<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'><span style="font-size:14pt;line-height:100%">Francis says flash not so important anymore</span><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:100%">Newest Rocket knows his role will be different</span>By JONATHAN FEIGENCopyright 2007 Houston Chronicle Steve Francis walked down the familiar hallway to the Rockets' practice court, past the portraits of the five Rockets teams on which he played, past the photograph of himself as one of the Rockets' All-Stars.He pointed to the championship banners still hanging on the other end of the court, and soon displayed the No. 3 Rockets uniform he once wore and would again.Suddenly, the past three seasons seemed to have slipped by in a wink, with so much unchanged.But he was different. The Rockets were different. And to Francis ? reintroduced on Friday in his return to the Rockets three seasons after he was traded to Orlando ? that made all the difference."I'm not really looking to doing the flashy stuff like I used to," Francis said. "That right there was to get on SportsCenter. Now I'll try to get on SportsCenter winning games. I think that's what's important."Francis' is no longer expected to be the go-to offensive force on a team with Tracy McGrady and Yao Ming, and with the offseason's other point-guard acquisition, Mike James, in place."People get at the stage of their career, winning is more important," Francis said. "There have been seasons for myself and Tracy, for Yao, the numbers were sky high. We could get 20, 25 points every game, but I think at this stage of people's career, I think it's more important that everybody focus on winning."It was tough (to decide on a team). The fact that made a difference is this team is ready to win now."A Bobby Jackson typeRockets general manager Daryl Morey said it is too early to know how Francis will be used, though Francis said it's not important if he starts or not.Morey described an instant offense role similar to the one Bobby Jackson played off Rick Adelman's bench in Sacramento. But he said even with the disappointments of last season, Francis showed flashes of the being the All-Star he was with the Rockets and could be that kind of player with that kind of responsibility again."Steve has gone from ... I wouldn't say it but people have argued, overrated when he was here before, to I think dramatically underrated," Morey said. "He's still a very good player. He played very well for New York last year. His ability to get to the basket I think is still top 10 in the league."We really feel he can play the role Bobby Jackson played for (Adelman) in the past very effectively. In this system, guys who can cut and get to the hoop really, really have a premium value. (Adelman) has not determined the role anyone's going to have, but I think that's a role for sure he can play. We still feel like he has All-Star ability."He's saying, 'I'm looking to contribute. ... If that's a Bobby Jackson role, that's great.' "The acquisition of Francis could lead to other moves. Morey has said he would look to move point guard John Lucas III. He has spoken to several teams, including New Orleans.He said he would not necessarily move other point guards, but the Miami Heat have expressed interest in Rafer Alston, with forward Udonis Haslem and center Michael Doleac among the names discussed.Closing the gapWith his third major move of the offseason, Morey said owner Leslie Alexander believed the Rockets had closed the "talent gap" of the top Western Conference teams, the Dallas Mavericks, San Antonio Spurs and Phoenix Suns. That also was enough for Francis to return."I'm definitely ecstatic about being given the opportunity to come back to the place I began this journey, and possibly making it to the championship," Francis said. "I'm excited to be back here with Yao, a guy like Tracy and all the guys that are very, very good players."We have a lot of talent. We have a lot of versatile individuals on this roster. It doesn't make a difference where I fit in. I just want to go out and win."To me, it's another step, another not only for myself, but to help this franchise go to another level."</div>http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/4987190.html
Wow...if Morey could really land Haslem with giving up only Alston and chump change, that would be absolutely brilliant. He is absolutely perfect for this team, and with 4 other guys on this team that can create for themselves and looking to score most of the time (Yao, T-Mac, James and Francis) he is a perfect compliment. Defensively he would instantly be a HUGE upgrade to anyone the Rockets have had since T-Mac has arrived.As I have said before, even if signing Francis was redundent, he is still a big talent upgrade and frees up Alston as a major trading chip to a team like Miami.
I really hope they can get something sorted to get Haslem or someone around his skill in Houston.BTW, how is our depth chart at SG-SF right now?
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (YarnIdge @ Jul 21 2007, 09:03 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>BTW, how is our depth chart at SG-SF right now?</div>Francis/James/Brooks/McGrady/Head/Wells/Battier/Snyder are all capable of playing the 2 and/or 3. I think I am forgetting someone, but that sounds about right.
we have way too many guardsPG-James/Francis/Alston/Brooks/SuraSG-T-mac/Wells/HeadSF-Battier/Wells/SnyderPF-Scola/Hayes/ButlerC-Yao/Mutombo/Butler
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Nitro1118 @ Jul 21 2007, 08:53 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Wow...if Morey could really land Haslem with giving up only Alston and chump change, that would be absolutely brilliant. He is absolutely perfect for this team, and with 4 other guys on this team that can create for themselves and looking to score most of the time (Yao, T-Mac, James and Francis) he is a perfect compliment. Defensively he would instantly be a HUGE upgrade to anyone the Rockets have had since T-Mac has arrived.As I have said before, even if signing Francis was redundent, he is still a big talent upgrade and frees up Alston as a major trading chip to a team like Miami.</div>That would be a great move for you guys to do, getting Haslem for that, but why on earth would the Heat ever do that. I don't know who they reportedly heard that information from, but I believe the Heat would be beyond stupid to trade Udonis Haslem for Rafer Alston. I know they liked him while he was there, but Haslem provides them their best rebounding, and a tough man to man defensive player, as well as him, Zo, and Wade being their only real hustle players from last year. They need that, because getting rid of him, will leave Shaq, Zo, Walker, and Simien, and there is a good chance that Shaq will get hurt and miss alot of time this year. So trading him for Alston would prove to be a terrible move for them in the upcoming season.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (valo35 @ Jul 21 2007, 09:35 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>That would be a great move for you guys to do, getting Haslem for that, but why on earth would the Heat ever do that. I don't know who they reportedly heard that information from, but I believe the Heat would be beyond stupid to trade Udonis Haslem for Rafer Alston. I know they liked him while he was there, but Haslem provides them their best rebounding, and a tough man to man defensive player, as well as him, Zo, and Wade being their only real hustle players from last year. They need that, because getting rid of him, will leave Shaq, Zo, Walker, and Simien, and there is a good chance that Shaq will get hurt and miss alot of time this year. So trading him for Alston would prove to be a terrible move for them in the upcoming season.</div>Well, they don't need a true playmaking PG, but rather one who can take, and make, a lot of spot up 3's, run the break and overall give the team a boost of energy. Alston would definately give them that.But as you said, it'd be a bad, bad move by Miami. If it also included maybe Head or Scola, then I could see it being a possibility. Head would give them even more 3pt shooting that the Heat need. Scola would give them the replacement big man that they would need after trading Haslem (and with Hayes on the bench, the Rockets really don't NEED Scola).
