SF ON AI: SF and AI pick your poison. They are both excellent guards, glowing in the NBA spotlight, but I'd take Iverson anyday. Does anybody, think that Steve Francis is really better than Iverson, right now? ------------------ We will be perfect in every aspect of the game.
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHA. NXTIII, I see you have made it back to clutchcity.net after being kicked off 3 times. Try not to get kicked off this time ok. This is so like you to compare francis to iverson, AGAIN. ------------------
Francis ripped up Iverson when they faced each other.If I recollect correctly,Allen hurt himself handling Steve.If Stevie was allowed to play the two all the time and jack up 30 shots a game he would lead the league in scoring.He'd be at the line all the time.He's a more consistent shooter IMO while AI is streaky.You live and die with him.I give Allen his props,he's been amazing...damn good defensive player too. In the long run,I'd rather have Francis who WILL WIN TITLES.Perhaps we'll see ya down the road in the finals.I'm not taking anything away from Philly or Allen I just think Stevie's game will be more condusive to success with other superstars.....a guy who will lead this team and because of his tutelage as a point guard,no matter if he plays the 1 or the 2 later will make better decisions on the court.Iverson has to be top dog.....as good as he is,Francis will tone down his game for the sake of the other go to guys when needed...He and Kobe,such high ceilings.I see Francis,Kobe,and Ray Allen in the upper echelon...and of course Iverson.Right now Iverson is given free reign while Francis is reigned in a bit...tough to compare. OMT...Allen was a jack(and some say he still is)for quite awhile.It's taken him a bit to develop the consistency...raise that shooting %..He's improved,but Stevie's upside is higher...and that's scary. ------------------ If I had my life to live over,I would have liked to have ended up as a sportswriter - Richard M. Nixon,1969
Right now Iverson is the best player in the game. So no, Steve is not as good as Iverson. Not right now However, he does have the potential to be as good or better in a few years. Oh, and Iverson is told to take that many shots. It frees up his team mates for offensive rebounds! ------------------ "Rarely is the question asked: Is our children learning how to put food on their family while being put to death." It's back... Protrolls.com!
In two to three years Francis will be Ave. 25-28ppg but Fransis alredey play's better defence then Iverson I think if you look at scoring alone Iverson is better If you look at the complete game Francis is better if I had to choose between them I would take Francis ------------------
sorry didn't mean to post twice ------------------ [This message has been edited by ROCKETS1972 (edited June 13, 2001).] [This message has been edited by ROCKETS1972 (edited June 13, 2001).]
Hahahaha, that has got to be the most homeristic idea seen in quite awhile. Since when did Francis even play D? That's one area of the game where Francis is definitely not superior. AI is an SG, Francis is a PG so naturally, AI has better usually SG-related skills where Francis has better PG-related skills, but right now, AI by a mile. ------------------
Francis' individual defense isn't bad, in fact its above average. But its almost impossible to be a good defender on the perimeter if you don't have anyone backing you up down low, which Francis doesn't have. BTW, I'd take Francis over Iverson. ------------------ "I always thought it was something that went around my house" - World B. Free on Defence [This message has been edited by Puedlfor (edited June 13, 2001).]
I also have jumped on the Francis Iverson comparison band wagon a few times but right now they are totally different players! Francis is an all around point guard and can do everything,not saying he is perfect because even Jordan and Dream were not perfect but I truly see Francis being better than Iverson and it wont be long,all Francis needs is a few more winning seasons and to see what he can do when it comes playoff time next year! Iverson is also an all around player but his primary objective is to score as Francis takes what the defense gives him.If its not the outside shot then he probablyy has some open lanes,if not then he can get are other offensive weapons into the game(which he usually does in the 1st quarter)then when the D has to react to them then he looks for his shot. I like Iverson but Francis is the manand I would take Steve over Allen right now,maybe because Im from Houston Or maybe its because I love Francis that much!!! ------------------ Sam Clancy...Sam Clancy...Sam Clancy...Sam Clancy...Sam Clancy
Only someone who's seen Francis play as much as we have would choose him over Iverson. I doubt many people outside of Houston would pick him. A better comparison for Francis would be Gary Payton, the best damn PG in the game. Steve could learn alot from the Glove. ------------------ "Oh No..." -Bill Walton in 97 just before Stockton's buzzer beater
AI is better than Stevie, but potentially (I hate that word reminds me of Cato!) stevie is a more physically gifted athlete. Where AI will always have an advantage is his mental toughness. AI has been a warrior the last 2 years in the playoffs and has had constant criticism since he joined the NBA. Nothing against Stevies mental toughness but AI is special. But at the same time it takes a special situation for AI to win. How many coaches can deal with AI every day (late for practices, just his attitude) have teammates that don't care if he takes 40 shats a game, and are happy to play D, rebound and occassionaly get a shot or two offensively. But AI is special and he is in a perfect situation for him.
