The Three J's also had that championship shine on them in Dallas... honestly, there's no way of predicting that kind of success. It took MJ YEARS to win his first championship. If anyone remembers, after the Rockets reached the finals in Hakeem's rookie year, they were dubbed the team of the future, and many happy returns were predicted. Uhhh... they didn't win for another 10 years or so. I agree w/you that I wouldn't trade Francis for any other PG in the league. I probably would for Vince Carter, Tim Duncan, or Kevin Garnett... maybe Lamar Odom.
RR- You bring up an interesting point. At this point I wouldn't trade him for any other PG, but on a more important note: How many teams would trade their franchise player? Main point here is teams that think they have even an outside chance of winning a championship won't trade their franchise (unless there are outside influences- like the guy is in trouble, reputation, etc). I bet even if we even tried to trade Francis for Iverson, the sixers would turn us down, because they think Iverson is a great player and could lead them to a championship, the same way we view Francis. My point is different players look different to different teams. Iverson seems like a punk for the sixers, but I bet the sixers love him, just like Francis probably seems like a baby for demanding a trade, even though we love him.
Haven, I don't know about Odom. Have you noticed that his name is now BEHIND Brand and Francis in the ROY his buzz is just not out there, anymore but I honestly have not seen him play enough to make that trade. Garnett and Duncan . . I can give you that. I like KG's personality it is the most like Francises. Rocket River
Of course, I don't think any of those trades would happen... completely hypothetical. Odom isn't playing as well as Francis now, but I think he has a higher ceiling. He's incredibly versatile, and more raw.
It's simple. I would not trade him for any other Point Guard in the League. The only other PG that is close is J.Kidd I like watching Francis more than JK GPayton is ok even great but I like Francis's Age, Athleticism, and future. [Age being Key] GP *is* great Leads me to I-verson and ME-Bury Please neither of these are anything close to Francis. For a team that is they will get their numbers [and I stress THEIR numbers] but championship is not on them. Francis has that Champion shine on him. [Maybury - if he had stayed at Minnesota I would have been down with him. But to let ego disrupt a BRIGHT future is ridiculous] Rocket River