Houston's Big 3... Can It Work?
By Blake Atkins
HOUSTON -- Tracy McGrady and Steve Francis on the same team? Yes, Steve Francis has returned to Houston for a second run with the team, but can it work?
Tracy McGrady and Yao Ming have proven they can succeed together, yet they have not been able to get out of the first round. What is the problem? They are missing that third scorer that they can count on every night to score the ball. Houston fans are hoping Steve Francis can be the answer.
All of the elite teams have three big guns that they can goto for scoring. San Antonio with Duncan, Parker, and Ginobili. Dallas with Nowitzki, Howard, and Terry. The list goes on and on, but can McGrady, Yao, and Francis compete with that type of company. I think so…
Last season Rafer Alston was forced to take a role that no one else was willing to take, the third scorer. Alston averaged 13.3 PPG last season under defensive minded head coach, Jeff Van Gundy. Rafer shot 37% from the field, which is good for last in the NBA, but that’s not a flook.
Alston is a career 38% shooter from the field, which will not get it done for a championship contending team. With Francis, who had a off year, but still shot better than Alston with a 40% shooting percentage, will likely either start or be the sixth man, but to get to my point. Alston averaged 13.3 PPG last season under defensive minded head coach, Jeff Van Gundy. Francis, a former 3 time all-star, could possibly average around 16 PPG with new offensive minded head coach, Rick Adelman.
Personally, I think a third scorer was all the Rockets needed to have advanced to the second round. I think they have finally gotten it with the Francis. Though he might not be the “Franchise” anymore, but he could possibly be the final piece to the franchise.
2007 batkins182. All rights reserved.
