I watched Francis get torched by opposing guards for four years. Maybe you missed it. Head is barely playing any minutes...of course he's not going to score many points or have the opportunity to show a whole lot. He is our ninth man and he takes scoring opportunities as they come to him in the flow of the offense. Additionally he is much more likely to make those open three's than Francis. This thread is accurately rated 1 star.
Unless they're dumb, most teams will be more worried about leaving last season's 4th best 3-point shooter open than they will a guy who...I don't know...I honestly don't even know what Steve's strengths are anymore. What is there to fear? His mediocre shooting, poor ballhandling, poor defending, low bball IQ, his turnovers? The only thing I can think of is his explosiveness, and that is nowhere near what it used to be. I can't imagine a team being scared of Steve for any reason at all.
Steve brings other needed intangibles to the court. He has heart and guts that Yao and McGrady have both failed to show in their stints as Rockets. If his game has really slipped to the point where he can't contribute, then Adelman should put him on the court so we can see. Until then, a lot of people are going to have a very hard time believing that a three-time all-star (several years removed or not) cannot contribute at least as much as Rafer Alston is. This "out of shape" argument is getting silly. Charles Barkley came into camp in shape maybe two or three times, but his heart and physical freakishness (two things Francis has as well) allowed him to contribute.
no offense intended, but comparing Francis to Barkley is laughable Adelman sees Francis in practice and has seen him play in the preseason as well. Perhaps he sees that Steve isn't a great fit at the moment. I like Steve, but I went to a preseason game where he played the entire 4th (or most of it) and he didn't look good. In fact, he even pulled his dribble, dribble, dribble, shoot/bad pass with 3 secs left routine a few times. I cannot stand Alston, but prehaps Adelman sees something that we don't with Steve. Still giggling about the Barkley comparison (sorry)
I'm not saying Francis is a Barkley-level talent, but it's an obvious comparison. I agree in giving Adelman the benefit of the doubt. He has an incredible record. I'm just saying that it's going to become increasingly harder for us to accept that Francis has fallen that far without being able to see it ourselves.
Head has very limited minutes, is contributing with assists, rebounds, and people know he's a 3pt threat. He also has very low turnovers. Right now, that's why we almost lost in LA, and did lose in Dallas last night. I'm not saying he should be in at the end (though he has proven to be clutch), but it's hard to make a case to bring Francis out in Head's place at this time. Perhaps later. Scola...yeah I dunno. I think he'll come around. I guess Rick Adelman doesn't want to go THAT small in the rotation. The minutes would have to come from Rafer and James. Minus last night, James's minutes are good, he was dropping around what...15 a game? Arguably, he could take some of Rafer's minutes, but he hasn't done so badly that it warrants bringing in Steve. *My* guess is that Steve would have to show something in practice to have RAdelman to give him a shot in some games. Who knows?
