Actually, it's not just the special, acrobatic plays that are so impressive. It's his overall efficiency. He is getting something positive out of virtually possession that he finishes: a foul, a bucket, a three pointer, a rebound. I don't know if he deserves to take Payton's or Kidd's crown just yet, but if his assist numbers were better, one could certainly make the case. Somebody with a VCR and some free time needs to break down the possession efficiency.
I'm suprised no one said that he only had 5 assists and took all the shots in the 4th. These are the same numbers he has been putting up all season. Winning cures all and if he keeps this up, he will win the MVP for sure.
Did he play after he fell down? I'm delighted with the win. Things are really starting to get better for us.
He's absolutely amazing. I can't believe how good Stvie is! He is still a few seasons away from his prime. He is playing at another level than everyone else on the court. It doesn't seem like anyone can stop him when he puts it into gear. All of this talk about spreading the ball around, and Stevie and Cuttino being ballhogs seems like bs to me right now. Cat only had 7 points tonight. Steve's game was off the hizzy. I just think Steve is guiding the team. He's taking charge until the rest of the team takes up the slack. Believe me, they will. When they realize how passionate Steve is to winning and becoming the best, it will rub off on the rest of the guys and the whole team will pop it into a higher gear. Props to Franchise this early season!
Amazing. If we can start getting off to a quicker start and restrict the opposition from jumping out on us in the 1st quarter we will be a very dangerous team. Go Rockets!
The first quarter was just aweful. We were passing the ball but played with little aggression. We didn't pick it up until the second half, but defense(everyone but especially hawkins) and Stevie won this game for us.
Shaq is the only player I would trade Francis for, and even then I would hesitate. Right now, Steve is the best player in the league. When Shaq comes back, that will change. But for now, I care not.
I didnt get to watch the game tonight. But I just read every post and there all positive. To bad I missed the game oh well.
Just to put a point on how amazing Franchise was in the second half and in particular in the 4th quarter. He was only shooting about 30% percent from the floor at half-time. He finished the game shooting 50% from the field! Portland should have let that sleeping dog lie because when the went after Steve he woke up and bit them right in their ass!
Hopefully Steve will start getting the treatment he deserves as a true "Franchise" player. This should quiet the critics who have wondered why we treat Stevie like one. Way to go Steve!
Are you crazy ?? Shaq has chronic foot problems and is at the end of his careear...he has already talked about retiring in a couple of years.. Steve is just starting and will only get better.
He's playing UNBELIEVABLE!!!! The scary thing is that he's getting better and better every game this year! He's stepping up and becoming more of our leader as the season goes along...You can kinda tell we are starting to gel as a team...Oh man this year will be so much fun to watch!!!
Just to get things straight, I have never hated Steve Francis, I have never said he wasnt a great player, because he is! I object to anyone who hates any member of our Team, but I do reserve the right to be critical of any player not performing his job as advertised. Steve Francis had a great game to-night!
Yeah I know, some people here label it as hating and its unfortunate...I think your complaints were legit for the most part...the good thing is that we are playing alot better as a team...
Yetti, how is this different than any other game Francis has played this year. Same number of shots, same percentage, same assists, and less rebounds. The only difference is that he did it in the fourth quarter when everyone else proved that they couldn't. Offensively, this game was probably worse that every game we played except for the first game and the third quarter of the Seattle game. The difference in this game was that the defense kept it close until Franchise decided to take over.
If you can't tell the difference, you must be blind..quit looking at stats... Even though the numbers are the same, compare the first several games versus the last couple. He's becoming more of a leader and trusting his teamates more. He alot more patient when it comes to scoring and picking the right time to take control of the game, this is a sign of a great player. And also his turnovers are WAY WAY down (He's playing alot smarter)
