I'm weary of players who are accustomed to taking 25+ shots a game. He'd be an exciting player to have, but I'm not sure if he's the type of player who'll fit well in Van Gundy's system. I'd imagine that everybody would go for trading Stevie for TMac though.
I have a Solution. Trade Steve for little Nicko straight up. It would work for the salary cap and everything. Do you think Van Chancler would bite???
Steve's shooting all year has been off, but other aspects of his game have improved. Lately though he's been in a real slump. I think it's 2 or 3 games and counting at this point. As other people have said I think it's a combination of confidence, retooling his game, learning to shoot off of the pass and not the dribble, and whatever else. I don't think it's panic time or anything, and Steve has always been the kind of hard worker to work through any problems he's had. I think he'll work extra hard to find ways to be more of a help to the team. It may be him taking extra practice, long talks with JVG about what to do differently etc. But it is something that he can probably work through, and the team will most likely be better as result.
Tmac takes that many shots because he has to with that team. You swap Tmac and SF, SF will be taking 25+ shots a game on that Tragic team. With Yao in the middle, and a pure shooter like Tmac, defense will have headache every night. Plus, I think Tmac has better penetration game than SF, and fares better on fastbreaks.
I'm against the idea of playing Steve and Yao separately. If we are to build this team around Yao and Steve, they have to play together. They have to find a way to play together. If that doesn't happen, this project has failed and one of them needs to go. And IMO we are far from saying that. Steve is struggling with his game, but he's actually starting to play a more controlled style of basketball. He has cut down on his dribbling and has moved the ball better. Sure he still makes bonehead plays and turn the ball over fairly often, but he's improving. His shots have been off because he's still adjusting to this new style of basketball. I'm actually really encouraged by the fact that he has bought into JVG's system and is trying his best to change his game. I really like the fact that we brought in Jackson because he can be a great mentor to Steve, just like Ewing is to Yao. If Stephon Marbury can actually learn to become a real point guard, I don't see why Steve Francis can't do the same.
Yeah I have noticed this too. All too often, he crosses his man and blows by him, only to stop and cross the ball back towards the defender. Its like he is trying to go for the spectacular "break the ankles" play, when he can often have an uncontested jumper or a lane to the basket. And if he drives to the basket with some semblance of control, the majority of the time, he will draw a foul. I think he just needs to stop trying to make ESPN play of the night, and he'll be alright.
Actually Steve seems to work best with Cato while Yao and MJax works good. I think Steve and Yao should start but Subbing Yao out so he can rest Just some tweaking the lineups Rocket River
They should start Cato at the 5 and MoT at the 4. Have Yao and MJ come off the bench. If that doesn't work trade them for some 4';s and 5's that work well with SF.... Maybe bring in a coach that has connections with an Eastern Conference loser to bring in some spent old guys, you know, someone who can claim to be great for quitting on his last team.
Steve is suffering from Dan Langhi-itis... Dan never could adjust to playing without the ball and Steve is going through the same growing pains. Right now, Steve is playing horrible. He can't shoot, he has a hard time passing, and he turns it over A LOT !! Steve needs to get his act together, or we should trade him to a team that likes to play one on one ball.... DD
Steve's definitely slumping, but let's not do anything drastic like only play Steve when Yao's not on the floor, and vice versa. Shaq & Kobe have their problems, but you don't see people suggesting the Lakers bench Kobe for Devan George just because Shaq's in the game.
then you can come over to my mansion, lounge in my olympic-size pool, sip margaritas and watch donkeys fly.
I think he is used to having the ball constantly in his hands during his college days and the 1st 4 years. It's like telling a crack addict to stop cold Turkey.
SF + Cato for TMac Cat + Mo for A. Miller (or Rasheed) The new Rockets lineup will feature: Yao Padgett JJ TMac Miller Both TMac and Rasheed have expressed their desire to play with Yao so the trades are possible. Yao + Tmac + Miller will be the best trio in the league. Throw in JVG's D and you have a winner.
yeah right, we will have only one big man who can play 35 minutes at most. the 4 position will be non-existant.
With Yao, Tmac and Miller running the show, you don't need a great 4 anyway. We can pick up some cheapies in the off season. All you really need from 3 and 4 are tough Ds and occasionaly jump shots. Yao and TMac will both average 20-25 shots a game, and Miller will get 10-12. The rest of team will get 20-25.
I like Steve on this team Though guys like T-mac and A miller would look really good on this team too. But I think the solution to SF problem is PATIENCE. Impatience is usally the product of trying to force something to happen, over the last few games, though Steve sucks, but he looks more patient than I have ever seen him, even though I am sure in his heart he's really frustrated. Hopefully, steve will give it times and let it comes naturally. The real problem in steve game is how he tries to force everything to happen. So, I hope the fans will be patient too.
In today's NBA when double and triple teams are allowed before the big men catch the ball, the best way to solve the DT is to surround them with pure shooters. Yao and TMac will work wonders together and the opponents cannot DT anyone because the other will punish you the whole night. Throw in Miller who can get the job done distributing the rocks and be a threat himself from outside, you dn't really need any significant offensive contributions from the foward positions. I love Cat and SF, but Cat is a streaky shooter, and SF can do nothing without the balls, let alone that he totally lost his shooting touch.
