I know you don't mean to put Rafer in the list,but you over emphasize stats to prove your points at times.
Steve Francis was 100x better than Kenny Smith... He has gone from being overrated, to ridiculously underrated when he was in his prime...
not really. Kenny is the most underrated PG on the Rockets. When did Kenny ever make stupid 24 second shot clock violations in the playoffs? When did Kenny ever have a bad shot selection? When did Kenny not pass the ball in the paint when his big man is open? What about Kenny's free throws or 3 point shooting? What about Kenny's running of the offense? Everyone here just thinks Kenny played only one good playoff game and only had 2 decent seasons for the Rockets. Some of us remember how awesome he was at the beginning. Let me refresh your memory, or maybe this is the FIRST TIME you've heard of it. Paper: HOUSTON CHRONICLE Date: SUN 03/22/1992 Section: Sports Page: 6 Edition: 2 STAR Pair of big wins in the spotlight Staff Rockets 106, Jazz 97 Kenny Smith, staring at point guard extraordinaire John Stockton all night, turned in one of his best performances of the season to lead the Rockets to a victory over the Utah Jazz at The Summit. The Rockets soared to a 25-point lead in the second quarter, then held their composure in the second half for their seventh consecutive home win. They are 10-4 under Rudy Tomjanovich and won for the first time against Utah after three losses by an average of 20 points this season. And it was largely Smith's doing. He carved through the Jazz for 28 points and had nine assists. He hit 10 of 11 free throws, the most trips he has taken to the line since Nov. 16. "It's getting to where Kenny has got to be mentioned with some of the top point guards in the league," Tomjanovich said. "He's been playing extremely well for us and he's finishing plays now." Smith mutilated the Jazz on the pick-and-roll play, slicing through the defense for several uncontested drives to the basket. And when a defender was there, Smith wasn't afraid to initiate the contact and draw the foul. Buck Johnson hit a crucial 18-foot jumper from the wing on the play that sealed the win. "They wore me out tonight," Smith said. "That's the most I've gotten to look at the rim and make decisions on the drive in a long time." Back a mere 40 games or so, Smith swallowed hard and said he didn't mind taking the blame during a particularly bad portion of the Rockets' season. But he expected the praise to be equal when -- if? -- the good times rolled. Well, the good times are rolling. The Rockets' win firmed up their grip on a Western Conference playoff spot. For Utah, it was its second defeat in two nights, after a loss to San Antonio on Saturday. The Jazz's lead over the Spurs in the Midwest Division is a modest two games. Utah's comeback was possible because Karl Malone and Stockton picked the Jazz up by themselves. Malone, after just six points in the first half, scored 30 in the second. Stockton, battling Smith all night, had 25 points and 16 assists. But it wasn't enough. "We got into our pick-and-roll game late and that was the difference," Tomjanovich said. "Kenny did a great job using all the options." The Jazz had chipped away at the Rockets' huge lead, which was 55-30 late in the second quarter. Utah went on a 51-30 run that carried into the early portion of the fourth quarter. Malone, who had an 18-point third quarter, scored seven of the Jazz's points and Stockton hit a jumper to cap an 11-point surge early in the final period. The Rockets were up by only four with 1:30 to go after Malone's layup pulled the Jazz within 98-94. That's when the pick-and-roll best served the Rockets. They had worked the play for two baskets to keep Utah from creeping closer than four points. But with the pressure on, Smith worked the play to perfection. He used Otis Thorpe's pick and slashed into the paint. With defenders closing from all sides, he passed to Johnson, who was on the wing and wide-open. His jumper swished with 1:10 to go. "I'm open on the jumper a lot of times because of the way the defenses rotate," Johnson said. "All I have to do is make the shots. "Kenny did a good job of looking for me in the corner." Smith said the play, on which there are several options, worked to perfection. "There's going to be something open on that play," he said. "Once you execute the pick-and-roll, all you have to do is look around and see what's there." Often, it was Smith's lane to the basket, but Johnson did his part by sticking the jumpers. After the play, the Jazz faltered, with Malone being called for an offensive foul and Stockton missing a 3-pointer. Meanwhile, the Rockets made three of four free throws to move ahead 103-94 with less than a minute to play. In all, it was a game in which the Rockets were able to prove to the Jazz, and to themselves, that they can compete with the Midwest Division leaders. And given the possibility these teams could meet in the first round of the playoffs, any boost in confidence is valuable. Even more so for Smith, who has toiled in the shadow of point guards like Stockton for the past few seasons.
steve francis only did some spectacular plays, to be on sportscenter. people like cassell, kenny smith, were more consistent. I didnt see calvin playing, I cant tell very well, but if he had his jersey retired, that talks great about him. cassell, and kenny smith, were key pieces to the championships brooks is making room to be on this list with lowry. and maloney is better than alston.
