I think Francis needs to do a couple of things to improve even more. First of all he needs to stop hesitating on those wide open threes. The plays are designed for someone to get open up top. And everytime Fracis gets open he hesitates. Then he elects to drive it into the traffic. If he can hit the three pointer consistently he would be even more unstoppable. And this year I think Fracis has played above average one on one defense. But everytime an opposing team runs a pick and roll Francis elects to go below the pick. Instead sometimes he needs to fight through the top of the pick. This is why players like Terrell and Cassell are always killing us. But Francis has been playing amazing help defense. Also I wish Francis would just be a little more aggresive on the offensive end. But that might be me just getting greedy ------------------
You gotta be kidding me? Francis had 19 pts. The Rockets have beaten the World Champion Lakers and a decent Grizzlies team. I think Francis has taken it upon himself to get EVERYONE involve...something a good POINT guard is supposed to do. There will be games when he will go off and explode for those ESPN highlights we all love. Let's just enjoy the winning while it lasts. Old School ------------------ I voted YES!
What he really needs to do is review game tape of the pick and rolls that he runs, because they are pretty poor. How many times do we have to see the guy setting the pick sliding to the basket but not getting the ball because Steve is trying dribble through two guys? This should be something that he could pick up easily yet I see the same things from last season. ------------------
Man, poor Steve can't do anything right. Ship him to Vancouver for Stromile Swift and a bag of peanuts. What kind of game did he have ? 19 points ? 8 assists ? 6 rebounds ? Steve did commit alot more TO's then him though. ------------------ "I know how hard it is to put food on your family." George W. Bush
I think its only the first two weeks of the season and some people need to relax a little. Steve will be fine. ------------------ Doink! [This message has been edited by Supermac34 (edited November 10, 2000).]
I have to disagree,I think Steve is coming more of a team player and a floor leader.His assists and rebounds have improved and he seems more comfortable running the offense.I think were starting to see a more "complete package" and I for one am very excited to see him get his teammates involved in the flow of the game. ------------------
Steve has become more of a team player the last two games. I was most critical of him the first 4 games because I saw him trying to do too much on his own. I still think ROckets03 has a point though. Steve needs to fight over the pick. The last two games he's gotten away going under the pick, but in this league, that won't last long. Also, the way the league is cracking down on offensive fouls, I think he'll get his fair share of calls if he fights over the pick. ------------------ Only in America....do we use the word 'politics' to describe the process so well: 'Poli' in Latin meaning 'many' and 'tics' meaning 'bloodsucking creatures'.
Amazing! Why can't Steve Francis just be perfect so we can be happy fans???? UGH, you guys are ridiculous. Steve has played well this season outside of some very minor mistakes. Bring back Matt Maloney, Brent Price and Bryce Drew. At least I won't have to hear as much b****ing around here. ------------------ There is a very fine line between "hobby" and "mental illness."
If he can hit the three pointer consistently he would be even more unstoppable. Stevie is shooting 50% from behind the arc. What more do you want? ------------------
Kleenex! ------------------ There is a very fine line between "hobby" and "mental illness." [This message has been edited by HOOP-T (edited November 10, 2000).]
LOL... I'm with ya' Hoop-T. But don't just stop with the Kleenex, I think we're going to need some baby wipes as well. ------------------
"A decent Grizzlies team" , Now that just makes my bones chill . ------------------ Would you like to join the signature of the month club?
Hey you guys I never said Francis wasn't getting better. The Rockets have been amazing the last two games, mostly because of Francis. I was only pointing out two minor things that I think Francis should improve at. Aelliot I know Francis has been amazing from the three point line, thats why I want him to stop hesitating. On a fast break and sometimes on set plays Franics would be wide open at the 3-pt line and just wont shoot. That breaks down the play and messes everything up. As for defense, like I said Francis has improved from last year. But he just needs to realize that once in a while he needs to fight through the top of the pick. Why do you think Stockton, etc..have a field day against the Rockets. Old School, the by my last statement indicated that I wasnt serious about it. Hoop-T I agree with you that Francis has been amazing this year except for a few minor mistakes. You will have to excuse me if I elect to point out those few minor mistakes. But these mistakes wont be that minor when its a game winning situation and Francis decides to fight below the pick and give someone like Stockton a wide open jump shot. ------------------
Alright, I love a challenge. You can't just say Francis is flawless. That is a bunch of Clutch (the bear) pooh. Francis is not running Rudy's offense correctly, yet. Right now, Francis is just a scorer, who draws so many double teams, the 6+ apg just fall into his lap. He is far from running an offense. I have more patience than DaDakota, but he is right. If you think he is running the offense as designed, then no wonder there are so many Rudy bashers. Because the offense Francis runs is not that good if it is designed to do that. Again, I can't resist re-posting Rudy's quote from last night, which was miserable 1st half execution. Francis, you must trust the option to work, and give it you best shot. Francis is using his athleticism as a crutch. Run the damn offense Stevie, then Rudy's system will completely surface for all to see. <font size="1"><font color="> [This message has been edited by heypartner (edited November 10, 2000).] [This message has been edited by heypartner (edited November 10, 2000).]
I definitely agree with the point about fighting through the top of the pick. i think Francis is so quick, he often thinks he can recover from going below it. He does from time to time, but it is a big gamble if a shooter is out there. This also has a lot to do with who is setting the pick. In some instances, going below will work to Francis' advantage. There is also the factor of the other defensive man stepping out to help Francis or switching on the pick. This can creat mismatches, but again, who is the shooter? ------------------ There is a very fine line between "hobby" and "mental illness."
I do agree that the offense is not hitting on all cylinders. I am not sure what to attribute that to right now. I also agree that Steve is not flawless. The offense does seem to stagnate at times and stall, leaving a hurried shot with few seconds remaining on the shot clock. But to the contrary, I have seen instnace of a very efficient running offense as well. I think the chemistry is not there yet, and I think Hakeem needs some touches when the offensive set is stalling or at a standstill. Bail out techniques if you will. ------------------ There is a very fine line between "hobby" and "mental illness."
Dream cause the stagnation a lot by being uncomfortable in the high post. Collier and Thomas are much more comfortable in that role. No wonder we play them together with Bullard. Those three are the best on the team at running motion. If the offense stagnates when those three are in, then it is the PG's fault, because those three know how to set picks, pass crisply and hit open shots....that is no exaggeration. Bullard and Thomas are the best! Tape a game and watch them!
There were 2 or 3 times last night when Steve was all alone at the 3pt line and I threw my hands up in anticipation of a shot going up only to see him hesitate and dribble out. He's shooting great and I'd like him to take the shot, but let's not forget he's a 2nd year player in charge of running an NBA offense. The man has a lot on his mind, and a long way to go in his career. He has to think about clock management at the end among other things. I'm happy to see where he's at, and look forward to see where he's going. ------------------ "We end up with Francis/Mobley isolations very often. More often, I'd say, then other teams." -- jamcracker
To say that Steve has minor flaws in his game is glossing things over. At this point, he has some major flaws at the point. If it weren't for his athleticism, he would ride the pine if he could even make a team in the NBA at the point. His offensive rebounds are a tremendous plus. His shot seems to be better at crunch time. However, as a point, he makes poor decisions. The good news is he is a baby at the point, meaning he will get better. MUCH better. Way more better that Dickerson will improve at shooting guard. Right now, he is more than making up for his deficiencies at the point. They are not minor. When he improves his point guard skills, he will be tremendous. Okay, bring on the flames. ------------------
