The style of play between the two players is very similar. Remember this though. Steve is trying to readjust his style of play to accomodate Yao and the new system JVG is putting in. Also, Wade is not the only "PG" on his team. While Mark Jackson did come in mid season, Wade had Rafer Alston to help run the team. In addition to that, Lamar Odom often plays the "point foward" role while defenses still must respect Eddie Jones. This combination opens things up a bit for Wade. Steve on the other hand, primarily handles the role of PG while his team stands around and waits for something to happen. It is tough to run an offense with no movement and it leads to dribbling around. It could be argued that the lack of movement is due to Steve's dribbling, but then we have a "chicken or the egg" agruement that could go on forever. My point in all this aimless rambling is that Steve is still an excellent player, but different situations play a huge factor in how a players performance is percieved.
My last (maybe) post regarding 3. If Steve is constantly bashed by every talk show host, every columnist, every coach, every sports anchor, every analyst and almost every BBS contributer as some people here say, IS IT POSSIBLE...... (Again)....IS IT POSSIBLE that maybe they're NOT all wrong, that they're NOT losers, they're NOT basketball idiots, they're NOT biased (And for the kicker) and they're NOT Steve Haters? IS IT POSSIBLE?? I mean even remotely... could there be some truth to the fact that Steve belongs elsewhere? No, I'm not going to use Lamar Odom, Artest, Jason Williams, etc...as examples. I'm just wondering if it's possible that maybe WE'RE right? Is it possible that we think the team would be BETTER going in a new direction? Is it POSSIBLE that we're not Steve HATERS because we want to try something else? Maybe every talk show host, every columnist, every coach, every sports anchor, every analyst and almost every BBS contributer IS wrong....but then again, maybe we're not???!! Sincerely, Jack Handy
In 5 games against the Lakers, Francis had a ho-hum 1.73 assist/turnover ratio (38:22). Wade, in 4 games against Indiana has had a terrible 1.1 ratio (22:20). I don't understand why people think Francis can't be our playmaker but then want to take someone else's pg-wannabe shooting guard to fill the role. Barry? Wade? They are shooting guards. They will not make the Rockets offense run any smoother than Francis.
Steve just doesn't fit on this team. Unless we can get a tallish point guard, using, maybe, Cat as trade bait...or actually going over the salary cap...
In defense of Wade, I don't think you can look at just his assist/turnover ratio and determine how smoothly the offense runs. A lot of Steve supporters have made this point, and I agree. If Steve and Wade are primary scorers then they will have more turnovers and fewer assists. I'm not one to parrot that one stat as evidence that Steve sucks. But if you look at the TEAM turnovers: - The Rockets had over 20 turnovers in 2 out 5 playoff games. - The Heat have had 0 games with 20 turnovers in 11 games. - The Rockets had more turnovers than assists in those 2 games. -The Heat have had more turnovers than assists 3 times, and one was a 30 point win. I am willing to bet that Wade has better rapport with teammates, can run a fast break, gets the offense set up early, and can run a basic pick and roll properly. Not every guard with poor asst-turnover ratios has the Steve Francis disease.
I haven't seen a lot of Wade's game. My limited impression is that he is the second coming of Steve Francis, for better or for worse.
I feel the same way. I think he’ll end up being about as good as Steve is. Seems like there is a new Steve Francis in the league every season. This season it’s Dwayne Wade. Last season it was Gilbert Arenas and Jamaal Crawford. The season before that it was Tony Parker and Jason Terry. This is why I question why it is that so many view Steve as this special “one of a kind” talent that cannot be touched.
Couldn't disagree with you more, Steve does not have wingmen like on Miami. We play a totally different system, and despite what some of you may say, they are not a half-court team. You don't see them dumping it in to Brian Grant, they give it to their wing players to make plays, Steve no longer has that freedom.
sup123 hit it rite. wade is just like steve francis 4 seasons ago......some ppl just cant see that......its scary how much he reminds me of steve.....
wade is tall as mobely, dont know why some are saying he is undersized, so he can play SG. Dont know why they have him at the point.
Wade can be better than Francis, the poise and instinct he's shown as a rookie is remarkable. Averaging 21.5 pts in thw semi finals at 46% shooting is no slouch.
Why the hell are there so many threads about BLAH is better than SF? I am getting tired of them. Is there a point to saying stuff like, Wade better than SF? Or Parker...etc.
We ask too much of our players. Look at today's Spurs vs Lakers. Parker is playing like ****, and Duncan has done his best Yao impersonation.
