What will it Take for Franchise and Cat to get into the Game? Honestly, If his foot is decent. . . I think Rice may have an outside shot as well. With Kidd gone, who stops the 'chise? Francis has 19ppg, 5apg,5rpg and 1steal - he could be in mobley has 22ppg, 3apg,5rpg and 2 steals - tougher job lot of good Shooting GUard in the East. Rice had to have 18ppg, 5apg,8rpg and a Steal - Small Forward in the west are not overly strong [KG gonne be PF or SF this year? Kobe Sg or Sf?] Who do you see as their Competition? PG -Payton [who maybe moved] Stockton [falling Stock] SG - Finley, Kobe, SF - Dirk, Rocket River BTW - Hakeem may make it to the All Star again in the east but would not in the West
You have not listed Marbury, who not only was an All-Star last season, but made the game-winning shots for the East. I don't know if your not mentioning him was just an oversight, but I believe that far too many on this board have a false perception of Marbury being this ultra-selfish punk who can't win games - much like the perception many outside Houston have of Francis. I would not underestimate him or Phoenix.
Rocket River I know their stats are not mind-boggling, but you don't consider Stoudamire, Nash or Brandon worthy of this "competition" for PG?
The difference between Francis and Marbury, of course, is that Francis starred on a successful, winning club that just barely missed the playoffs due to the depth of the West. Marbury has played on a winning ballclub once in his five seasons in the league, back when he was the 3rd option in Minnesota. In his 3 seasons in Jersey, the Nets have yet to finish within 10 games of the playoffs. This is a NJ team that won 46 games the year before they traded for Stephon. Still, I'd bet that he scores 25 ppg, drops 8 apg, and manages to make the all-star squad. Pity that his team will be a half-dozen games out of the playoff race at that point.
Pippendagimp said: You may be right about what most people think on this site, but I don't think of it as an unfair judgement. I believe the kid has some great talent but he is a SERIOUS IDIOT for leaving KG in Minnesota. They could be the Lakers main challenge the last couple of years. And remember they would only need a decent center and probably would still have had Gugliotta. My .02
[WHAT? They must be thinking of some other "Steve Francis"] You know, after that rookie-sophomore game during all-star break, when Steve clowned Khalid El-Amin by dribbling the ball off his head.....2ppl here in NY told me he was no better than Rafer Alston and another guy said he needs to go back to college!!!
As far as NJ being a losing team w/ Marbury....since his arrival they have had a rash of major injuries (Jayson W., Kittles, K. Martin, Lucious H.), teams have learned how to shut down Van Horn since his promising rookie year, and Byron Scott couldn't coach a YMCA team to the playoffs. Living in NY, I have seen so many games where Marbury had to score in order to keep his team in the game b/c no else on that team could produce. I still remember the big games Marbury had in the playoffs w/ Minnesota and I'm convinced he will keep Phoenix a winner. And he IS and idiot for having left the TWolves for NJ, but I guess everyone does stupid things in life at some point. With a healty Penny and Googs, I can easiily see Phoenix being ahead of us in the standings come mid-season and Marbury getting the nod over Francis by the coaches for the All-Star bench.
Gator - The all Star is a bit Flash and a bit substance Nash and Brandon just don't have the flash that Franchise does and Stoudamire won't have the substabce [stats] not in portland As for Marbury . . .I forgot him But as someone stated it will come to team records He will have stats [probably better than 'chise] but phoenix will NOT be better with him than with Kidd I firmly beleive their record will not be as good. People like Marion, Hardaway and Googs [when have the last two been healthy for more than 2 months?] will miss Kidd ALSO do not underestimate the loss of Cliff Robinson . . .I like Cliff. . consistant is his name. SO I think the Rockets will have a better record and 'chise will have more flash .. . Marbury and chise will be close Rocket River
Alot depends on our record. I am assuming none of the 3 make it as a starter. If we are only a .500 team (or slightly above) we will be happy to have 1. If we do take off and are a top 3-4 team in the West and are playing an exciting brand of basketball I think we can possibly get 2 (Stevi & Cat). Personally I don't think Rice is anywhere near an all-star forward in the West.