But its almost impossible to be a good defender on the perimeter if you don't have anyone backing you up down low, which Francis doesn't have. EXACTLY!!! I have repeated this over and over again. The guards in the NBA today are so quick, so lethal off the dribble that it is very difficult to stop the penetration when you are playing someone one on one. People always try and say "if only Francis, Carter, etc. played the defense that Kobe did they could be just as great." Well, isolated one on one, they are all actually very similar defensively. It's just players like Kobe can be more aggressive going for steals and holding their man tightly because if the guard penetrates by him, he has the human eraser in Shaq to make up for any mistakes Kobe might make. If you were to put Steve on a team with Mutombo or Shaq in the middle, you'd be surprised how the perceptions of Steve's defense would change immediately. When you call a perimeter player a weak or strong on ball defender, you must take into consideration the big men they have behind them. That is a huge factor that most everyone overlooks. ------------------ "Basketball players win basketball games. Athletes win track meets."-- Shane Battier Draftsource.net-- the premier source for draft info. Profiles, rankings, mock drafts, and more! [This message has been edited by The Cat (edited June 13, 2001).]
You know, if Cato had any heart Francis' defense wouldn't be an issue just like Iverson's isn't an issue. ------------------ "I'm not here to protect my reputation, I'm here to make my reputation! Mama Barkley didn't raise no chumps!" - Charles Barkley
The part of Steve's game that is overlooked, even in Houston, is his help defense. As mentioned, his defense is quite good as an individual, but he has that buzzing bee outlook on the team defensive scheme. He is everywhere the ball is. He is like Hakeem, only at the point. He always looks to help his fellow defender whenever possible. To ask if Iverson is a better player while the Sixers are in the Finals and the Rockets havebeen home watching for quite some time is silly. Iverson is called the best player in the league right now, though I would argue that Shaq and Kobe ar better. Steve, though, is a team player FIRST, and an individual second. He always looks to pass in the first, then starts to shoot if he can't get his mates going. The strength of Steve's game is his attitude. Last summer he said he was going to become a better jump shooter. Mission accomplished. This summer he is going to work on becoming the best defender in the league. I believe he can do it because I believe you can do anything you want if you want it bad enough. Steve has the heart of a champion. He will be the MVP one day. TRG ------------------ <A HREF="http://www.TheRocketGuy.com " TARGET=_blank>http://www.TheRocketGuy.com </A> "You try to improve and do better. It's a journey, not just the destination." - Hakeem Olajuwon
Actually, my high school coach told me it is virtually impossible to guard anyone one-on-one. You either need help, hope he misses his jumper, or hope you're Hakeem Olajuwon. ------------------ "norm, would you like to buy an indian scalp ? This deal isn't gonna make or break me Norm, so don't jerk me around." Harry Carey "Norm, if I had a mohawk scalp, I wouldn't be sitting here talking to you."
Stevie is my favorite player, by Iverson is a better player by far. Also, Iverson is only a little less than 2 years older than Steve, so Steve's upside isn't nearly as high as Kobe or Mcgrady, who both are 22. I really don't know who will be the better player in the long run. I am not sure how much better Steve will develop to be, although I am pretty sure he will be a mvp candidate in 2 years like Iverson was this year. ------------------ "See they pick and pick and pick. Man they picked me to death." -Steve Francis on the Utah Jazz
LOL I knew there was some reasoning behind his madness. ------------------ President of the Committee to prevent the drafting of Gerald Wallace "You know who the best rebounder in Chicago is? The trainer chasing all of Wallace's missed shots."------NBAtalk
