<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Did Francis have a successful 2003-04 season? It depends on who you ask. Some point to his statistical dropoff as proof that Francis isn't capable of fitting into coach Jeff Van Gundy's system. Others say Francis sacrificed his numbers for the betterment of the team. While his numbers across the board were significantly better in past seasons, Francis led his team to the postseason for the first time in five years, so it was indeed a successful season for the Rockets guard according to Van Gundy </div> Full Review Was Francis's season successful? He came on strong in the end of the season and in the playoffs. Is this an indication of how he will play if he's around next season?
I dont think so, he shouldnt of been an allstar, atleast not a starter. His numbers dropped, he took too many shots, he doesnt fit in Van Gundys system, it basically looks like he doesnt want to take a back seat to Yao.
Despite the change in stats, you have to know that he did lead his team to a playoff berth, and basically was the only player who showed up each game in the playoffs.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Kobe 8 Ball:</div><div class="quote_post">I dont think so, he shouldnt of been an allstar, atleast not a starter. His numbers dropped, he took too many shots, he doesnt fit in Van Gundys system, it basically looks like he doesnt want to take a back seat to Yao.</div> 14 shots per game (lowest of his career) is too many shots? His game doesn't fit the typical inside-outside mold of say a Charlie Ward or Chris Childs, but it's a lot better than those dudes so who cares. Oh and he has taken a back seat to Yao... <div class="quote_poster">Quoting Trip:</div><div class="quote_post">Despite the change in stats, you have to know that he did lead his team to a playoff berth, and basically was the only player who showed up each game in the playoffs.</div> Exactly!
I believe he had a sucessful season. He led the team into the playoffs. However, I hope it doesn't stay that way. It should be "Yao leading the team into playoffs" in the future. Now I understand Yao isn't ready yet (the guy's only a sophomore in the league and 5 years younger than Francis) and I'm fine with Francis leading them to the playoffs this year. It was expected. Quote from the article: "The question is, will the Rockets be a better team with Francis returning to scoring 20+ points per game or taking on a playmaking role to set up his teammates for scoring opportunities? Unless they add another serious scoring threat, the Rockets will need more offensive production from Francis in 2004-05." Getting rid of Mobley, adding Brent Barry at PG and moving Francis to SG is what came across my mind when I read this. If any of you have played basketball, you will know that it is not an easy thing to be a scoring PG, to move the ball up court, dribble around, find out that the shot clock is going down, and try to create all by yourself. I think this is what Francis tried to do more-so this year as evident by his career low FG%. This just shows that he has not taken a backseat to Yao this year. Sure the guy took less shots, but that was only because Yao's been playing more this year. Francis is still trying to desperately do his own thing and that is why his FG% suffered. If Francis can be a SG/Slasher setting up in the wing while Barry brings the ball up, it'll give Steve more time to rest and set himself up to score. Also, once he gets the ball, he can either dump it to Yao or a deadly 3point shooter in Barry to dump it out to. Mobley is almost as good of a shooter as Barry but trust me, Mobley makes WAY more ill-advised plays than Barry will. I think it's because he has been playing with Francis alot, but in any case I like Barry more than Mobley. All in all, Francis only deferred to Yao as the focal point slightly and I don't like that. His FG% should not be that low if you think he has given up "the man" title in Houston but he did have at least a decent, if not sucessful, season. Making the playoffs is pretty huge.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting SupraJames:</div><div class="quote_post"> If Francis can be a SG/Slasher setting up in the wing while Barry brings the ball up, it'll give Steve more time to rest and set himself up to score. Also, once he gets the ball, he can either dump it to Yao or a deadly 3point shooter in Barry to dump it out to. Mobley is almost as good of a shooter as Barry but trust me, Mobley makes WAY more ill-advised plays than Barry will. I think it's because he has been playing with Francis alot, but in any case I like Barry more than Mobley. All in all, Francis only deferred to Yao as the focal point slightly and I don't like that. His FG% should not be that low if you think he has given up "the man" title in Houston but he did have at least a decent, if not sucessful, season. Making the playoffs is pretty huge.</div> His career low FG% came because Van Gundy's offense doesn't allow much penetration unless you force things, Francis has been forced to play on the outside for the first time in his life and as a result took more jump shots and less free throws, anyone who has played basketball should expect a decline in FG%. You like Barry more than Mobely soley on offense which is dumb, we aren't the Mavericks, defense is what carries this team and he won't look as good on a team with only a couple of real offensive weapons. Only slightly? You don't watch the games man, that offense was designed to force feed Yao even though he really wasn't even ready. Oh and in the words of Jeff Van Gundy, Francis wasn't successful he was VERY successful.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting RocketLaunch:</div><div class="quote_post">His career low FG% came because Van Gundy's offense doesn't allow much penetration unless you force things, Francis has been forced to play on the outside for the first time in his life and as a result took more jump shots and less free throws, anyone who has played basketball should expect a decline in FG%.</div> Um.. why would you have a decline in FG% when you're taking more open jump shots? JVG's offense gives you more open shots because people double team Yao and they leave someone open. Francis is not a bad perimeter shooter, way better than 40% that's for sure. So what's the problem? And why force penetrations if you know it's not what the offense is meant to be? <div class="quote_poster">Quoting RocketLaunch:</div><div class="quote_post">You like Barry more than Mobely soley on offense which is dumb, we aren't the Mavericks, defense is what carries this team and he won't look as good on a team with only a couple of real offensive weapons.</div> Please actually watch Brent Barry play before you assume dumb things.