Haslem and Hayes at the PF spot would be great, defensively. Haslem is pretty much a copy of Hayes, hustle, rebounding, and has a nose around the rim. Only thing is that Haslem is more capable of scoring on the offensive end, and the Rockets could use that up front, next to Yao.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Zards @ Jul 21 2007, 10:17 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Haslem and Hayes at the PF spot would be great, defensively. Haslem is pretty much a copy of Hayes, hustle, rebounding, and has a nose around the rim. Only thing is that Haslem is more capable of scoring on the offensive end, and the Rockets could use that up front, next to Yao.</div>Man, If we somehow land Haslem, I'll be full of joy. Getting Haslem on our team just makes us a deeper threat in the West and a serious contender. He can bring the rebounding, the hustle, defend and can score. Like you said, he's like a Chuck Hayes + the scoring. That's the type of guy we need.And if we ever vs. the Jazz again in the 1st round, we can put Haslem on Boozer instead of Yao on Boozer.Yao got demolished by Boozer.
bob sura is gonna be let off, been payin him, and he has that heart condition. Scola isn't that bad, much more of an offensive upgrade than Chuck Hayes. He actually moves with the ball, and knows how to score. If we do get Haslem it would be great, but if we don't I wouldn't worry too much.
One thing Haslem has on Hayes is height. Hayes isn't built to play the PF position. If the Rockets can aquire Haslem, then they should play Hayes at SF. He would matchup better at SF than PF with his size, and it would add an extra rebounder on the court. I think you would see his defensive skills flourish more if he was defending players his size.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (GrizzFanTaylor @ Jul 22 2007, 03:09 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>One thing Haslem has on Hayes is height. Hayes isn't built to play the PF position. If the Rockets can aquire Haslem, then they should play Hayes at SF. He would matchup better at SF than PF with his size, and it would add an extra rebounder on the court. I think you would see his defensive skills flourish more if he was defending players his size.</div>There isn't a big height difference between the two.. Haslem is only 6'8, and Hayes is 6'6 but he IS a PF. Just like Ryan Gomes, he's 6'7, but he's better suited to play PF rather than SF. Gomes is a much better scorer than Hayes, but it's almost the same situation. Hayes is a much better post defender than perimeter defender, considering that he isn't that quick, even for a player his size. Battier should definitely not come off the bench.They should just even out the minutes for Haslem/Hayes, with Hayes coming off the bench but getting the same amount of minutes Haslem gets.
Haslem should be playing about 15min more than Hayes. Haslem is a much better defender in the post and much better offensively. Hayes is nice as a spark off the bench, but he really isn't good for much outside of rebounding and the occasional steal.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Nitro1118 @ Jul 23 2007, 12:07 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Haslem should be playing about 15min more than Hayes. Haslem is a much better defender in the post and much better offensively. Hayes is nice as a spark off the bench, but he really isn't good for much outside of rebounding and the occasional steal.</div> With Yao Ming on the floor, I'm sure they don't need Hayes to contribute much offensively. A Haslem trade will be great because he's used to playing with a dominant big-man. Despite playing with Shaq he was still grabbing boards and will play tough offensively. He'll do great along-side Yao, the Rockets have to do everything they can to pursue Udonis Haslem.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (GArenas @ Jul 23 2007, 01:58 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>With Yao Ming on the floor, I'm sure they don't need Hayes to contribute much offensively.</div>They need him to hit the midrange jumpshot, cut to rim and be able to catch passes from T-Mac, and overall be enough of a threat to take pressure off Yao Ming and T-Mac.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Nitro1118 @ Jul 23 2007, 03:18 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>They need him to hit the midrange jumpshot, cut to rim and be able to catch passes from T-Mac, and overall be enough of a threat to take pressure off Yao Ming and T-Mac.</div> Of course they don't want Hayes to be an offensive liability, he'll have to contribute if he get's a rythem jump-shot. However, I don't expect him to be created for much at all if Yao's on the floor.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (GArenas @ Jul 23 2007, 02:44 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Of course they don't want Hayes to be an offensive liability, he'll have to contribute if he get's a rythem jump-shot. However, I don't expect him to be created for much at all if Yao's on the floor.</div>Hayes can't shoot jumpers. Offensively, all he can do is hit layups. It isn't a matter of getting plays written up for these players, but having another offensive option that can bail you out with a midrange shot and take pressure away from the others is very important.
