Big Game James had the quickest first step for a frontcourt player and probably the quickest dropstep. As for Rockets, Cat Mobley, Tim Breaux, and McG had the quickest first steps that I've seen.
He was never that quick. Steve Francis beat people by dribbling constantly and eventually throwing someone off. It's easier to get by a defender when you waste 20 seconds dribbling. He's more or less the opposite of someone with a quick first step.
Francis was EXCELLENT at getting a defender off balance. Ask YouTube about Troy Hudson. Edit: you're right about his first step, though. It wasn't that quick and he stepped "short" as opposed to guys with a long stride first step (Breaux, Cat, McG)
Mr. Crossover <iframe title="YouTube video player" width="480" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/V0HRPIu02Xo" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
Prime Francis had all of the above, to a ridiculous degree. Cat and Steve were awesome to watch sometimes... :grin:
if shooting over some1 counts as a first step/ crossover and off balance...then i give it to Yao...lol
I remember seeing AI crossover MJ and left him at the three point line dumbfounded. It was Iversons rookie year.
It is sad that the crossover generation ended quick. Like the early 2000s were full of crossover kings. The PGs today vs the PGs in the early 2000s would dominate the earlier generation. I think the biggest difference between the two is that the generation today play with much more poise and higher IQ. Im not saying the earlier gen has low bball IQ, its more like the newer Gen are much more basketball fundamental wise. Other than Allen Iverson, those PGs were not nearly as dominant as the PGs today. The PGs in todays game can lead a team much better than the earlier PGs. The earlier generation dribbles the ball way too much trying to do too much while the guards today execute the offense much faster and much more efficient. The PGs today are more team oriented and are much more advance passer than the earlier gen. Other than AI, you can't build your team around any one of those PGs but you can build your team around these new generation PGs and be successful. In todays game, the PGs in the NBA are much more dominant, which is why this is the era of PGs. The crossover Generation are indeed fun to watch but because of their style of play, they weren't successful as the PGs today. And I can you that non of those PGs from the crossover Generation are even on a superstar level like the PGs we have today in Westbrook, Rose, Paul, Deron, Wall etc. If I would have to pick which Generation of PGs between the crossover Generation and the todays PGs, Ill go with the todays PGs because their style of are much more effective.
If I remember correctly, T-mac had a crazy fast first step back in the Orlando days. A lot of times he just takes one dribble and dunk it. I like dat..
Agreed, very hard to guard someone who can take 1 dribble from the NBA three from the triple threat and flush.
