Ok. What can a simple dunk contest do for a player, a team, a city? Well, let me tell you. On the bus today, there were a group of young lads RAVING about the duel between Vince and Stevie. I pretended that I was listening to my walkman as they continued to speak about how Stevie seemed to "hang" in the air. How he "seemed to completely sit down in mid air." My guess was that they were talking about that dunk located on the front of this excellent website. One went on to say that Francis has "mad skillz" and that "when he signs with Nike, they are "gettin those kicks." When I got to work, the local Jazzhole actually commented on how "athletic" our team is becoming and "how they wish they had Shandon back" because he was the only athletic guy they had. Around the job so far this morning, the buzz is all about the Francis/Carter show. All say that Carter won it. But all also agree that Francis would of won any other year, that Francis will win it all next year, and that Francis will be starting the all-star game next year because he opened the eyes of many fans with his show. My point? Well, there are 2. 1) Francis on Saturday has, in my opinion, cemented his spot as an all-star if he continues to do what he is presently doing. If he gets BETTER, I will go as far as to say that he will be starting next year on the team. No way you can hold this guy back. 2) I think that its a thing of beauty the way the Rockets lucked out landing this guy. With Dream on the way out, we have another franchise player to carry the team for the next 15 years. How many teams can do that? The Spurs have the same luxury. I can't think of anyone else that has done that. Which brings up the arena thingy. I have not doubt that we absolutely need to keep the team in Houston. I cannot believe that there is even a chance of that not happening. Money? Well, Steve will generate millions to the city just on selling out the new arena every game. On top of that, the publicity that Olajuwon brought with his kind of play will be enhanced with Steve. Dream revolutionized his position. And I can say with all confidence that Steve will do the same for his. I have never seen a point guard with his skills all rolled into one. A little Isaiah here. A little Cousy there. A little Stockton here. A little Payton there. And combine that with athletic ability of Jordan and boom, you have a the point guard of the future. Too much too soon? You might be right. But that is how I felt after seeing Steve this weekend play and perform among the very best. Suffice to say that we need to keep this guy at all cost. And we need to keep him happy. And most of all, PLEAAAZE don't move this team. Can you imagine: "NOW STARTING FOR THE EAST ALL-STARS. AT THE POINT, FROM MARYLAND. IN HIS 3RD ALL-STAR APPEARANCE FOR THE LOUISVILLE TIGERS, NUMBER 3, STEEEEEEVE FRANCIS!!! I just got the willies. ------------------ Live Rocketball. Breathe Rocketball. Die with Rocketball.
Almu, I completely agree with you here. No question Steve Francis will be a starter in the All-Star game next season. With the moves/lotterypicks Rudy will make to improve the team this offseason, we will actually be winning and now everyone knows to keep on eye on Steve Francis. To NBA fans, the game is about flash. Fans like what's exciting. In terms of marketing, Jason Williams' jersey was the best seller last season. I think the only thing holding back the Francis #3, is that most people don't like walking around in pajamas. If Les could put together a better uniform design, he could have a best seller on his hands.
