SJC, Something to consider about Mobley adapting..... Cuttino will be 28 later this season and has been playing a certain way almost his entire career. A complete overhaul of his game at this stage is a lot to ask of him esp when his natural skill set is that of a scorer. Doug Christie and Brent Barry were always the types of players that could add value to a team by filling a role but simply could not find the right situation early on. Christie really didnt even start getting PT until he reached Toronto which was his 6th season iirc and began to blossom. His largest strides occurred when he found an excellent match for his skills in Sacto. Brent Barry started out in an awful situation with the Clippers and did not really find his niche until reaching Seattle. Cuttino has been in a very good organization and situation for more than 4 years now. There is no question his one on one skills have improved, but his reads and savvy havent. Cuttino's Ast to TO ratio has been on a downward trend since his rookie season where he had a 1.55. This season Mobley is at a 1.28. Couple that with Francis and Moochie's terrible Ast to TO ratios and you see why this team is inconsistent and will be stuck in mediocrity at best as long as this continues.
Steve Francis has recently stated that "when one guy shoots bad, everybody shoots bad". This is not a problem with technique but a sign of weak mental stability..... that missed shot must become an offensive rebound, otherwise it must be turned over asap. Steve and the rest of the Rox must shoot higher FG% regardless if some guy (or more) is missing it......
MManuel...agree completely about Barry. He's an excellent passer in half court and on the break. Decent one-on-one defender, but is quick in the lanes. Excellent 3-point shooter. What about a possible 3-way: Houston<LAC>Seattle Assuming Rockets are actively pursuing change as much as dysfunctional Clips and Sonics Seattle-LAC SEA get: Maggette/QRich/Miller/Kandi LAC get: Lewis/Payton/Anderson/#1 Picks Who cares what they actually agree on? With this many disgruntled players auditioning their seasons to a fat deal with another team next year, a deal could be reached, but I'm a Rockets fan, and I spend my time writing about my team. Let the LA/Sonics fans debate this on their time. Houston-Seattle We get: Barry and one overpaid backup C Sonics get: MoT/Cato Seattle is falling apart, Payton's playing for a new contract, Desmond Mason needs playing time at SG. Their lack of true big men and abundance of over paid stiffs is their real problem. Don't forget they tried to sign him when we did. Cato hurts to give up when he has FINALLY paid off, but with Ming and Brand, the low blocks won't be a problem, and the taking of one of the Sonics sevenfoot zombies would still be cheaper than Cato Houston-LAC We get: Elton, Karl Malone's unclaimed son Clippers get: Their choice of Cat or Griff, plus Cato or MoT Brand is the best at dropping anchor in the paint for offensive rebounds, blocks, and physical play. Basically, he's the equally young-polar opposite of Griff and MoT. Yao and Brand down low would be the perfect complements to eachother, solidifying our young team with another young leader to help one another. With Brand available either Griff or MoT is now available, and both are undoubtedly worth EB. Losing Cat really hurts, but with Barry in to help take ballhandling duties of Mobley, many more assists come from SG time in the offense. More Assists=Better Offense=Everyone's Happy=More Wins. Plays excellent zone defense, and by reducing burden on Steve, Franchise can focus his energy on scoring, while excellent passing of Barry and Yao maintain flow in the offense. Besides, let's not forget Brand is a former #1 overall pick in the draft, a Duke valedictorian who has solidified himself as a MAN inside among boys in the rockhard image of a young Karl Malone. These guys don't grow on trees, and they don't come cheap either. In the Western lands of Duncans, Shaqs, Garnetts, and Webbers, Brand will protect Yao's back and benefit from his passing. Now, I realize that due to some salary-cap figure, or some clause in a contract, this deal may likely be impossible to complete. I also understand that this type of megadeal is a huge change for a young, developing team still inconsistent, but not yet burdened by the limits of future potential. I also recognize other logistical problems like the Clips stingy owner, Brand's own willingness to sign a contract, and the team's (FRANCIS') adjustment to an offense centered around the post. These are no doubt huge risks. But Brand is a guy, like Yao and Francis, who is the rare complementary superstar, a guy who can dominate, but more importantly is a focused competitor who prides himself on winning and being a true professional. Oh well, at least that's the type of mutually beneficial trade the infinite wisdom of Sterling should allow
If we can't make a trade for Odom (or others), then we still benefit from bringing the ball up with another player. That's the simple adjustment. Cat brings it up. Down to Ming. Back to Steve. Steve Scores. Ming covered, straight to Steve. Poesey brings it up. Down to Ming. Etc. Get the ball out of Steve's hands, until he is ready to score, or is passing it up for a developing court-vision assist. Never, ever play Moochie. The answer is NOT Steve at the 2. The ANSWER is Steve at the 1, shooting. Let someone else feed SF, it's all good. Get him defensive help, too, of course. Another in-team adjustment that makes perfect sense - Cato at 4. Or TMo. ANYONE except MoT. Geez, that guy can't buy a board to save his dying grandmother. Not even with booster money. Our 4 needs to board and kick it out and bang and box and hit chippies from Yao and Steve. Our team isn't built for a scoring 4. I'd also get Hawk and Boki more minutes, and sit Glen Rice at the far end of the injured reserve bench with a clipboard. Asst. Coach, fine. Player, NO THANKS.