#6 in the 87 draft. That's right! <object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/H6pdmBjDUjA&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/H6pdmBjDUjA&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>
1. He never had the ball at the end of the clock to begin with, for good reason too... Steve was the best offense we had on the floor. He turned the ball over sometimes, but most of the time he would score or get to the line. He was great at finding shooters on drive and kicks as well. He was our best and NUMBER 1 option on offense. Kenny never had the responsibility as the go to guy, for good reason... 2. Never, much like Chuck Hayes or Shane Battier... He did not have to create shots for himself and others like Steve had to. 3. Never, Kenny had the best Center of all time to pass it down to. Steve had Kelvin Cato, Mo Taylor, Pig Miller, and the king of charmin at the time, Yao Ming. Yao dropped more passes from Cat and Steve than anyone. He was not the developed Yao we saw a bit later... 4. So what? What about David Wesleys 3's and free throw shooting... 5. Running of the offense? Pffffff... Hakeem ran the offense... Who ended games? (Hint:It wasn't Kenny...) PLAYOFFS: Steve Francis per game Points:20 Assists:8 Rebounds:8 2-Point %:43 3-Point %:41 T/O:4 Per:20 Steve was great in the playoffs. Do you think Kenny Smith could have ever led his team in Points, Rebounds and Assists? Steve would have wiped the floor with Kenny Smith... He was a MUCH more dynamic player than Kenny Smith, and a legit all-star, and a legit closer...
Yes. Steve was not consistent when he led our team in Points, Rebounds and assists.... Such a player only wanted to be on sportscenter... Rebounding makes the highlight reel doesn't it? Steve poured his heart, hustle and sweat into the Rockets...
He had more potential than Kenny, but Kenny had the better and steadier career. Sure he had Dream, but there were other point guards who had Dream too but weren't as dependable. Who would you rather have shoot a wide open shot ? Kenny or Steve? Who was the smarter PG? Kenny or Steve? The offense was built around Steve, when Steve ACTUALLY had to play Point Guard, he sucked.
Point Guard point guard (basketball) A guard specializing in handling the ball, distributing it to the other players and generally running the team's offense. Shooting Guard A guard specializing in shooting from outside, particular from beyond the three-point line. Kenny, was a true point guard... Steve was a true shooting guard... Steve was just put in the role as a point guard since Mobley was at the 2. Steve was not a pg... Point Guards PASS first and SHOOT second.. That's not Steve, nor was it Cassell or Murphy. As much as a lot of you may hate to admit it... Kenny ran the offense, was the offense geared to get the ball to Hakeem and to the open man.. Yes and Kenny did that. Just about everybody on this board complained last season that Brooks would not get Yao the ball, since that was his job.. So in that aspect Kenny did his job by getting Hakeem the ball. Steve, had a one mind track.. SCORE.. SCORE... SCORE... A pg has to get everyone involved in the game, not just your friend.. Hint Hint...
So should Penny Hardaway right? There's a reason why we got rid of Steve Francis in his 'prime' and there's a reason why he couldn't play well outside Rudy T's offense. And Steve got raped by Gary Payton, Sam Cassell, etc on defense too. I was at many games where Steve got blown up.
Excellent post, people have a distorted view of Kenny's NBA career because he's an announcer on TNT. people forget or even don't know how he was during his ENTIRE CAREER with the Rockets. That's from day 1, Kenny and OT destroying the freaking league with the pick and roll! I love Steve, but I would do the Tmac trade again, despite all the bs now.
Penny Hardaway did wipe the floor with Kenny Smith. Outside Rudy T's offense? He was fantastic in Orlando... And he was great for us in our first year of Gundy. He stepped up his defense, and carried us to the playoffs...Where he played fantastic...
If all Steve wanted to do was score, how did he rack up 6-8 assists a game? How did Yao and Cat and Jim Jackson and Mo Taylor get in double figures every night? Steve was not a selfish player, and you have to understand, he was by no means playing with elite talent either... Who do you suggest he should have gotten involved aside from Yao and Cat? They were scrubs!!!
Really? I remember Penny get swept <object width="560" height="340"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/u1gC9UIGqOs&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/u1gC9UIGqOs&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="560" height="340"></embed></object>
