http://www.nba.com/allstar2003/then_now_thomas_francis.html Isiah Thomas and Steve Francis share qualities NBA coaches seek in a point guard -- quickness, fearlessness, leadership. Thomas and Francis entered the NBA as underclassmen. Thomas spent two years in college and was fresh off an NCAA title with Indiana University in 1981 when he was chosen in the first round by the Pistons, with whom he spent his whole career. Francis left the University of Maryland after playing one season and was drafted by the then Vancouver Grizzlies, who traded his rights to the Rockets. Like Thomas, Francis possesses a quickness off the dribble that precious few other point guards can defend. This quickness also helps Francis be fearless when he journeys into the lane. Francis' free throw attempts have increased each season. At 6-3, Francis is two inches bigger than Thomas and is a more explosive leaper (participated in two Slam Dunk contests) and is a better rebounder (averages 6.2 rebounds per game compared to Thomas' 3.6). Francis, also like Thomas, is a point guard who can score. While Thomas' had his best season scoring (22.9 ppg in 1982-83) his second year in the league, Francis' scoring average has increased every season to where he's averaging three points more (22.9 ppg) than his career average. Thomas, who was a mesmerizing ballhandler, was better at getting his teammates involved. Thomas averaged 9.3 assists per game in his career, led the league in 1984-85 with 13.9 assists per game, the third highest average of the past 20 seasons. This ability to make his teammates better made Thomas one of the best point guards in NBA history. Thomas never shied away from contact, either, as he would go into the lane often. His 25 points in one quarter against the Lakers in 1988, is still a record and is even more amazing considering he scored a majority of those points on a prained ankle. I just thought this was interesting and sorry if this has been posted. But as a kid growing up i've never really seen much of Isiah's game and how he would handle games, but the comparison on the two seem similiar . All but the assist. I think if Francis becomes aware that if we start winning with his assist, then he can be even better than Isiah was. No doubt Francis has better strengths and leap than Isiah but if Francis can get pass that assist level to a high notch then he could become one of the greatest. Just my thoughts. please dont kill me
Francis has better athletic ability but Isaiah was head and shoulders superior in the cerebral aspects of the game.
Steve is one of my favorite players and one of the best pgs in the game, but Isiah he is not. In terms of athletic ability, Francis is superior, but that's where it stops. Zeke was quicker, had a better handle, uncanny court vision complemented with laser precision passes, and he was a good defensive player. Zeke had the heart of a lion (see Iverson, but knew he had 4 others on the floor) and could score at will. The beauty of Thomas is that he knew he could score anytime down the floor, but he chose to involve his teammates because he knew it made them play harder on both ends of the floor. I'm sure you've heard of the Bad Boys. They tended to play hard on both ends. This is what got Isiah his 2 championships. Early in his career, he did it all, and I mean all. This would get him and the Pistons close to the ring, but not quite. When he got others invovled it equaled championship. For the record, the championship Pistons are the only team to win it all without a 20 pt scorer for that season. No egos, just team. It was this mentality, coupled with his unmatched skill that put Isiah in about 5 classes above Steve.
Let me put it this way, if you were to build a team then or now, you would build it around a Isiah Thomas, not Francis. The only thing they have in common is they are around six feet tall and play guard.
Don't underestimate Isiah's athleticism when comparing him to Francis. No doubt, Francis had the edge. But back in the day. Isiah could not only dunk, he could get high enough to touch the top of the square on the backboard.
It's kinda sad that no one thinks that Francis is as good as Isaiah. I mean he's our FRANCHISE player. Come on Stevie, turn it around!
This just a question but how could his 25 points in one quarter be a record if someone had a 100 point game? KAJ! Did Kareem's game go into overtime or something? Someone please help me understand... LB
There are definite differences between Franics and Isiah. 1. Isiah, was a much bigger cry baby. Advantage Francis 2.Isiah also froze people out, got them traded, and his 'friends brought in' usurping the role of team management. Advantage Francis. 3. Isiah also played PG his whole life, Franics didn't start playing PG until he came to the NBA. Advantage Isiah. 4. Upside at same point in their career- see above... Advantage Francis 5. Athleticism - both were athletic, but Zeke wasn't the same as Franchise. Advantage Francis. 6. Took his team to the playoffs and won multiple championships. HUGE advantage Isiah. Mainly because of number 6 I say Isiah wins, but that could change someday.
The thing about it is that Steve can change his game and become a better true point (more assists, easier shots for the team) but Isiah in his prime could never be as athletic as Steve. Give Steve some time and he will make the changes neccesary for this team to succeed. Dont buy this jealous of Yao or freezing him out bull****, Steve has had nothing but good things to say about Yao and his game.
No offense but you really should put "IMO" after that sentence... I'm not jocking Steve but he is a premier player right now that hasn't had much to work with and is dedicated to improving upon his weaknesses and becoming a true leader... Rings do signify a better team and Thomas was the best on that team so that speaks volumes but class is measured in other ways...
isiah thomas' record is not 25 points in a regular season quarter, guys. it's an nba finals record 25 points in the 4th quarter. you guys didn't see that game vs. the lakers? in-credible. and ALL 25 points were on a severely sprained ankle. he was unreal.
1. Tell that to Vancouver. Maybe not so much crying as whining though. So I dunno 2. Shandon Anderson belived he did not get touches with Stevie and Cat. Also diddn't Stevie publicly say trade the #1 pick for Odom (mayb eit was just Cat, but I think it was Stevie too). So Stevie does try to get involved in Management
Thomas' teams were better than Stevie's. Would the Pistons have lost 23 of 25 with Isaih out? I doubt it. Enjoy this man, he is good. Very good. Growing and improving, and with a championship or three in him!
BTW. It pleases me that SF is being compared to the Thomas' of the game. How come Dre and Baron and Bibby and Williams aren't?
I've seen both of them play and I see more differeces between them. 1.Court awareness and passing accuracy . Huge advantage Isiah. 2.Organizing and finishing fast breaks. Advantage Isiah. 3.Defensive intensity and defensive skills. Huge advantage Isiah. 4.Keep head cool and not turning ball over at crutial moments. Huge advantage Isiah. 5. Killer instinct. Advantage Isiah. In other words, Steve has a long way to go to be as good as Isiah.
btw, steve francis, at this point is nowhere near isiah thomas. isiah was a born point guard that could score at will. steve is a born scorer that's a below average point guard.
Agreed. As soon as we realize that Stevie Franchise is pretty much useless when he can't score, then his sitting out of the game in which he shot 1-12 is very understandable. What can Francis do when he's not scoring well? 1. Playing smothering defense like the Glove? Nah. 2. Making plays and reward the teammates with open shots like Jason Kidd? Nah, not likely. 3. Kill the momentum by turning the ball over and over? A huge yes. 4. Grab some extra rebounds? Yes, always, but what is it going to do when you can't run a fast break to get points off those rebounds? Steve Francis is a liability on the court when he can't score well, it's sad the Rockets has to make this guy as their franchise player. A great player elevates other aspects of his game when his scoring is down. Jordan, Hakeem, Thomas and even Pippen has other aspects of game that justify putting them on the court when they can't score. No for Francis, Francis is pretty much a one trick pony. Truth hurts. It's a joke to compare Francis with Thomas. Thomas was a complete package, Francis isn't. They aren't even close.
