in his career. It'll be nice to see him break that barrier a couple of times this season in victorys, though. ------------------ Francis, use the Chronicle for toilet paper from now on-Rocketbooster
