Francis is back, I'm stoked. I can't believe our offseason started less than 2 months ago. The Rockets have all the way until the trade deadline to trade for whatever they need, and for once we have pieces to work with.
<div class="quote_poster">MrJ Wrote</div><div class="quote_post"> They might be able to get our of the first round, which is a plus.</div> One small step for Tmac...One giant leep for the rockets.
Okay, on second thought, I'm having ONE little concern about Stevie..to refresh my memory, I checked his stats on NBA.com and he averaged almost close to 4 turnovers in most of his seasons with significant minutes played and actually averaged 4 during his strong season with Orlando. Alston averaged only 2 plus TOs in almost the same number of minutes Just a little concern of mine.. Come to think of it though, he will probably play only 20-30 mins a game a night as we have Mike James, so I hope the damage done by his turnovers will be at a minimum.
<div class="quote_poster">Locke Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Damn right! With the point guard situation, I don't think it'll be hard to deal either Alston or Head for a power forward. We need to do some package deals to clear up the roster spots, and Skip + Head + maybe Sura or Reed's contracts can maybe get us a guy like Anderson Varejao in a sign-n-trade. I'm pretty sure that the salaries match up as well. Then either waive or trade Lucas for a pick, and I'm sure the roster would be whittled down to an ideal size. Snyder can be moved also.</div> How come when Rock4life says "we still need another PF", you guys raise hell Anywayz...........Im nuetral on this. Francis is a dribble-first guard. In order for him to be successful, he'll have to learn to be a catch-n-shoot scoring guard. I've watched Stevie over the years, and his game hasn't really changed. The same things we hated him for, Orlando & New York hated him for as well. For some reason, I can see Tmac getting really frustrated at Francis some point thru next season. We'll have to see <div class="quote_poster">Locke Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">I'm expecting something from Rock4life but whatever, I'm too happy right now to be combative!</div>
The Rockets are going to be one of the teams I`m really gonna have to keep my eye on. I`m really pulling for you guys make a deep playoff run. I hope with the addition of Francis can bring a decent flow with T-Mac and Yao along with Battier and Bonzi.
<div class="quote_poster">Rock4life Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">How come when Rock4life says "we still need another PF", you guys raise hell Anywayz...........Im nuetral on this. Francis is a dribble-first guard. In order for him to be successful, he'll have to learn to be a catch-n-shoot scoring guard. I've watched Stevie over the years, and his game hasn't really changed. The same things we hated him for, Orlando & New York hated him for as well. For some reason, I can see Tmac getting really frustrated at Francis some point thru next season. We'll have to see </div> Why would you have to be neutral to everything where the Rockets pick up something for nothing? We got Francis for nothing but money. If he doesn't pan out, we don't play him or trade him. Scola and Butler also both came from nothing. What's there to be neutral about? You'd be neutral to getting a free Big Mac with your McDonald's value meal? Of course you say that's a good deal! Unless you're just saying neutral so nothing would come back to bite your ass and you'd keep your "right" streak alive. As for needing another power forward, it's more to alleviate the point guard logjam than to add a big body. Frankly, we do need another power forward but nothing that would cost a lot. Just a guy to take up 10-15 minutes a game and is injury insurance. We don't necessary have the best PF combo in the league but I think what we have is enough, given that both Hayes and Scola stay healthy.
My friend goes to this place in Houston (I wont say but some of yall might know) and he talked to JL3 and Steve Francis there. He's friends with Mike James. He said John Lucas said ... I know I'm getting traded and Rockets have already asked me which city I would rather go to, but I dont care as long as I get my paper. He said he just said wasup to Francis because Francis was busy talking to his agent on the phone the whole time (this was the day before he was actually signed) He said Mike James was a little disappointed that they signed Francis because he wanted a lot of minutes and wanted to have a bigger role on the team and he said now my minutes are going down. He also said all NBA players that come there to practice say its all good as long as they get their money.
