Is franchise worth a #1

if they from DUKE - they overrated

only Brand was not overrate .. and be from duke.

Rocket River

 

Ok...I am new to the BBS but I find this very amusing. You can't possibly tell me that Jason Williams is a better player than Steve Francis. First of all, Steve would have plenty more assists if his teammates didn't dribble so much. It's impossible to compare him (assists wise anyway) to Andre Miller because they play from two different playbooks. The Cavs are centered around a playbook where spacing and motion are imperative. You have high flying wing players cutting through the lane at all times, and players with little to no moves around the basket area use screens to free up other players for the easy pass. The Rockets play Isolation basketball. Always have...espescially when Olajuwon was in his prime. The 2 biggest differences between then and now (besides the fact that Olajuwon was a low post player and Francis is a perimeter player) are:
1) Spacing and Movement: Do you think that Mario Elie is better than Cuttino Mobley talent-wise? No...I think Luigi's brother was willing to do more movement without the ball than Cat, though and that is where the difference is. The Rockets are young and spacing/movement is something that has to be taught. You can't blame the point guard for not passing to a player if that player isn't trying to make himself the easiest target possible. That is the difference between Mario and Cat, Robert Horry and Eddie Griffin, and winning and losing.
2) Experience: What made the difference in the 1995 Finals between Hakeem and Shaq. Hakeem had years of learning...of making mistakes. Years of reading defenses and offenses to the point where figuring out the answer came as easy (at times) as Elementary addition. Chcago wasn't winning after they drafted Money. He had to learn, too. Experience is what transformed Shaq into the Victorious B.I.G., Kobe Bryant from a bench player with amazing athleticism into the Air Apparent, Tracy McGrady from Vince's Cousin to one of the most versatile, dangerous, and exciting players in the L today. The list goes on. You have to remember...Stevie is in his third year, not the 13th. Everyone looks at the awesome plays he makes and say that is hard to believe he is only in his 3rd year, but that fact slips out of the equation when people discuss his shortcomings...turnovers, lack of passing (which I really believe he is getting better at...or maybe you think Cato got himself into double digits in the scoring column?), and his untimely technicals. Just wait and watch this already good looking catapillar transform into a stunning butterfly.
I am sorry for such a long message but I had to say something. Everyone is quick to rush into something (Jason Williams for Steve Francis?? You really didn't think that one through did you?) then get mad when it blows up in their face. As great a team Portland has had in the past they will forever live in NBA trivia hell for drafting Sam Bowie ahead of Michael Jordan...or even Charles Barkley. Don't be dumb...Jason Williams is going to be a great player and I am going to enjoy watching him rip guys up in the L, but Franchise is better than a lot of people at his position and now he is gaining that killer instinct at the end of games (just ask John Stockton, who will coming back to Houston during the off-season to collect the rest of his face). He has a ways to go, but he will get there and I am going to get this out of the way before the victory parade...I told you so

 

Aren't you forgetting someone? What about Grant Hill?

 

Blue, care to join our baseball or basketball sim leagues? Check the Fantasy Forum. There are a couple of teams left in each.

 

To answer the question: few players can come into the NBA and play well right away. Jason Williams will prob'ly be good his first year. But I don't think he's worth a Steve Francis. I did once speculate about trading Steve but then realized we wouldn't be so dumb to move out our franchise player the year before we need to put butts into the new arena.

 

I think the basketball fantasy league would be cool...which one, or does it matter? You have to forgive me...I'm new at this