Hehe, apparently to the coaches of the National Basketball Association, Steve Francis is as good a defender as Eddie Jones. http://www.nba.com/news/defensive_010502.html?nav=ArticleList Nope, he didn't make either team, didn't come close, but Other players receiving votes, with point totals (First Team votes in parentheses): David Robinson 13 (3); Shawn Marion 12 (5); Eric Snow 12 (3); Allen Iverson 12 (5); Theo Ratliff 9 (2); Karl Malone 9 (2); George Lynch 8; Anthony Mason 6; Brian Grant 6 (2); Latrell Sprewell 6 (1); Michael Finley 6; Scottie Pippen 5 (2); Bo Outlaw 4 (1); Antonio Davis 4; Clifford Robinson 3 (1); Rasheed Wallace 3 (1); Chris Webber 3 (1); Ruben Patterson 3; Horace Grant 3 (1); Tracy McGrady 3 (1); Ben Wallace 2; Charles Oakley 2 (1); Kurt Thomas 2 (1); Vince Carter 2 (1); David Wesley 2; Travis Best 2 (1); Bobby Jackson 2 (1); Shawn Bradley 1; Marcus Camby 1; Ervin Johnson 1; Dirk Nowitzki 1; Dale Davis 1; Tyrone Hill 1; Allan Houston 1; Eddie Jones 1; John Stockton 1; Sam Cassell 1; Darrell Armstrong 1; Steve Francis 1; Andre Miller 1. That means some coach, somewhere, considered Francis among the top 4 guard defenders in the league. Further proving the theory that the best defense is a good offense. And almost as satisfying: Pippen didn't make either team. In an unrelated note, Philadelphia's entire starting 5 got votes (Snow, Iverson, Lynch, Hill, Mutumbo) ------------------ "That's been a lifelong dream of mine." -Vince Carter, after laying it in on a breakaway, much to the Vancouver crowd's displeasure.
I bet the coach was Nelson from the Mavs. He and Steve seem to be pretty good friends. Remember, Steve did send him a get well-card while he was out. Maybe this was a little appreciation back to Stevie. ------------------
Wow - Bruce Bowen made the second team? I don't question his defense, but these awards are almost never given to guys with as little name recognition as he has. Maybe they figured that he must be doing something right to shoot 36% from the field and still play alot of minutes for Miami. On a similar note, Bullard was again robbed. The coaches just don't see the night in, night out intensity that this guy brings on the defensive end. ------------------ I'm about to boldly go where many men have gone before.
I thought Steve's defense improved a lot this year. He was 8th in the league in steals per game (better than Jones). Certainly he has a lot of improving to do and continually gets schooled by some of the better PG's out there (but he also schools them too, so who knows) ------------------ I hope, when they die, cartoon characters have to answer for their sins.
Yeah I noticed that , A guy like Bruce Bowen gets the award while solid defenders like Tmac and Eddie Jones get snubbed . One vote is better than none . ------------------ Lisa : Dad did you know The Chinese use the same word for Crisis as they do for Opportunity? Homer: Yes! Crisis-tunity!
Sam Cassel and Ervin Johnson both got a vote for the team. Ridiculous. Ain't no one on that team that deserved the honor. Ditto for Vince Carter. ------------------ Founder and President of the Houston Homers Club(HHC) - Are you a homer? Join now! The Rockets will be NBA champions. Believe.
Did anyone think that maybe Rudy voted for Steve, Lenny for Vince, etc? ------------------ "Of course, thats just my opinion, I could be wrong" -- Dennis Miller [This message has been edited by Hydra (edited May 02, 2001).]
Bruce Bowen deserves to be on the all defense team. Whenever I watch him play he's always playing physical defense. He is the type of Sf this team needs. I remember once when he shut out vince carter. ------------------
Bowen better play defense, because the boy sure as hell has no offense. ------------------ My company declared Chapter 11 bankruptcy, then agreed to merge with another company, which also declared for Chapter 11 bankruptcy... should I be worried?
Be very worried D0D ------------------ "Facts do not cease to exist because they are ignored."- (Aldous Huxley)
Nice post Bob, probably Best Main Forum post of the off season so far ------------------ "Repression never did me any harm (I finally ceased to include "stop masturbating" as one of my guilt ridden New Year's resolutions, but that's a different topic)." Achebe - programmer by day, Mrs Palmers Husband by night
