Please stop the insanity. First of all, I think that everyone knows your opinion about Francis and Mobley by now. Secondly, to imply that Jason Williams was ever the best player on any team kind of damages your credibility a little bit, don't you think, even more so when you are talking about a team that included Webber, Divac and Christie.
I would say francis is a physically exceptionally talanted player ... but you really consider him to be a mature person/player? ...
Andre Miller is the kind of player who can help bring a contender to the next level. Steve is the type of player who can make a non-contender a contender. Just look to two seasons ago, when Steve nearly led the Rockets to the playoffs. I can guarantee that no sportswriter or magazine had the Rockets winning that many games in the 2000-2001 season. To completely ignore that season when Steve and the rest of the team was (for the most part) actually healthy is very disturbing and irresponsible. Noone has even mentioned it yet. The Cavaliers record has gotten worse every season Andre Miller has been in the league. Steve, on the other hand had to go through an awkward rookie campaign where Charles Barkley got injured during the season and he won co-Rookie of the Year! Then, he came back the next year healthy and was feeling good, improved his stats in nearly every category, and led the Rockets to the best record ever for a team that did not make the playoffs. Then there's this season. The Rockets probably went through the most awkward season of their history, losing the franchise's all-time best player, losing several players to injury, our star player playing with throbbing migraine headaches, left with a completely young team with no veterans, being forced to put CBA talent on the floor. And we're going to use this season as proof that Steve can't improve a team? Y'all either have very short attention spans or you're lack of patience doesn't allow you to think things through. And as for some of you comparing eastern conference teams to western conference team you must be very slow if you haven't realized it by now. The eastern conference is a joke! The Rockets record against the east in the 2000-2001 season was 25-5. So, when you say Baron Davis is so good because he led the Hornets to the playoffs two years in a row, that does not impress me in the least. The Hornets would be sitting in the lottery with the Rockets if they were in the West. Stop kidding yourself by saying leading a team to the playoffs in the East is such a grand achievement.
DCKid, Now that is a good argument. I concur that Francis is a player that the team can be built around, while Miller is more of a complimentary piece. My whole point is that no one should be safe on this team and given Steve's condition with his shoulder and headaches, he might be more of a risk then Ming. Steve is a good player, but his decision making is not up to snuff, and Andre Miller's decision making is far superior. I said that I would not do that trade, if you read the whole thread my main point would have been getting Odom for Francis, not Miller, and I think that is a pretty fair deal. DaDakota
Francis may not have totally matured as a player yet. He's not the consumate floor general by any means, but few players are after only three years. Considering the myriad of injuries last year, I'll hardly hold last season against him. It's also important to remember that the coaching staff has encouraged him to shoot more, worried that he is too unselfish. As far as a Mature Person, what are you referring to? I think he's more than compensated for his draft day antics. He's been extremely dedicated in going to class getting his degree from Maryland, still working out on his game, and holding camps for the youth. I would consider all of that mature. He's mature enough to understand that participating in the Slam Dunk Contest and making himself more available for other all star events can only his stock, and improve his image. He's done more of that, than just about any of the other NBA players I can think of. The 2001 year in addition to the slam dunk contest, rookie/sophomore challenge, he also participated in some of their stay in school stuff as well, which meant very little sleep, and lots of duties at a time when most of the league was resting. But his maturity allowed him to realize that was part of the price of being an NBA star, and he was willing to pay it. Sure he still makes mistakes and he always will. I would love to have Jason Kidd on the team, but Kidd too makes mistakes, and obviously made them after his third season. I only bring up Kidd because he's probably the best PG in the league right now, and someone I hear people rave about a lot.
I guess there were more athletic Pgs, or ones with more potential than John Stockton back in the day. Anyway, I'm just worried that we sign Stevie for a long term contract and his mentals never catch up with his natural talents. Oh well....we'll see how the next couple of years turn out.
Troy Barros said something like that: Steve (& Mobley probably too) want to go, if we take Ming. I answer: OK. Will you trade Cat, Francis and Rice for Chicago's 2# (Jay Williams), Rose and Crawford? PS You can add some picks for Houson or Chicago to sweeten the deal. Isn't that future champions' line-up: Crawford, Williams, Rose, Griffin, Ming?
DaDakota---I don't think the Clips would even think of giving Jaric...they're letting go of McInnis and have high hopes for the Euro By the way Steve isn't overrated IMO, and the frontcourt defense also has something to do with "layup drills" Steve's here to stay I hope Cat has such a great value...look how much he gets paid and how he produces offensively...I know defense needs improvement
Steve Francis is not a ballhog. He's not the best ball distributor in the world, but I think he does an okay job with the kind of supporting cast we have. Cuttino Mobley is not a ball distributor either, but that's not exactly his job. Are you forgetting the conditions under which we suffered that 28-54 record? I think they can still improve. Again, with migranes, foot, and shoulder injuries, it is kind of hard to have a really good year. His migranes should not be that much of a concern, as it seems like they are calming down. I think Francis can run a team, he sure is focused towards that. I think you're overrating Miller's mental ability. He's good, but hasn't proved anything. He's a good passer, but his team is a jump shooting team. Therefore it is easier to rack up assists. You're overanalyzing that quote by Mobley. That does not imply what your saying. I don't mind the idea for trading Francis either. Just as long as we get fair value, and Odom is not fair value for him. The shoulder will heal up, and the migranes are looking better. Ming is a big risk - the Chinese government's restrictions and much aspects of his ability are unknown. How has Andre Miller proved he is a winner? I think he's no more than a role player, not a superstar/ Actually, that was discussed for a while. See, now that's a fair trade. Bottom line: Steve's going to be back.
Why does it seem like everytime a point guard has a strech of good games, a thread has to be started to trade Francis for him?
well people have a short memory, they see something they like and they have to have it. it doesn't matter if you don't need it or have something better at home. who would honestly trade steve for bibby. puhlease.
Look at the stats. Francis IS NOT a true PG. I doubt he will ever be. I would take a true PG who makes his team better any day over a ball hogging, no defense player. I would take Miller or a Bibby any day for Francis. Something has to change. Either they D up and play the game right or be gone.
I'm not saying that a Bibby for Francis trade would be too lopsided. People seem like they would trade Francis for any other starting point guard in the league, especially after they have a good strech of games. People tend not to look at that player when they do bad.
yes look at the stats- 20, 7, 6- not too shabby. why does something have to change, have we really struggled that long?learn some patience.
Would any of you on the boards make some sort of dramatic trade if we have another season without making the playoffs? Or at the very least...show no signs of improving our offense[] and defense []?
To the theader, Wow, that 2.6apg average will really make steves average look amatuer. Also, I would love to get a guy that can score 15+ppg in a weaker league. That's like 85+ppg in the NBA. This Marko guy sounds like he's two steve francis's in one body. Amazing! On a further note: Stop Posting you are an idiot and there is no way around it. Happy I've never met you, Andy
