I think this one will settle the debate that Fran understands (or even likes) basketball. He really is racking up some stupid **** this post season. In today's column where he's praising Shaq and everything, he mentions how West ranks Shaq among all-time centers: "even" ... what is up with "even?" Uh, Fran, that was not a direct quote, and you are a columnist (a Houston columnist, no less). You are allowed to mention other centers. So, who are the two best centers of all time, again, Frannie boy??? What do you think Bob Finn*?
I think he was referring to the fact that Jerry is an ex-Laker, and those two guys (Chamberlain and Jabbar) are ex-Lakers, and more importantly...ex-Lakers who played with Jerry West. He's not trying to say that those are definitly the best centers of all time, he's explaining that from West's point of view, it would be amazing to hold Shaq with the same esteem that he holds those other two guys. I'm sure Fran still likes Hakeem...hell, i'm sure West likes Hakeem...but must every basketball article which makes reference to ex-champions/ex-great players refer to Houston's own? For people who criticize when the Chronicle is a little too biased, its funny when others complain about the lack of Houston respect. Trust me...when there is a reason to mention it, they'll write about it. Until then, let's hope that the Rockets can get anywhere close to where these teams are right now...then they'll deserve some press.
Nick, yeah I was thinking the same thing, then thought no Boston journalist would ever write that. Bill Russell would always be mentioned, no matter what they thought Jerry West meant. Maybe Frannie boy just misquoted himself. hehe...anyhow, I love these Texas Football fans who write about basketball only when they have to. I'm obsessed with pointing out how Texas journalist do not write about basketball with the respect the Midwest journalist give it, nor with the respect that they give football. Wait until the NHL comes to Houston and diehard hockey fans from Canada get a load of Fran's stupidity on sports that he doesn't like...then you'll understand where a diehard basketball fan--who knows a diehard/knowledgeable basketball journalist when he sees one--is coming from.
I think you went overboard HP, we know Fran sucks, and this thread sucks too. I see nothing wrong with what Fran said.
Oski, Do you think an LA journalist would ever write, "Former Rockets general manager Carroll Dawson-- the man who drafted Ming in 2002-- has gone so far as to call Ming the greatest center ever to play the game, ranking him ahead of even Hakeem and Moses. " Remember, Moses demolished Kareem, and would have sweated so much on Wilt and Shaq, that they'd be Fo Fo Fo, as well. How do you think that reads. Anyhow, I just LOOOVE giving Fran the business whether proper or not. Fran is a dork, and he never should have wrote, "best center in the game" in the same sentence as the word "even" in the same sentence as avoiding the best of all time. Fran's a dork. And I will always point it out. I love it!
Did West play with Jabbar? I think that if Russell did not have the scorers that he played with on his team, he would have put up closer to "Wilt-like" numbers. From what I've seen the man is a defensive machine.
My bad...he actually coached him his first 3 years with the Lakers. Probably made him an even better judge of how good that guy was.
Not to get in the way of a good anti-Fran rant but, if memory serves, Fran is a past president of the PBWAA and has been covering the NBA since his days in Philly back when Dr. J was there. I think he came to the Chronicle from there. Not sure I'd label him a "Texas football fan" given that resume.