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Please actually watch Brent Barry play before you assume dumb things.</div>I agree, Barry would bring height to our undersized backcourt, and to say the truth, Mobley is not that great a defender.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting SupraJames:</div><div class="quote_post">Um.. why would you have a decline in FG% when you're taking more open jump shots? JVG's offense gives you more open shots because people double team Yao and they leave someone open. Francis is not a bad perimeter shooter, way better than 40% that's for sure. So what's the problem? And why force penetrations if you know it's not what the offense is meant to be? Please actually watch Brent Barry play before you assume dumb things.</div> Francis isn't that good of a perimeter shooter, before he shot respectable percentages because he got plenty of easy layups while driving to the basket, not anymore though. He's only stood out in Seattle to me, I remember the lock out season he played with Chicago and he sucked, he gets to Seattle and plays with a talented offense and he stands out. Hmmm... Anyway, I'd like him on the Rockets, he could bring some stability to the offense off the bench, he's a free agent maybe the Rockets will offer him a contract. He could spell Francis at PG and Mobely at SG, or maybe even start if he improves his defense...
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Trip:</div><div class="quote_post">I agree, Barry would bring height to our undersized backcourt, and to say the truth, Mobley is not that great a defender.</div> Not that great I guess, but he will bust his ass on D, and is capable of shutting down some of the better SG's in the league. By the way, what's up with your Manson sig? May I recommend Slayer, Maiden, Sabbath, Opeth? How do you get one of those?
Barry is decent in defense at least. Better than Mobley for sure. Trust me on this. You want him in your team. The guy is one of the premier 3pt shooter in the league.
Francis isn't a bad perimeter shooter though, I'm trying to recall, but didn't he shoot 39% from 3PT range one season...
Francis isn't a bad perimeter shooter though, I'm trying to recall, but didn't he shoot 39% from 3PT range one season...I agree his FG% went down because of how the offense was run, and their being less freedom for him.
35.5% 39.6% 32.4% 35.4% 29.2% <- This year Those are Francis' year to year 3pt shooting percentage. The guy can shoot. It's just that he's been trying to do too much on his own this year instead of trying to fit into JVG's offense completely. If you can shoot 35+% in 3pter, you're a decent shooter at least. This is why I say move Francis out of PG, let someone take care of the ball and shoot better percentage.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting RocketLaunch:</div><div class="quote_post">Not that great I guess, but he will bust his ass on D, and is capable of shutting down some of the better SG's in the league. By the way, what's up with your Manson sig? May I recommend Slayer, Maiden, Sabbath, Opeth? How do you get one of those?</div> Mobley's transition from bad to OK defender has to be credited to Jeff Van Gundy. He instilled a defensive mentality in Mobley and he did do a great job with Kobe Bryant. I like all those bands except Opeth. Death metal just doesn't appeal to me. I made my own sig, if you want one, feel free to PM me.
I think Francis had a great year in that he sacrificed for the team and made a solid effort to be the PG JVG wanted. He was our MVP in the playoffs and played remarkably well. As far as whos better between Cat and Barry...Barry is tha better shooter and passer...and thas it...Cat showed some stellar perimeter defense on Kobe in this year's playoffs and he has emerged as a reliable perimeter defender under JVG...He also is skilled at creating his own shot and getting into the lane easy, which is a must for a 2-guard...Barry can be very wild with his passing, and while he is an awesome 3-point shooter, he doesnt have much else in terms of offense, other than the occassional layup or dunk...Barry would thrive in a running offense and a motion offense, not a half-court, post-orientated offense... Bottom line, Francis had a very underrated season, and I think its only fair that he deserves another year under JVG's system after showing what he did in the playoffs...The Rockets' main priorities should be a legit PF and some decent bench depth before they worry about their PG spot...
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting HoustonHoopa33:</div><div class="quote_post">Bottom line, Francis had a very underrated season, and I think its only fair that he deserves another year under JVG's system after showing what he did in the playoffs...The Rockets' main priorities should be a legit PF and some decent bench depth before they worry about their PG spot...</div> I agree. Sure, Francis had a bad season stat-wise, but the lane was clogged for him to drive with a 7-6 giant standing there. Steve did a great job passing off to open shooters off the drive and that is a positive. I'd like to see us sign a combo guard to back Francis and Cat up and a power forward to start so Cato can back Yao up. Weatherspoon has to be gone...
