This is nota thread of dishing out blame but one of fair discussion (hopefully). Every now and then we hear stories of bravery but pro athletes and how the defy physical and emotion pain to perform at the highest. We saw Joe J of the Tampa Buccs overcome emotional stress to deliever for his team in the NFC championship game and the SB. We saw Steve Francis defy pain in our win over the Celtics. Our beloved Rockets have been on the receiving end too within the last 10 days in the hands of Kobe and MJ (52 and 35 points respectively). With that said, I am now fully convinced that Stevie is fully healthy. He has a big heart and we all know he wants to be "out there" with his team mates in this stretch run. But he is really hurting - he knows it, we know it. He is not Kobe or Mike (yet) but he is trying hard to carry his team like those 2 greats. I have been a Steve Critic but I commend his heart but when does the coach step in and tell Francis to take some time off to heal COMPLETELY? Where do we draw the line between bravery and detriment to your team? I understand his injury requires him to continously try to loosen his back up by "keeping busy" but does he have to do it at the team's expense? Steve does not miss 3 open 3-pointers in 4 tries - he does not miss dunks with a clear path to the bucket ever. Should the coach give him time to rest by asking him to sit? Can he heal well enough become a factor when we will really need him down the stretch? What do you think?
I don't want to start a new thread, so I'll just insert my opinion here. The Rockets take too many three point shots early in the game. Like when the Washington Wizards got a seven point lead early in the first quarter. Steve Francis took a couple of shots. The Rockets should be more economical in their shots. They should try yes, but not just throwing or heaving the ball. Why don't they concentrate on perfecting 15ft or 17ft mid-range jumpers first? Sometimes, they just shoot themselves out of the game early by taking these ill-advised shots.
Yet? Both you and he need to realize that he's NOT Jordon or Kobe and NEVER will be. He can't carry his team to victory alone game in game out like those 2. He simply needs to get smarter, understand his own limitations and play up to his own ability. He needs to trust and depend on his teammates every game hurting or not. Smart players do things they can do and don't do things they can't do. That's why you don't see Stockton try to dunk or try to take over every game.
