Time to revisit the question that I posed at the beginning of the season- How is Steve Francis' game different from last season and has he improved/declined in any areas? ------------------
He's improved. ------------------ Forget LHutz, Bob Rainey is by far the coolest poster in cc.net history!
Only thing he hasn't done better this year than last year is dunk on centers (Sabonis,White) Dampier was the first one of the season I believe. ------------------ President of the Steve Francis, Jamal Crawford,Larry Hughes, and Charles Woodson fan club.
http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/story.hts/sports/bk/bkn/845515 In this article they talk about some new Francis commercial where he jumps into the rafters, then dunks on Motumbo with his armpit in the rim. I sure as hell haven't seen this commercial. Have any of yall? By the way, The New Jersey recap of the game took a shot at him, saying that Marbury was running rings around him before he came out of the game with what the rockets called a "knee injury." Cheap shot, considering he did a pretty damn good job on him in the first half before the knee injury. ------------------
I think that article may have been sarcastic... not sure though. ------------------ "norm, would you like to buy an indian scalp ? This deal isn't gonna make or break me Norm, so don't jerk me around." Harry Carey "Norm, if I had a mohawk scalp, I wouldn't be sitting here talking to you."
I saw steve at the galleria today- didn't talk to him, but he seems to be doing alright. Oh, to answer the question, he's definitely improved since last year. -elie17 ------------------ Oh.. so this is how you add a signature huh? coo coo.
OK, we seem to have digressed a bit. My question was on whether Steve Francis has improved from last season, and if so, in which areas as he improved? ------------------
Can we expand this discussion a little like sf asked? Maybe we can start by asking what you thought he did last year that needed improvement? What were his weaknesses/faults.
I haven't done any research (sorry), but I believe his assist/turnover ratio must be better. Even if not, he seems much more under control this year than last. That's a good thing, right? ------------------ When I die, I want to be reincarnated as that chair in the Britney Spears video.
He's less turnover prone, or at least the TO's he's getting aren't the stupid ones like carrying or travelling. He sees the court better, and even though his assists numbers aren't up, it's pretty clear he feels where his teammates are better. I didn't expect his assist numbers to go up in this offense anyways. His shot and decision making have improved. I remember him getting into personal battles alot more last year, and he has learned just to play his game. I still wish he looked for his shot more. Part of it may be the coach's decision for him not be in the offense at times, and part of it may be that he is shying away from the offense. His defense has improved greatly. I see a more consistent effort out there from him. Once he gets smarter, and learns how to cheat like these other points, he won't get burned like he often times does. I think both our guards are mislabeled as bad defenders.IMO,they're pretty damn good defenders. Sometimes they get outsized, like when we run the 3 guard set with Mooch, Cat, and Steve. He and Shandon are the best team defenders in my eyes. No question he's improved his rebounding. ------------------
I'm kind of surprised that his assist numbers aren't up from last year. He has a better supporting cast along with the added experience. Does anybody remember last season when he had a stretch of like 4 double digit assist games. ESPN predicted that he would average 20 points and 10 assists. I'm beginning to do doubt that he will ever be any more than a decent passer, in contrast to Jason Kidd, who is one of the top 5 passers in NBA history. My top 5 passers- 1)Magic Johnson 2)John Stockton 3)Bob Cousy 4)Larry Bird 5)Jason Kidd I hope Francis' passing will continue to improve, but I doubt that he will pass better than Sam Cassell or Nick Van Exel-two good, but not great passers. ------------------
Well, apparently he's now with Beyonce instead of Chamique Holdsclaw. Here's to further improvement! Go Steve! ------------------ The season's halfway over...and I still need that keg of Pepto-Bismol.
I heard the last time he was at the Galleria he was with Beyonce (hot chick from Destiny Child). ------------------ President of the Steve Francis, Jamal Crawford,Larry Hughes, and Charles Woodson fan club.