I've enjoyed reading all the basketball insight in this thread. We all have the highest hopes for this Rockets team, and the fact that we're having this discussion to figure out ways to improve as a team backs that up. But, I think the hardest thing for us to have as fans is patience. Yet, this is exactly what we need. Many of the points made are valid. Steve is not an ideal PG, Cat would be an ideal 6th man, and the offense should run through Yao. But before we talk about position moves and trades, I think it's important to think back and recall if we've seen THIS team capable of playing at the high level we expect. In fact, it's happened numerous times (Seattle, Portland, Sac-town, San Antonio), and when it has, it's been beautiful. The problem lies in that the Rockets "A" game is infrequent and inconsistent. This will not be fixed by moving Steve and bringing in another PG IMO. I think this team just needs some time to grow up and mature. Just like kids, as much as you preach and try to steer them in the right direction, too often they have to learn the hard way at their own pace through experience. You've all seen the flashes of brilliance. Steve can be a savvy PG when he sets his mind to it. Cat has shown improvement in his shot selection and passing. I too have longed for a more traditional type team many a time. But I'm starting to realize that having an untraditional team can play to our advantage. It's why other teams are scared to play us. We have a 7'6" mature, high-percentage rookie center. We have an unbelievably talented and athletic PG who is willing to carry the team on his back. We have a quick, left-handed SG who's also reeady to take a big shot. We have a long, developing jumping jack at PF who hads already shown the ability to hit the 3 and is now working on an inside game. These pieces are rare and downright scary when they click together. For that to happen, we need time and patience. This team seems to have some strong bonds off the court already (another reason why it would be difficult to trade Mobley. It's just a matter of time and maturity (which will come throughe experience) for this to translate into the type of championship basketball that we are longing for. Give them that chance.
Time to break it down........ Playing with Steve is like playig with a handicap. Let's trade him and the teaam will be better. Steve has hampered the Rockets for four years, let's cut our losses.
I love this trade. Stevie at the two, a real point guard, and a prototype power forward to go with Yao Ming and James Posey. Oh baby! Of course it would give the Clips about 4 shooting guards but who cares? Houston trades: PF Eddie Griffin (8.8 ppg, 6.1 rpg, 1.1 apg in 25.2 minutes) SG Cuttino Mobley (17.6 ppg, 4.2 rpg, 3.0 apg in 41.8 minutes) Houston receives: PF Elton Brand (18.4 ppg, 11.4 rpg, 2.3 apg in 40.4 minutes) PG Andre Miller (16.0 ppg, 3.9 rpg, 7.9 apg in 38.6 minutes) Change in team outlook: +8.0 ppg, +5.0 rpg, and +6.1 apg. L.A. Clippers trade: PF Elton Brand (18.4 ppg, 11.4 rpg, 2.3 apg in 40.4 minutes) PG Andre Miller (16.0 ppg, 3.9 rpg, 7.9 apg in 38.6 minutes) L.A. Clippers receive: PF Eddie Griffin (8.8 ppg, 6.1 rpg, 1.1 apg in 33 games) SG Cuttino Mobley (17.6 ppg, 4.2 rpg, 3.0 apg in 27 games) Change in team outlook: -8.0 ppg, -5.0 rpg, and -6.1 apg. TRADE ACCEPTED
Steve hasn't hit many game winners, but how many last second shots has he hit? I remember two against New Orleans, I hope you guys may remember something else.
