For having enough sack to be in the dunk contest tommorow. Yes, he is not the best dunker in the NBA, after VC, and maybe Kobe. But, he is the one big name in the lackluster contest. For various reasons, injuries, laziness, or fear of being labled as a "dunker", Kobe, McGrady, and VC didn't enter. Yet, the NBA seems to be marketing guys who don't WANT to be marketed by the NBA. They only want to be marketed by their shoe endorser who pay them millions. I think Francis should be applauded for being "the one" who will go against the grain and participate.
I'm rooting for Steve Francis to win the Slam Dunk Contest and to give a great performance at the All Star Game.
"I think Francis should be applauded for being "the one" who will go against the grain and participate." SO why didn't he participate in it last year if he is such a great guy? Stevie is in the contest for one reason and one reason only...himself. Don't even try to convince yourself he is doing it for the fans, for the league, for the poor children of the world or any other honorable reason. He is doing it tpo prote himself plain and simple. Don't get me wrong I am glad he is doing it, but don't praisse him for being a great guy for doing it either.
I believe he had ankle problems and was resting them. Wouldn't be a good scene to show up with out all your hops would it?
Well Vince has jumper's knee and that was the reasons behind him not taking part either year. Thats what he just reagravated the other day and now is out at least 10 days. Oh and guess what he was doing when he hurt it ? Anyways, before the injury, Vince didn't really want to participate in the Allstar game itself, he wanted to rest and get ready for the 2nd half of the season. Remember the NBA isn't paying their salaries, its the teams and their fans, personally I'd rather see a healthy Vince Carter on the court at the ACC, then him in the dunk contest. It isn't a popular decision, but the players show a lot of respect towards their employers, and never would I be upset over that. This 'little' awards have no merit on players in the 4th+ years, they want to win more games, go further in the playoffs and challange, perhaps win, championships. Anything that may sway them from that path isn't worth it in their minds. Am I upset that only 4 players are in the dunk contest ? Not at all, afterall its just an hourly event.
If it's only an hour event... what is the problem in taking part? These are world class athletes we are talking about here, not average people. Resting sounds a lame excuse to me, getting paid millions of dollars not to just win, but entertain at the same time! That is the main reason for people watching sports right? For entertainment? Well, give us the best entertainment we can have. We do pay big money for it...
If francis loses the slam dunk contest in the final minutes, there will be Cato Sucks!! , Get a Freaking Clue about Basketball Mobley!! , Another Reason Rudy should be Fired , and It's Time We Traded Walt and KT for .... threads posted right after
What does that have to do with what kidrock said. It doesnt matter who or what Steve is doing it for, but he is doing it. That's the point. The NBA should applaud him or try to market him for actually doing in, regardless of his reasons. Will a good performance this weekend help Francis? Definitely. But he isnt going to become the superstar Allen Iverson became last year or Carter became the year before as a result of the game. Those guys went ahead and took their teams to the playoffs. Marbury, if you remember, had a great all star weekend last year, but didn teven make the team this year and is pretty much known lead-wide as a highly gifted potential star superstar waiting to happen. I believe Francis is even closer to the cusp of stardom, but until the team turns it around and does something in the playoffs, he wont get superstar recognition, regardless of what happens in the dunk contest or the All-Star game.
Say what you will about Steve's motives, but I think he just has that old school mentality. He likes the comp and loves the game. What's wrong with that. I think the league should appreciate the fact that there still are players who are enthusiastic about the game. Jordan and Dominque entered the contest more than once and gave great shows, why can't these current stars? BTW I wouldn't sell Steve short on not stacking up against kobe or vince. He did come real close his rookie year against vinsanity.
Of course Stevie wants to do it for self accolades as well. I think 99% of the entrants in the history of the contest did it for themselves. What you fail to realize that is regardless of the motives, the fans want to see the best guys out there. The dunk contest has been killed because of superstars who don't want any part of it. Don't tell me you consider VC to be the most selfless guy around. This has nothing to do with motive, and everything to do with helping a game that is in dire need of some aide. Francis has shown that he does not mind being marketed by the NBA. Yet, the NBA would rather market guys who don't want to be marketed. This is the reason why fans and people in general b**** and moan about athletes being pampered jerks. They are marketing the a-holes who don't want to help promote the game that make them millions. If the NBA realized that they should promote guys who are willing to be ambassador for the NBA, the NBA would be 3 times more popular than it is now. Olajuwon might not have been the most vocal guy, but he was the type of guy who would have helped shed NBA's "bad boy" image.
I think it was the first year that Steve did the contest he was also in the Rookie Game, and another non-playing non spotlight type event. It was 'stay in school' type thing. I can't remember what. Anyway he got in late the night before and had to be up at 6:00 and then had a full day of All-Star activities. This is all from an interview done with Steve during that weekend. Anyway Steve said it was all part of being a star in the league, and it's paying your dues. Yes Steve is doing it to promote himself, but the point is that he's willing to put in the work to do it. So I do think he can recieve accolades for it.
You know what would put the big players into next year's dunk contest? If MJ said: "Nah, they probably couldn't do the things me and Wilkins did." And THEN, Steve sendds out his own motivating invitation to the event. I think Carter, Kobe, Mcgrady and Francis can put on a real 4-man show.
