you know that the numbers steve is putting up are the worst numbers in his carrer. Hes definatly going to bounce back to his 20+ 6+ 6+ game.
Amazing, isn't it? LJ has done the little things to learn the game at an early age. That's why I like his game.
Even though Lebron is better than 90 percent of the guards out there, his presence and performance in the league should bother Francis, considering Francis' performance, and considering all the excuses Francis Fans used to explain his shortcomings the past four years. That Steve was still young. Well, Lebron is younger than Steve was when coming into the league, and performing as well, and often times better, as a point guard this year. Add on top of that the fact that Lebron is playing on a less talented team and is not only young but 18-young with no college experience whatsoever and bone-crushing media-pressure. Both Francis and Lebron are uber-talented and skilled, but two things separate these two players: Unselfishness and BB IQ. Lebron, without even thinking, will give up the ball on a two on one fast break. His opening game, he stole the ball, was all by himself, and could have EASILY gotten an easy slam, but he stopped, turned, and waited. A good two seconds of waiting, holding the ball up, and then tossing it up to the very selfish Ricky Davis for the fast-break slam. Other times, on a fast break, he dribbles and draws the defender to him, and without even thinking, gives it to the now open man for the easy lay-up--and it was obvious that Lebron knew from the start of the fast break that his teammate had the best option of scoring if he drew away the defender. Whereas, Steve bumbles THREE on ONE fast breaks, or like one time when there was a two-on-one fast break and Steve had the ball and looked like he really wanted to score and really believed he would score and then realized too late, very late, that it wasn't going to happen and gave the ball up to Moochie who didn't expect the pass because the defender wasn't properly drawn away--and then missed the easy lay up. It seems like 9 times out of 10, Lebron gets more satisfaction from giving out a good solid assist than scoring. While people can say that it's ridiculous to compare these two because Lebron is better than a lot of people, I say it isn't at all. They both play point guard. They both play for teams that went to the lottery last year. They both have talent, but like I said. What makes Lebron distinct from Francis is that, albeit having a Jordan like vertical and slam dunk prowess, Lebron is extremely unselfish and prizes assist stats more than scoring stats: the trademark value of a reliable point guard. If you want to bring up Allen Iverson, remember that Iverson isn't a one-guard. He's a two guard. Though, his body fits the profile of the prototype point guard, he's a scorer, a good scorer, and too good a scorer to be assigned the one-spot. So he plays the 2-spot, where his strengths don't conflict with the team. don't get rid of Francis. Keep him on the team. But try him at the two. Just try him as a shooting guard, and see if his strengths will no longer go against the flow but with the flow. I think for all the vaunted criticism that Steve is getting, the Rockets would be mighty STUPID to trade Steve without even trying and seeing how he might do as a shooting guard. If you can try a back-up center as a power-forward, and be very pleased with the results, you can certainly try a scoring-oriented point-guard as a shooting guard and see how that pans out. Right now, I think the Rockets having nothing to lose by trying Steve out at the two. Just try it. TRY IT JUST ONCE, ROCKETS--that might shut up all the people bashing Steve's role on the team. And Steve can still be the leader at the two. Jordan never played the one-spot, and he was very much the leader of his team.
I think what everyone is forgetting here is that Steve is finally trying to adjust his game to what we and JVG expect of him. He's had 4 years of bad habits, and now he's gotta start thinking about everything instead of just playing naturally. It's no wonder that he's struggled this year, and he will continue to struggle until he finds the right balance that he is searching for.
I agree. But I think what tannersearle78 is trying to say is what many posters (SF Bashers) have been saying for the last 3 years. I think it's pretty much known that Francis isn't a good point guard. He's a excellent lead guard, or all-around-guard. But not PG. Regarding SF changing his game. Yes. He has. He's listening to JVG. That's why I'm not surprised of last nights game. I mean, I'm just soooo used to this type of sloppy play that it doesn't matter anymore. All I do is "sigh...." We kinda fall back into old habits sometimes. But I think that SF is getting a lesson in team basketball this year, that he should have gotten in High School or college (at least more time at UM). That's why it's soooo important that you learn the team game early! Not while in the NBA after 4 or 5 years. About the game. Another thing I noticed? Yao can't jump compared to guys like AK47, Hunter of Orlando, and Bosh. HE struggles against these type of players. They are just too quick and active for him. Yao still need to work on his leg (yes) strength. His explosiveness is not there yet.
if Francis played in place of Le Bron with Cavs current line up I think he would be putting up higher numbers. But, in the long run I think Le Bron will probably be a better player.
Cavs are headed for the lottery no matter how great Lebron is. However, I think Francis would do a lot better than him in Cleveland. Afterall "The Franchise" has proven how great he is at leading his team to the lottery every year.
Seriously, do you have to go all the way to LeBron to find a better PG than Francis? Just check Jazz's three no-name guards! Enough said!
Lebron is ALREADY a better player than francis, not only physically but mentally. Did LeBron collapse under the media scrutiny? The hummer, the throwback jerseys? No. Did Steve collapse from an on-court scuffle from a scrub 2nd year player? Yes.
Good point. I was merely mentioning Lebron because he's so young with zero experience. And is'nt St. Vincent St. Mary a private school?? LOl.
How about tj ford as a pg? What do you think of T.J. Ford? Don't see many people mentioning or talking about him. What are his strengths and weaknesses sofar early in the season?
Check out this poll on Rockets.com http://www.nba.com/rockets/index.html?nav=page What about the Rockets are you most thankful for this holiday season? The continued development of Yao 42% Coach Van Gundy's attention to defense 27% The Rockets ranking among the Western Conference leaders 25% The solid guard play of Francis and Mobley 4% Houston's new home (Toyota Center) 2% Seems like the guard tandem is at an all time low. Believe it or not, I think the debut of Lebron James brought out all the flaws with Steve's passing game. Lebron's high assists total and unselfish game at only the age of 18 discounted Steve's excuse of being young and need time to learn. In four years, Steve is still unable to pass and help the team in what Lebron could do on just day 1 of his nba career. From the poll above with 5000 votes, obviously the city of Houston and fans worldwide are running out of patience with this backcourt. Unfortunately, Steve may try to change his game but he will never succeed as he lacks court vision and passing doesn't come easy for him. I say move him the 2 guard position now and test it out. If that doesn't work, ship him out. 5 years is waaaay too long time.
The difference is, once Lebron learns how to shoot, he'll be a 30ppg player, on top of being a 10 assist/10reb threat. The complete package.
Yeah, but you say "ONCE" Lebron learns to shoot like its a given thing. What were they saying Francis would achieve when we got him. Has he lived up to expectations?