I don't want Andre Miller. He has never lead a team to a winning season, even the overly talented Clippers, so what makes him a better option than Steve at the Point? I don't know why Francis rebounds so much, but how can you complain about that. Obviously you don't NEED your PG to rebound, but how do you tell a guy to just let the ball go? Hell, the reason Francis rebounds so well is becuase he is usually jumping higher than the people around him. I'm tired of all this talk about Francis caring more about stats or wanting to look flashy. How many times has Francis taken it to the hole for a dunk when not on a wide open fast break? Yeah, think about it, he hasn't exactly been a staple of Sports Center this year. Didn't he mention that, while talking about not participating in the dunk contest this year, that he doesn't look to dunk the ball as often as he used to? The guy is trying to adjust to something he's not used to. Anyways, people are always jumping to conclusions around here and it's beyond ridiculous. If I try to over simplify things, as many do, I would point out that the Rockets finally beat a team that they were supposed to in Denver. Funny how we did it with Yao sitting out. Obviously, what I just said it pretty stupid, but I thought it best illustrates what I see when people complain about Steve and Cat. This team loses as a team, everybody is responsible for the crappy play we have witnessed that last few weeks. I would like to see Yao get some of the blame from time to time because he doesn't seem to mind taking responsibility himself. Yao has shot pretty terrible in some of those bad losses, but nobody seems to mind. I don't know what changes or adjustments need to be made, but it's really something that has to be done by the entire team. There's no way people should shift responsibility on to the Rockets' whipping boys. I didn't bother to read this entire thread since I really need to get to bed, but I hope I didn't post something redundant, Lord knows I have little patience for those who post the same ole' BS.
Steve is very talented, he's just not a point guard and running the offense through Yao isn't going to change Steve's instincts to run a fast break or make the right pass. Even Kenny Smith could run a fast break and make an entry pass.
It's obvious you didnt read the entire thread. It's also obvious you didn't even read this page. Whatever. The problem with the Rockets is they do too many ISo's, take quick ill-advised shots, and do not move the ball around. Can we agree on this? Who do you think is responsible for that? Our center that looks to pass everytime he touches the ball? The reason Yao does not get blamed is because he is doing what everyone is not, which is always trying to pass. In fact, he's doing too much of it when he should be taking it strong to the hole. If our problem was rebounding and after 3 years in the league Yao was still averaging 8 rebs a game, then yes, he will get the blame. Steve Francis and Cuttino Mobley are not 30 game rookies. Yes, they're adjusting to the inside outside game but guess what, it would be a lot easier adjutment to make if during the past 3 years they weren't just passing the ball to each other.
As of today the top assists/game teams : Utah - 25.194 Sacramento - 24.421 Minnesota - 24.056 LA Lakers - 23.486 Indiana - 23.270 New Jersey - 22.946 Seattle - 22.417 Memphis - 22.417 Portland - 22.114 Dallas - 21.778 Rockets show up at 27th with 17.943. San Antonio is 26th with 17.943. The spread between the top 15 teams is about 4 assists per game.
This would make sense except for the fact Bibby doesn't run that offense. The Kings offense really has nothing to do with a prototypical PG role. imo, it runs better when the PG is not trying to "run the offense." Bibby generally just gets the ball up court then they start everything through the high post. Webber has nearly as many apg as Bibby, and Christie is not too far behind, and Divac has 4apg. Saying Bibby runs that motion offense is overstating his role, imo. Bibby is just another piece. They play a way where no one really has a prototypical position or role, except maybe for Peja, really.
Unbelievable. Steve Francis is defining the point for Houston. He is the franchise. Stevie is not nor must he be a five shot/game distributor. SF is with faults, but there is no question he is a young star and stud in the Association. The Cat is a good '2', upgradable for sure, but the only thing I would like to see different here is fewer minutes for Mobley. Mooch is 'the problem'. He is not providing the quality back up minutes to allow SF to play 12-18 minutes a game at the '2'. So, if and when Mooch can find his game, a game, or the Rox can find him another home and someone else (Tito or Damon Jones or unidentified) to fill that role, threads like this will continue endlessly blatherblatherblather. Praise Steve Francis!
what do we do? Well, there are plenty of struggling teams out there who would to take Francis and give us what we really need... a pass first point, a skilled small forward and a thuggish power forward.
Who says that Steve has to guard the 2 guard on other teams. If we could find a taller, "pass first" point guard type player, then he could perhaps guard the other team's two. just a thought
The b/u is, in fact, the problem when the best, most effective history has been moving Francis to the off guard for match up purposes, 'rest' without the responsibility of running the offense, etc. If the b/u doesn't deliver then this rotation (for 12-18 minutes/game) does not work. If Moochie was doing what he is being paid handsomely to do then this thread could have stayed unthreaded.
