Beyond the Superbowl thing, the turnovers, and not having taken the Rockets anywhere all of these years, there's one more reason I want to get rid of Steve Francis: Every time Steve draws a foul going to the basket, instead of trying to make a straight layup for a potential 3-point play, he tries some funky underhand reverse scoop that goes in only about 1 out of 5 times. These scoops, when he hits them, are spectacular shots that play on Sportscenter, halftime shows, you name it. But, in reality, they're low percentage shots and he'd do better to try a plain vanilla layup after the contact is made. This, and his carelessness with the ball during his dribbling exercises, lead me to conclude that Steve would rather look good than win - I'm sure he'd like to do both if possible and I'm sure he plays hard with that goal in mind, but the reality is that he wants highlights more than wins
I'm convinced that Steve already has the heart of a champion. The problem is that too often he has the brain of a Clipper.
Steve's game has suffered the most this season with the addition of JVG as the teams coach. His game is to penetrate and score and use that skill to set up his jumper off the dribble. Steve does turn the ball over but thats becasue he handles the ball more than anyone on the team, he has to run the offense, set his teammates up , and has to find a way to get points for himself. Steve is having his worst season as a pro and his along with Yao is leading this team to the playoffs. Yes, Steve and Yao are leading them, not only Yao. and you pathetic Yao only fans have to admit it. As far Steve trying to get into the Sportscenter highlights, that point is a joke. He makes to circus lay ups because he has to. I honestly don't think he cares about that crap anymore. He is in his 6th year and just wants to win. if he cared about that, you would see him wave Yao out off the post and try to take someone like Kobe, Garnett, T-mac to the bucket and posterize them. Even he, himself has said that he doesn't dunk that much anymore so he can just lay it up and secure the two points. Next time Steve breaks open for an esay break away basket watch how he will just lay it up. Like I said before, Steve is the heart and soul of the team and if Yao played with the heart, intensity,emotion, and effort that Steve plays with every night then Yao would truley be an unstopable force.
Steve is shooting 39% (29% from 3PT land), and he dishes it out 6 times versus turning it over 3.3 times. Argue with that. No matter what hell you have on your shoulders, that is unaccepteable. Unless he is putting the slamps on every single PG he plays, there's no way I can accept those numbers.
Luol Deng is indeed a black Chinese. The first I presume. He is the second best Chinese player behond Yao Michael Ming.
From ESPN NBA Insider Chad Ford's March 25th chat session (http://proxy.espn.go.com/chat/chatESPN?event_id=4995): JR (Newark, DE): With the Bulls more than likely having a top 3 pick in the draft, what do you see are the main area of concern? Chad Ford: Not having a top 3 pick anymore. I think they'll try to package the pick, along with Tyson Chandler and one big salary for a veteran. Kirk Hinrich and Eddy Curry look like they're the two young guys the team is going to build around. I think Paxson wants everyone else out. One caveat, if the Bulls have a chance to get Emeka Okafor, they might keep the pick. Okafor is mature beyond his years. Let's say the Bulls draw the 3rd pick in the lotto. It sounds like they'd give us the pick and Chandler for Francis, as long as we took back some other contract. The pick could be used for the highest point guard on the draft board, someone even better than Hinrich. Actually, this draft is so deep that you could trade Chicago's pick down for a lower lotto pick & a solid role player, then still draft a top point guard.
Not a bad idea, drafting a PG with the Bulls' pick. I don't see them trading it, however, if it's still at #3. I think at #3 they keep it and take Deng, since they need a SF anyway. I'm not wild about drafting a PG because PGs generally need time to adjust, but prying Heinrich from the Bulls is very difficult. Still, if there's a PG in the lotto that looks to have the skills we need, I'd be in favor of it. I think the Bulls would jump on a below Top-3 pick + Chandler trade for Franchise, especially if they get to dump a contract in the process.
