Did someone say TRADE! Houston trades: PG Steve Francis (17.1 ppg, 5.7 rpg, 5.7 apg in 39.3 minutes) SF Bostjan Nachbar (3.2 ppg, 1.3 rpg, 0.7 apg in 11.1 minutes) Houston receives: PF Clifford Robinson (11.3 ppg, 4.4 rpg, 2.9 apg in 33.8 minutes) SF Mike Dunleavy (12.3 ppg, 6.6 rpg, 3.0 apg in 31.6 minutes) PG Speedy Claxton (7.6 ppg, 2.2 rpg, 3.5 apg in 22.3 minutes) Change in team outlook: +10.9 ppg, +6.2 rpg, and +3.0 apg. Golden State trades: PF Clifford Robinson (11.3 ppg, 4.4 rpg, 2.9 apg in 33.8 minutes) SF Mike Dunleavy (12.3 ppg, 6.6 rpg, 3.0 apg in 31.6 minutes) PG Speedy Claxton (7.6 ppg, 2.2 rpg, 3.5 apg in 22.3 minutes) Golden State receives: PG Steve Francis (17.1 ppg, 5.7 rpg, 5.7 apg in 36 games) SF Bostjan Nachbar (3.2 ppg, 1.3 rpg, 0.7 apg in 23 games) Change in team outlook: -10.9 ppg, -6.2 rpg, and -3.0 apg. TRADE ACCEPTED
http://www.nypost.com/sports/44872.htm JAX REUNITED WITH VAN GUNDY By PETER VECSEY -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- January 14, 2004 -- Former Knicks point guard Mark Jackson will be reunited with Jeff Van Gundy and Patrick Ewing in Houston, The Post has learned. Jackson, 38, will work out for the Rockets tomorrow and, if all goes well, debut Saturday against Minnesota. The Rockets lack a true point guard and have been using Steve Francis in that role. Jackson, who ranks second behind John Stockton in career assists with 10,215, will likely serve as a backup. The 6-3 point guard, who was mentioned as a possible replacement for Mike Jarvis at his alma mater, St. John's, last played for the Jazz in 2002-03.
Layup = 2 points Slam = 2 points I think this would be a good lesson for Steve. Easy baskets count just like highlight reel baskets.
Back up point guard!!! Some of you people act like we're bringing in Jackson to build the franchise around. He's going to be a back up point guard, people. If he's an upgrade from Moochie, then how is this not a good move?
And what makes you believe that SF will pay any heed to his "advice"? I mean, if he's not listening now to JVG, why should he start listening to someone like Mark Jackson?
Any player who's considered "a cancer" in the Utah locker room is okay by me. A backup PG is not the difference maker between ending up in the lottery and making it to the Finals (unless your PG is injury-prone). Some of you really need to chill. In case you haven't noticed, Steve is averaging 39.5 min/game (which actually is his lowest since 1999-00). That doesn't leave a lot of minutes for anyone else. Francis will ultimately decide the outcome of a game, not his backup. I know a lot of you expect and demand to have a 3 PG rotation of Jason Kidd, Baron Davis, and Steve Francis, but face it, it's not going to happen. Mark Jackson brings a little leadership and a lot of passing, something this team needs. However, I expect him to make more of a difference OFF the court than ON it, by way of mentoring and hopefully pulling the team together. His on-court contributions? Puh-leaze. Who cares? Francis plays roughly 82% of the entire game. Also, taking away last year's dismal Utah season (in which he only played 17.9 min/game, a definite career low), in the one FULL year that Mark Jackson played for Van Gundy in NYC (2000-01), Jackson averaged career lows in points, assists, steals, FG %, and FT % (in 27.1 min/game). This leads me to believe that MJ was brought in to help teach basic fundamentals and provide leadership... not play. Wilks is the REAL backup.
Good! That way he can release on the fast break when his man goes by him and then when Cato blocks the layup attempt, he can throw an outlet pass to a point guard who is breaking to the other end, not clogging the paint trying to get boards.
Agree with Vesceysux (his post and his handle) and others who support the move. Jackson was a "cancer" in Utah? Whatever. Stockton is not exactly driven snow, and those two oldtimes didn't want to see the young guys emerge. Jackson's been a good presence at every other team. Even if he plays 12 minutes a game, mark that up for 3 or 4 nice assists and an average of less than one turnover. I'm very glad we passed on Ward and are giving Jackson a chance. Some of you people are just going to whine at every little move unless we sign Shaq, Tracy McGrady, and Lebron. It gets a little old, even for a GARM lurker like myself.
This move makes me very happy. I always liked Mark Jackson. He'll bring veteran experience, smart playmaking skills, and hopefully leadership to the team. Exactly what we need.
[Some of you people act like we're bringing in Jackson to build the franchise around. He's going to be a back up point guard, people. If he's an upgrade from Moochie, then how is this not a good move? [/B][/QUOTE] I agree, anybody is better than Mooch......
A pearl of wisedom in a wave of extreme viewpoints. What's wrong with seeing how this team functions with a true PG for 8-12 mpg? Even at 38, Jackson's passing skills are light years beyond Moochie. If nothing else, it will demonstrate whether Francis would be a bust at the 2, gives us potentially 3 good post entry passers on the floor at one time (JJax, Taylor, MJax), someone that knows how to run a break properly. And Jackson can still post up 90% of the 2nd string PG's in the league. Just my opinion, but I think Jackson makes fronting Yao a bit more difficult because he will use (return passes from) other players to get good passing angles. Bibby doesn't have more assist because the Kings share the ball. Vlade and Brad Miller combine for 10 assists/g.
The good thing about signing Jackson is by having the player with the 2nd most assists ever to throw to Yao, if Yao doesn turn into a monster maybe some of the YOF can finally admit it's Yao and not the guards. Maybe we can put this whole thing to rest.
