I am certainly no Addelman expert, but what I read on this board is that his style emphasized players with a high basketball IQ and the ability to move the ball easily. That just doesn't sound like SF to me. And that assumes that Francis can still do what he used to do before being essentially cut by two teams in a row. I hope Stevie turns out to be the finals MVP, but realistically I am not optimistic.
Adelman was on board with bringing him, so he must have had Steve in mind for his offense. Sure, Steve has flaws in his game.....but, it doesn't mean he's pure crap and can't help the team. That's going way too extreme. Steve's a talented ball player with freakish explosive athleticism. In his prime, he could average 21 points, 7 rebounds and 6.5 assists. We're focusing so much on what he can't do....but here's what he can do: He can attack the rim at will...he's one of the better finishers on the team around the rim. He's one of our best rebounding guards. He can create his own shot and he defiinitely can put up points for you when he need him to. Francis and James are not alike. That's too broad of a generalization. They actually have different attributes to their game. You can't just lump scoring guards into one general. Steve is a way better finisher around the basket than the other two point guards and definitely a stronger rebounder. Morey said that Steve was one of the best at getting to the rim and that's why he could really help the team.....that's a trait that we can definitely have on the team...and certainly something would have come in handy in last year's playoffs.
What I don't get is arranging it so everyone is happy. Not that everyone is saying this, but its sort of how its happening defacto when you try to get everyone their playing time. You don't arrange it so everyone is happy, you arrange it so that the best players play and we win. There will be some bullet biting, esp at PG, and thats okay, it comes with depth. Francis will play, but not guaranteed more than 15 per game. could get close to 30 on a good night. I see us playing a bigger 2 for defense and rebounding and therefore our three headed monster IMO will be splitting time at the 1. They keep each other fresh, and develop a positive attitude about it. Obviously there will be some variation, but I suspect it will play out as follows: 1. Alston starts, being the best neutral distributor. 2. Francis gets a solid chunk in the middle of the game. Scoring punch, athleticism, keeps the intensity going, no drop off - i.e to the point of this thread, Francis gets his playing time, but often not 20 min. 3. James finishes - generally, because he has a handle, can distribute, can make good decisions, and is big enough not to get abused on D when it counts- nice balance between Rafer and SF. Again, IMO Tmac and Bonzi don't get stuck at the 3 just so our glut at the 1 can all get playing time and be happy campers. We can play TMAc and Bonzi at the 2 b/c TMac and Bonzi create wild advantages for us when they play the 2, so they will play the 2 - especially when it counts. If anyone drops in on the 2 it will be Luther. Luther will drop in to play spots with SF and James. The rest is easy IMO... Shane and Tmac at the 3. Scola and HAyes at the 4, either sliding to the 5 occasionally Yao and Deke 5. Deep in the guards we are this year. I'm not against small ball, but I hope when it counts we put some size in there. Alston/ James/ Francis/ Brooks/ JLIII TMac/ Bonzi/ Head/ Snyder Shane/TMac/ Harris/ Reed Scola/Hayes/Novak Yao/Deke/ Butler And the issue isn't going to be who plays, everyone will get some court time here and there in the season, the question is who plays in the playoffs, and that will be decided by a computer - Morey's computer. So for the reg season the bold players get their time, if only to create data to analyze so that we have "the right" combos come playoff time... and i think those combos will be somewhat unexpected. the final combos will be based on computation not on favoritism IMO. Thats why RA and Morey aren't freaking out about the log jam - it just makes for a better computation. And make no mistake about it SF is a part of that computation. How it plays out is anybody's guess.
For a 6th man we've got 4 - and they are all guards, all with scoring punch. They will have to take turns, thats all. And SF is in that boat. Hayes and Deke are our big man meat and potato subs.
Francis's role is to dribble the ball off rofflesaurus's head until he sees stars and realizes that hey, the dude isn't that bad. I can just see it now. Francis sucks! ping! Francis sucks! ping! Francis sucks! ping..umm ok Francis isn't very good! ping! Ok ok ok...Francis is good!! Attaboy rofflesaurs, we knew you'd come around sooner or later ROFL.
I think the thread title here is perfect Francis will get pt if he fits and if he can't find a way to fit he won't. Nobody doubts Stevie's tallents but to this point one of his tallents has not been to find his niche it has been to force his game. We have enough tallent without him to succeed so it will be up to him to either be a part of that success or not.
Nostalgic sports center highlights that got him to one playoff series in his career, which coincidentally was his "worst" year up to that date.
Francis offers plenty. Specifically, he gets butts in seats at the TC. That's a big part of why Les wanted him back, I'll bet.
So many bitter bitter people in here SF hatred keeps on rising but it is ok . . . Steve Francis will make a way He will be ok and the Rockets will be better for it Rocket River Steve Francis is back with the Houston Rockets. . .all is right in the basket ball world all these folx filled with hatred will just have to live with it
I bet alot of folx in this thread cannot WAIT for SF to make a mistake and will be sick if he doesn't "I love the Rockets but . . . " Rocket River
I don't know. Unlike Head and Wells. Steve and James just doesn't seem to flow with the Adelman offense. It's like when they have the ball, the entire offense flow just stops, and Steve and James will go into their ISO mode, and everyone else stand and watch.
"Where does Francis fit?" He doesn't. I hope he adjusts because we could use his talent. but right now, he doesn't. He better learn to work with Bonzi and Scola. Otherwise he is going to be bored this year.
It's pretty simple for Francis to fit in. He has to let the shot come to him instead of forcing it. It's like there isn't a shot he doesn't like. When he got the ball...it's like he own it and he's going to shoot. No wonder he's not starting. He still have the talents no doubt...but in this offense...you got to pass around and set up plays and execute for easy bucket. The shot is always there in this offense...you can jack it up all you want but that's not going to bolt well for the team. Jacking up when time runs out is fine but jacking up early when there are plenty time is not good. They're considered 'bad shot selection,' and Francis haven't changed. Tmac is right....someone's got to sacrifice in this offense and you can not expect to be selfish and work. Mike James appear to sacrifice his game alright as i seen him pass around and create opportunity for open teammates. That's why James is getting a lot of minutes.
Francis not looking good tonight. He needs dribble to be effective. He is lost out there in Adelman's offense.
RA's offense requires players to move without the ball. SF3 is most effective when he has the ball in his hands, yet decision making is not his specialty. If he should be among the players cut from this team, then I feel that I can make one declaration concerning him, which is, "RUDY T SPOILED HIM!!!" Just think, he has not excelled playing for any other head coach in the league since Rudy T stepped down from the Rockets in 2003. I can remember that during the second half of the 2005-06 season, the Orlando Magic started taking off and racking up wins after trading SF3 to the Knicks. They nearly won their way into the playoffs after there was a time it appeared they had no chance at all of getting there.