Seriously Rock, it's like the whole world revolves around you or something. Stop bringing up different threads into other ones. Noone has ever said we don't need anymore PF's. All thats been said is that Scola is better than you think he is.
<div class="quote_poster">Locke Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Why would you have to be neutral to everything where the Rockets pick up something for nothing? We got Francis for nothing but money. If he doesn't pan out, we don't play him or trade him. Scola and Butler also both came from nothing. What's there to be neutral about? You'd be neutral to getting a free Big Mac with your McDonald's value meal? Of course you say that's a good deal! Unless you're just saying neutral so nothing would come back to bite your ass and you'd keep your "right" streak alive.</div> I'm "nuetral" in the fact I like the trade for reasons, and don't like it for other reasons. I think some of you lose focus on the whole point of gettin Adelman. We're trying to compete for a CHAMPIONSHIP. Every move we make is crucial to the success of the team. You keep saying "well we got Francis for cheap", which is true. However, there is a possibilty that his attitude could "hurt" the team sometime during the season. Which could kill the chemistry on the team, and that has no price to it. <div class="quote_poster">Locke Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">As for needing another power forward, it's more to alleviate the point guard logjam than to add a big body. Frankly, we do need another power forward but nothing that would cost a lot. Just a guy to take up 10-15 minutes a game and is injury insurance. We don't necessary have the best PF combo in the league but I think what we have is enough, given that both Hayes and Scola stay healthy.</div> I understand we can't get a allstar. But we can definatley get a solid veteran.
<div class="quote_poster">Rock4life Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">I'm "nuetral" in the fact I like the trade for reasons, and don't like it for other reasons. I think some of you lose focus on the whole point of gettin Adelman. We're trying to compete for a CHAMPIONSHIP. Every move we make is crucial to the success of the team. You keep saying "well we got Francis for cheap", which is true. However, there is a possibilty that his attitude could "hurt" the team sometime during the season. Which could kill the chemistry on the team, and that has no price to it. </div> I'm not looking to get into a big argument here, but this can't be your main reason for not liking the Francis trade. You loved the Bonzi signing, and you're endorsing us going after Kenyon Martin and Chris Webber -- both of whom have feuded with coaches numerous times over their playing time and how they're used. Attitude could be an issue with Francis, I agree. But I think your main beef with him is you just don't like how he plays the PG position. I also have reservations about his PG skills, so I can understand where you're coming from. Like you, I'm taking a "wait and see" approach to this particular acquisition.
<div class="quote_poster">durvasa Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">I'm not looking to get into a big argument here, but this can't be your main reason for not liking the Francis trade. You loved the Bonzi signing, and you're endorsing us going after Kenyon Martin and Chris Webber -- both of whom have feuded with coaches numerous times over their playing time and how they're used. Attitude could be an issue with Francis, I agree. But I think your main beef with him is you just don't like how he plays the PG position. I also have reservations about his PG skills, so I can understand where you're coming from. Like you, I'm taking a "wait and see" approach to this particular acquisition.</div> You are forgetting that acquiring Stevie opens up Rafer for trade. We may be able to get Haslem, which was previously unlikely before getting Francis.
<div class="quote_poster">foo82 Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">You are forgetting that acquiring Stevie opens up Rafer for trade. We may be able to get Haslem, which was previously unlikely before getting Francis.</div> I think it was likely that Alston would be traded regardless. Even if we didn't sign another big name PG, that would just mean more minutes for Aaron Brooks. I wouldn't have minded that too much.
<div class="quote_poster">durvasa Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">I think it was likely that Alston would be traded regardless. Even if we didn't sign another big name PG, that would just mean more minutes for Aaron Brooks. I wouldn't have minded that too much.</div> I doubt it. I don't think we would have traded Alston without the signing of Francis. Brooks is still unproven and it would have been unwise to have an undersized guard that has not even faced NBA competition as your primary backup to start the season.
