How 'bout: Francis=Oil, Yao= vinegar Together they make a fine salad dressing, two strong ingredients that make a fine combination when mixed but are equally intriguing in the moments they are left to express their flavors independently. but seriously, against NO and the Clippers, when Yao struggled somewhat, it was immensely reassuring that Steve was there with the ability to take over a game himself. Every player has his flaws, but I believe Steve is working on them and is improving. And to this trade bit, who are we going (IN REALITY) to get in return for Steve in a one to one trade that will improve this team? Arroyo? (Seriously??!) Eric Snow? (Ditto) McGrady? (only if his back gives out) Hinrich? (I haven't seen this kid play, but isn't he a rookie for the worst team in the league?) Kidd? (dream on) Jason Terry? (like Steve but worse. His teams haven't done to well either) Jason Williams? (Would anyone have made the argument for JWill over Steve in ANY of the previous four seasons??! For 3/4 of one season Steve has struggled somewhat and JWill has played under control. I think everyone has seen the incredible mistake that judging a player by a season or less can be.) I could see the Cassell argument, but he's not young, and I think this is his peak. Plus he's playing with the MVP of the league, which has to help. Anyway, I'll not argue there are not several players in the league who are playing better than Steve right now, but the teams they are on are not going to give them up easily. Remember trading Hakeem for Danny Manning at one time seemed like a reasonable deal based on the results of the previous season.
The only reason we should trade Francis is if we can get a player or players in return that make the Rockets better as a team. No one with half a brain has advocated trading Francis for a box of peanuts. Further, we traded Dream, who lead us to 2 championships, we can darned sure trade an immensly talented PG who has given us lots of highlights and lots of heart, but who also has not a lot of disciplined leadership. If there isn't a trade with Francis that makes us better, than don't trade him, but don't put out this garbage like we should put loyalty to him ahead of progress over the future of the team if their a better fitting pieces to be had for trading him. What I don't get from Rocket River and many other is the consideration that maybe say Elton Brand and Jaric around Yao for say Francis and Cato might make a better overall Rocket team. What abouty Kobe for Francis if the Lakers feel they have no choice. Thus the question is not whether Francis should be traded, but what would you trade him for or what would you not trade him for. Finally the Barkley trade was the right trade at the right time. Dream had started going downhill and it gave us enough firepower to go after a ring for an extra couple years we otherwise wouldn't have had. Horry and Cassell were never going to lead us anywhere, which is why everywhere they have been successful it has been as role player (and they both have been moved around a lot for a reason). The main problem with those years is the lunacy of not picking up a vet like Porter or Harper to run the point--but that is another story.
In recent games, Yao was No. 1 option. SF would like to give the ball to Yao, so do the other players. However, TOs prevent Yao from getting more touch, especially facing quick small hacker. Yao and his teammates must develop the skill of passing during transition. There is always a passing window in and after pick-and-roll, which lasts for half to one second. Rockets seldom utilize it because it's prone to TO according to their current skills.
I agree that Steve is a great guy to root for. He seems to be a good person, and it’s a lot easier to root for him than someone like Rasheed. However, having Steve here is like trying to fit a square peg in a round hole. Even though he is playing better lately, Steve just does not fit in the JVG system. He also is not a good compliment to Yao. Steve would be so much better playing for a team in the east. Certain players just do not fit well in other systems. For instance, I could not see Larry Bird playing for the 80’s Lakers. Hall of Fame player and a Hall of Fame team but not a good match. Trading Steve could be the best thing to happen for both the Rockets and Steve Francis
Very interesting points, mbiker. All that being said, I wonder what Steve would really prefer. It seems to me that he's working really hard to highlight all the aspects of his game that strengthen the Rockets (hustle on defense, rebounding, mid range jumpshot, penetrate and dish). I think he's sincere when he vocalizes his desire is more about winning now rather than his perceived style and game. It's evident to me by his evolution on the court. The way we've been playing together as a team lately, I believe opponents don't view Steve as just a servicable guard or as an imperfect fit for the Rox. He strikes fear and commands respect from teams league wide every night that he steps on the floor ... Just like Yao, and to a certain degree Cat. And this fear and respect is multiplied with our guys being on the floor together. All star quality ballers who've had a little time to play together and play better and better every game together (headlined by Yao's dominance) ... That's a scary scenario for every team in the league. I guess all this talk doesn't really matter though in the long run. I think we'll just all have to watch and see. I just think if the Rox continue to win, it won't be "in spite" of Steve or "in spite" of an imperfect fit, but in part because of his redefining role within this team.
