Stevie Francis has been awful so far this month. In 4 games (2 starts) in December, Francis is averaging 17.3 minutes, 3.8 points, 2.0 rebounds and 2.0 assists per game. Francis is also only shooting 26.7% so far this month. If Francis doesn’t start playing better soon his minutes will be hard to come by because of the depth the Rockets have on the roster.

The Rockets need Rafer Alston to play better or he will lose more minutes with Mike James around. He is only shooting 37.4% from the floor and that just won’t get it done in Rick Adelman’s offense. In his first 18 games this season, Alston has averaged 29.4 minutes, 8.2 points, 3.1 rebounds, 4.8 assists and 1.1 steals per game. It’s hard to have an offense clicking on all cylinders when the point guard isn’t doing a good job and that’s what is happening on the Rockets so far this season.

Starters Shane Battier and Rafer Alston need to get back on track after a slow start to April.  In six games this April, Battier is averaging 7.7 points, 5.3 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game and he’s only shot 31.9% from the floor.  Alston is averaging 13.2 points, 4.5 rebounds and 4.5 assists per game in April, but he’s only shooting 34.7% from the floor.  Juwan Howard is the 6th man on the Rockets and he’s also having a poor month.  He’s only averaging 7.5 points, 5.0 rebounds and 0.7 assists per game and he’s only shooting 37.2% from the floor.  If the Rockets want to beat the Utah Jazz in the first round of the playoffs, all three of these guys need to get their act together….and soon!

John Lucas was finally getting a chance to prove himself and he’s been awful.  In his last 6 games, Lucas is averaging 3.5 points, 0.8 rebounds and 1.0 assist.  He also has only shot 33.3% from the floor in those games and that’s a good way to get your butt nailed to the bench.

The Rockets need Bonzi Wells to get healthy and provide some firepower off the bench.  The Rockets bench has been depleted due to injuries and Wells would definately help.  He has played in only 11 games this season and has averaged 21.5 minutes, 6.8 points, 4.0 rebounds and 1.2 assists per game.  Wells needs to improve his shooting as he’s only hitting 39% from the floor.