When we drafted Yao we needed a center, and it was a major need. So we LUCKED UP and got the first overall pick. We would have been dumb to pass on a man 7'5" who could shoot from the outside and make sweet passes. The guy is not Hakeem and never will be, but noone else will either. Hakeem was a phenomenal,once in a lifetime athlete. Yao was the best available at the time and probably will be for a while to come, at the center position. Similarly, we made a hell of a deal to get Francis. We barely missed the playoffs his second year, his third year he had all those health problems, and his fourth year we missed barely again. Now in his fifth year we have a new coach and he is trying a new system, and we are not anywhere near out of it yet. By the way, Francis's career averages coming into the season are what? Like 20,7, and 7? If you think our only problem is we need to trade Francis, you are an idiot. If you think our only problem is that we need to trade Yao, you are an idiot. If you thought we should be in the Finals this year just because we had Yao, you are overly ambitious, and as much as I hope we do it is not realistic. Being the second best center in the league at this point, if he truly is, does not mean much. It is like saying I am the best center in the world with the initials WLH. So what? Give these guys time, see what happens, maybe we will even get to the second round this year if we can step up the offensive output after the first 25% of the season. BTW we don't need to trade Mobley either, and I personally am not thrilled with trading Cato for the hell of it.
Steve Francis has never averaged 7 assists. In fact every year he has been in the league his assist numbers have gone down. With this year being the biggest drop off. I really hope they put Francis at shooting guard and have Mobley come from the bench. I think Mobley would be the perfect 6th man. Which i think he already proved that a few years ago coming off the bench for some great production.
Mobley averages the most minutes of anyone on the team. I don't understand why people think he is ever going to be benched. It isn't like we don't have 3 other players who are pretty good as shooting guards (Francis, Piatkowski, Jackson). Francis will either learn to be a good point guard (possible, but not likely), he will be traded (I hope so), or Mobley will be traded and a new point guard brought in (bad idea IMO, given Mobley's cost vs production).
Well...he wasnt that far off...and his phrasing made it clear that he didnt know for sure. SF has career averages of 20/6/6 one of only a few to do that. I dont remember the exact number of players to average that...but it isnt a large number..under 5 for sure. If and (I realize that is a big IF), he even manages to *get it* this year...his assist numbers should remain at or a little higher than his career average. It would help even more if the rest of the team(SF included) could consistently hit their damn shots. Im still believing....I'm willing to give them this year...if they cant get it done(playoffs, and better teamball) then I will jump on the trade bandwagon..but till then, I am and remain a Rockets believer.
SF's assists yesterday were good because MoT and Yao hit (along with Cat). The more they and Pike hit, the more assists for Steve and the less shots he'll take. So, in a sense, it depends to a large degree on their shooting %'s.... not on whether or not he is a "good PG". If Jason Kidd was throwing to cato his assists would go down too...
It's about being able to spot the open man, delievering the perfect pass, and know when to feed the hothand. Francis, while being an extremely talented athelte, lacks in the judgement/brain department. I mean, look at his last dunk contest >< The man cannot copy a dunk he saw 30 seconds ago because he cant remember.....
If Jason Kiod was the PG of the Rocks he would only pass to Cato when in a High Prercentage position to score. Our Point Guard is not able to do this and doesnt have the mind set to pass first , shoot second.We all hope that JVG will help Steve become the PG we want him to be.
He couldn't copy it because it was impossible for him to do but I guess some people will always try and come up with a reason to bash Steve, Oh yeah have you seen his new shoe commercial? I'll bet you'll find some way to bash him for saying or doing something in it.
I have to disagree with u on that. A good passer has that instinct to anticipate this teammate and the ball left his hand while his teammate is on the move. If Kidd is throwing to Cato it would be all Alley hoop or very easy under the basket dunk. Did you see how many beautiful passes J Kidd made when he and Kmart combines for the alleyhoop and the fast break with Richard Jefferson. The difference between Kidd and Francis is that he makes good decision and have great instinct to anticipate the teammate. It's not about your guys hit the shot, it's about creates perfect opportunity for your guys to score the basket. How about just throw it to Shaq and has him dunk every time, does it make that passer a great passer? No.
