After reading the debate between SamFisher and DavidS, I went back to read Chad Ford's original comment. Here it is: First of all, I don't understand how Chad Ford thinks that he's an overrated PG just because he thinks things are about to change. He needs to have a more solid basis for calling Francis overrated. I honestly think that Francis and Yao can mesh, sort of like Kobe/Shaq, Magic/Kareem, even Clyde/Hakeem, etc. That being said: I think that Stevie can make his teammates better. Last year, with the arrival of Yao, everyone jumped on Stevie's ass about making people better, even though most of those people were probably happy with his 20 6 6 the year before. Yao was still a rookie, not ready for the grind of the NBA. He had Cuttino as his only other scoring option (for the most part) and he liked to create his own shot, not spot up. Halfway through the season, he had Posey to run with, but once again, not a spot up shooter, more of a slasher who likes to create himself. With the additions we've made, SF should get more assist chances. He's no Kidd or Stockton, but he should become a Gary Payton type player. I even think SF's defense will improve vastly over the next 3 years. All you Francis haters or bashers or whatever you want to call yourself, be patient. DavidS, you've admitted that Rudy's system was just iso and SF going wild on his own. With discipline, he should become the PG you want him to be. Just my .02.
if you mean by Gary Payton type player, one of the best to ever play, then i won't be holding my breath.
What's interesting is that SF was compared to him early on, I think college and maybe rookie year. I think he has the "potential" to be a poor man's GP.
i like steve, i just don't like the way he plays. the explosiveness, the heart, the effort is impressive but i want him to figure out how to make all his teammates better, to lead them better, to let actions speak louder than words.
Gary Payton in his 5th season: 20.6 ppg, 7.1 apg, 2.5 tpg Oh, and he was one of the best defenders ever, in the history of the NBA. Payton's best season: 24.2 ppg, 8.9 apg, and still a low 2.7 tpg. And still one of the best defenders. "Gary Payton like" is a lot to live up to. Kevin Johnson would be a easier goal. But even KJ was an excellent passer (also scorer).
Note to egn: Do you think I really believe Kelvin Cato is better than Jermaine O'Neal? Or maybe there was another purpose in that exercise? Read the post over again and turn this thing on this time! SF
Ray Allen is not underrated, I think that spot should have gone to the cat. Speaking of overrated, the cat is a miserable component to this team. He is a cancer. He makes the dumbest decisions and should have been tradeda long time ago. Watch, van gundy won't put up with him being an idiot all the time. Pike is gonna be the starting 2 by years end.
