He was a good sign for the Rockets, seeing as he likes to pass so much instead of coming down and looking for his shot. Do you think that he can teach Francis (and Mobley, as well) to share the ball more and not take such horrid, illadvised shots sometimes? I certainly hope so. It could cut down on the turnover problem that Houston has, too.
Yeah I love this addition...he and Yao already work very well together...and it also allows Steve more freedom as he can play the 2-spot...he works very hard and learning where his teammates want the ball, and you can tell that Van Gundy is comfortable with the ball being in his hands...offensively, he also has the unique ability to post up and score effectively against smaller guards...he just has a great basketball IQ and his effect will be felt even more down the line as the playoff season nears...
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Crossover:</div><div class="quote_post">He was a good sign for the Rockets, seeing as he likes to pass so much instead of coming down and looking for his shot. Do you think that he can teach Francis (and Mobley, as well) to share the ball more and not take such horrid, illadvised shots sometimes? I certainly hope so. It could cut down on the turnover problem that Houston has, too.</div> I think that this year Francis and Mobley have done a much better job of spreading the ball around and not looking to go one-on-one automatically every time down the court. We can thank Jeff Van Gundy for that. I think this year the Rockets guards have actually taken better shots meaning of a higher quality. Sometimes they get criticized for shooting bad shots however usually this happens when the shot clock is under 8 seconds and if they don't jack it up, who will??? Mark Jackson was added to provide the Rockets with a solid back up point guard that can come in and play without making the coaching staff worry about him making stupid mistakes. No one can really improve Steve's passing skills except Steve. I would really like to see Francis imcorporate more ball fakes into his passes. I think this along with knowing when to pull it back on a fast break will greatly decrease the Rockets turnover numbers.
I can agree that Van Gundy has definitely forged a better team and made Mobley and Francis better at it, but they're still a bit too trigger happy, at times. <div class="quote_poster">Quoting dexter:</div><div class="quote_post">No one can really improve Steve's passing skills except Steve. I would really like to see Francis imcorporate more ball fakes into his passes. I think this along with knowing when to pull it back on a fast break will greatly decrease the Rockets turnover numbers.</div> Not to knock on Francis, but if he threw a pass fake, I know I wouldn't fall for it unless it was near the paint area. He should first better incorporate it into his game, so people will know that he not only can, but will make that pass.
mark jackson is an incredible pick up for any team and if he can help francis start looking for his teamates more, good for him. i've been following jackson's career since he came to the pacers for the first time and although he's infamous for being ridiculously slow and not a great defender, he is possibly the best passer the game has ever seen and has excellent court awareness. even if he can't help francis, he will still be a more than adequate back up and he'll only help the rockets by helping yao ming score much more easily, just as he has helped all of his teamates in the past get easy buckets.
Steve Francis is rather overrated, if it were up to me, I wouldn't have put him in the ASG at all. He passes real badly, he's as bad at turningover as AI. Plus he shoots shots he can make, much like NVE, but NVE actually makes them. He really needs to learn, but much like dex said, it's up to him and only him. Now talking on a lighter note, Jackson is truly a great addition. He provides well for the team through assists and scoring the perimeter jumper. Plus his experience could be a real asset as he knows the game, and it's players so well, not only that but he could teach everyone a thing or two. I would've loved having him on the Timberwolves, the Rockets are real lucky to have him. As for Mobley, him taking shots is alright, he works hard and deserves to shoot, afterall he is one of your best defenders.
Francis isn't really overrated. He's a great ball handler and a good rebounder, too, for a point guard. He's like a Jason Kidd, kind of - if he really tried, he could be pulling a bunch of triple doubles, too. However, he's still adjusting to the addition of Yao Ming. Even though it's been a full season and a half, old habits die hard, because he is used to carrying that Rockets team.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Crossover:</div><div class="quote_post">Francis isn't really overrated. He's a great ball handler and a good rebounder, too, for a point guard. He's like a Jason Kidd, kind of - if he really tried, he could be pulling a bunch of triple doubles, too. However, he's still adjusting to the addition of Yao Ming. Even though it's been a full season and a half, old habits die hard, because he is used to carrying that Rockets team.</div> I agree. Francis to me is a Jason Kidd programmed to lead a team by himself. He has led guards in rebounding a few times and it's only because of Yao that he's getting less boards this season. If he can insert more passing into his mentality, he can easily be a thriple double threat each night. I can see him being more of that player as he matures and becomes more experienced, but for now, I'm happy with all his numbers except for the turnovers, but he's done a better job at it this season than last season. Mark Jackson brings clutch play and court vision to an already loaded Rockets' bench. He's consistent and from what I have observed, has influenced Francis to pass more. Nowadays, Francis is getting at least 7 assists per game, and Jackson has to be given credit for rubbing his mentality onto Francis. As the playoffs near, the Rockets might have found a steal in Jackson, and I won't even be surprised if we win it all and repeat the magic of 1995.
AH! I haven't watchd one game with Jackson. *whine* As I hear you guys say he must be really helpful for the team. Hope he'll continue with that.
I think Francis is a great talent, a good player, but a terrible point guard...hopefully Jackson can teach him a thing or two...otherwise, move francis to the 2 next year...
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting notMuchgame:</div><div class="quote_post">I think Francis is a great talent, a good player, but a terrible point guard...hopefully Jackson can teach him a thing or two...</div> I think Jackson already has, Francis had 13 assists against the Kings. Maybe he'll start playing like a real point guard from now on.
Francis is FAR from overrated...what we have is a bunch of critics who dont watch the Rockets on a consistent basis and just judge by stats...this season is a growing up season for Steve, as he has altered his game and transformed to a point guard who is a leader and can run the team. More and more he is bypassing his own shots in order to get his teammates shots, which is something he wouldnt have done last season. He deserves to be in the All-Star game because of his willingness to change his identity as a player...plus his numbers of 17/5/5 are hardly shabby...Steve has been a huge part of the Rockets' success this season, and its a shame people cant appreciate the job he has done, and how hard he has worked, to be a consistent valuable performer in Jeff Van Gundy's system...
Francis is at 5.9 assists, a huge improvement from early on the season. By the end of this season, I'd expect him to be a at least 6.5 assists.