actually, he would have preferred to play in NY to be near his home, but a deal was improbable. NJ was the next best thing.
haven't been on here in a while.......but......what's up w/ " 'chise"? hehe it sounds like chives to me. anyhow, marbury left twolves cuz he wanted $$ and to be da man. that's what he got in NJ. i bet he's kickin himself everytime the last game of the season is over. i think francis will make the team. stoudamire (and portland) must have to have a monster year for him to even be considered. nash needs to put up better numbers. the guy i think y'all are forgetting is gary payton. he's almost always been a lock for a spot on the all star team. eventhough he's been a bigger a$$ of late, the guy puts up numbers. and about mobley and rice, i dont think so. their positions are crowded w/ talented players.
Marbury is one of the premier point guards in the league- he should blow up in as a Sun. Remember Matt Maloney trying to guard him?? That was so depressing... We are so lucky to have Steve Francis-I remind myself of '97 when we had a very good Rockets team that lost in 6 games to Utah--What if we had had Francis then?? I among others are so proud to have Francis that we like to sing his praises...
Payton will make it for sure, barring his trade to the East. Marbury and Steve are very solid bets in the West if they are healthy and they take 3 PGs in total (I think they usually do). Stockton keeps getting in on legend more than performance, though this year taking him over Stevie or Marbury would make people look so incredibly biased they will resist their temptation. No, those guys have almost zero chance. Stoudimare, zero chance, he isn't among the best half of PGs in the league. Brandon, like Mike Bibby, is solid, but unspectacular. Brandon or Stevie did deserve to make it 2 years ago but he didn't make it then (Stockton giving it), and now with Stevie further progressed and Marbury back to the West, forget it. Nash is good too, but he isn't in Stevie, Payton or Marbury's class.
I have a lot of doubt that any of our starters will make the all-star team, even though Francis deserves to go in front of Payton. Glen Rice is just horrible. He may barely be one of the better small forwards in the west, that's if he gets some better knees. Cat is a good player, but with Kobe, and Finley ahead in stats and being on a better team,he isn't going. Now Francis would be going, but that was before we got sucky Glen Rice, who will be hurting his stats. Don't expect Francis to score 20 ppg anymore. Marbury will start because he will be on a better team with Penny recovering and getting back, it should help them a bit, and even if Marbury and Francis have similiar stats and their team is just as good, Marbury we go just because he is more well known, has already been to an all-star game, and has been in the league longer. So Francis going will be doubtful thanx to mr. Rice.
I've watched Marbury as a Net and he was a selfish punk that couldn't win games. Maybe it'll be better as a Sun but when some of those guys miss two shots in a row, watch out. Regardless, he will certainly challenge for the starting spot as an All-Star because of rep and his scoring talent.
i am pretty sure none of our guys will get in the big game however i will go on to state that steve, ubless he had a breakout year is less likely than marbury. scoring 19 isnt too special, and neither is 6 AST. now if he pulled off closer to 8-9. sure he is in, and with all our scoring options he should be able to get that many. Damn with just Cat alone he should be getting like 10!! our best shot is cuttino. he averaged more that 22pts, and closer to 6 rbs as a starter it is highly possible for him to end the season averaging 23-24 with 6+rbs, and 3+ast and 1.5stl sure it will be in 45mpg, but he will put up all star numbers this season. its just a matter of how the team does, and how much cat is percived as a leader, or as a star by the media. after all the media ultimately chooses
Those NY guys know what they're talking about - Francis is no better than Rafer alright!!! I think Francis does have a bit of a reputation as a punk - there's still a lot of people who think he's a complainer because he ruined the Vancouver franchise - not me, but that's what I hear!
