Ok...most of you should know me from the Francis/2004 games thread. I ain't here to cause no trouble...I'm just here to talk bball. Aside from the obvious personality and character issues---what difference is there between Iverson and Francis? I guess I'm asking about their games... Theres probably a 10 point gap in scoring...but I think 'wink' could close that if he wanted to (was selfish enough). And that lack of selfishness makes him pass the ball too... But would you swap out Francis for Ivy if Ivy didn't bring the baggage that he does, or do you see an upside to Francis? ------------------
From an unbiased standpoint, I still wouldn't swap Steve for allen. We don't know how Steve's sophomore year will be, but I think his rookie #'s are close to Allens' (not sure, may be bettter). I think Allen may be a hair quicker (it's too close to call) and is more likely to go on a hot streak (as often as he shoots). Steve is more explosive, and I feel a better passer. Steve is also bigger and taller, so he may develop a better post game than Allen eventually. He will also be able to defend the post better. I think Steve is a little more versatile also. So, I would rather have Steve than iverson, no doubt about it. ------------------ "Only Hakeem Olajuwon is a better athlete." Dick Versace, when referring to Antonio McDyess before the draft.
Iverson is the more explosive scorer right now, but Steve could be every bit as effective on the offensive end if he wanted to. I would prefer Steve go down the path he is headed and be a more well rounded player, scoring, passing, rebounding, breaking down the "D", and playing some hard-nosed "D" himself. He is going to be a great PG. Iverson is a shooter, hence the reason he has been moved to the 2. I take Steve. ------------------ There is a very fine line between "hobby" and "mental illness."
Steve Francis is a good kid who wants to make the players around him better. Iverson is a punk, with punk friends, who only cares about his scoring average. HE TAKES HORRIBLE SHOTS!! I have no doubt that Steve could score 30 a game if he were a selfish jerk. HANDS DOWN WINNER- Steve Francis ------------------ What a slam dunk!!
TB3, I think you're being a little hard on AI. None of us really know him and it's hard to judge him by the images we see. I know to some perception is reality but I wonder how most of us would handle being convicted of assault if someone was trying to harm a family member of ours. He feels that he's been betrayed by the system that's meant to protect us. Anyway outside that, AI is a helluva bball player as well as Steve. If I had to choose based solely on talent, I think its hard to choose between AI and Steve. I think if Philly had anyone else who could score, I think you'ld see a different AI. Steve is the bomb no doubt, but he's surrounded by offensive talent, thus it makes his job that much easier. If you were to put AI on this team I think he'd be alot like Steve. I just wish he was the same player now like he was at G-Town. No one questioned his game or his behavior because John Thompson was in control and didn't allow that mess from his players. ------------------
I enjoy watching Iverson, but want it to be on another team. I think AI is headed for a sorted NBA career and Steve Francis is headed to be one of the top superstars supported by the league front office. Francis promotes one thing that Iverson does not and it will allow his team to win quicker and stay togather longer. "CHEMISTRY" ------------------
Tb3 is Right on the money. Me my self and Iverson is just a gunner, has no idea how to win consistently. You don't win in the NBA without passing the ball, Jordan didn't, Hakeem didn't, none of them won until they passed to their teamates. On that note alone, Steve is LIGHT years ahead of Iverson. DaDakota ------------------ All you MO-FO's better stop ripping off my lines !!
Rookie year stats Iverson (96-97): 23.5 PPG, 7.5 APG, 4.1 RPG, 4.4 TurnoversPG (Man that was a great rookie year, ironically, his play has gone down since then, if you ask me) Payton (90-91): 7.2 PPG, 6.4 APG, 3.0 RPG, 2.2 TurnoverPGS Jason Kidd (94-95): 11.7 PPG, 7.7 APG, 5.4 RPG, 3.2 TurnoversPG Stephon Marbury (96-97): 15.8 PPG, 7.8 APG, 2.7 RPG, 3.1 TurnoversPG Francis (99-00): 18 PPG, 6.6 APG, 5.3 RPG, 4.0 TurnoversPG Francis' rookie numbers certainly do hold up. The onyl question is his attitude. You cant just throw Iverson's "baggage" out the window cause that is what makes him not wanted by many people. Will Francis develop a Iverson or Marbury attitude, or will he develope a Jason Kidd/Gary Payton, Kobe Bryant attitude? If the latter is the case, which he has so far shown, then Francis will undoubtedly be a better player that Iverson. Trivia: According to NBA.com, Allen Iverson is only one of two players in the NBA whose last name starts with an I. Without looking it up, who is the other player? ------------------ Remember.... You are not really drunk until you must hold on to the grass to keep from falling off the earth.
I used to feel the same way about Iverson until last year's playoffs when he played with numerous injuries. That will always get you points in my book. ------------------ Cheerleaders are just dancers who've gone r****ded. visit www.swirve.com
If I am right, it is Z. Ilguska (sp?) of the Cleveland Cavaliers. ------------------ "...Do you hear 'em? They're everywhere!!! AAAHHH!!!" That's what the other teams will be saying after being shellshocked by Steve Francis and Co.
OOO, OOOOO, I know!! Zadruinis Ilgalskis...or however the hell you spell his name! ------------------ Too often, we lose sight of life's simple pleasures. Remember, when someone annoys you it takes 42 muscles in your face to frown, but it only takes 4 muscles to extend your arm and pimp-slap the mother****** upside the head!
Extra points to whoever can spell Ilgauskas correctly. ------------------ Rockets Draft Obligations Summary http://www.gaffordstudios.cjb.net/
Would you rather have an immensely talented player that loves his teammates, gets along with the coach and is never late to practice. Or would you rather have another talented player who quarrels for a whole offseason with his coach and front office and apologizes in advance for vulgar rap lyrics before they have been released. If you look at it from Larry Brown's point of view, he would pull the trigger on a trade like that so fast it would put both Francis' and Iverson's crossovers to shame
i don't realy think it is fair to campare the 2 this is only steve's 2nd year in the nba i know that we will see alot more of steve to come and rember that there is alot more to b-ball than scoring. i will be happy with 19 or so pts a game if he gets his asst to t.o % in good standing i would like to see4 15-20 pts 10 ore more ast and some more steals ------------------ just give me a rocket game and a ice cold beer
Damn, just a hair faster than me FranchiseCat! Anyway, to get back on topic, I'd definitely have to go with Francis. He is more well rounded, unlike Iverson who I feel is a more of a one dimensional player. I have no doubt Steve could average 30-32ppg if he took 25-35 spg. Luckily he knows that is not what is best for his success as well as that of the team. ------------------ Too often, we lose sight of life's simple pleasures. Remember, when someone annoys you it takes 42 muscles in your face to frown, but it only takes 4 muscles to extend your arm and pimp-slap the mother****** upside the head!
All I remember about Iverson's rookie season is towards the end of the season they started feeding him the ball on every play. He scored 40+ points in 5 or 6 games in a row I think because he was putting up 40 shots. Meanwhile his team kept losing - that was a bad Philly team. In his defense, the team is set up for Iverson to be THE scoring option. That's how Larry Brown wants it - they've surrounded the Answer with role players who are great defenders, rebounders, and passers, but not scorers (with the exception of Kukoc, who has yet to really fit in). Snow, Ratliff, T Hill, Lynch - these aren't guys that will score much. And the team has made the playoffs with this formula. Still I'd prefer Franchise. He's a much less one-diminsional player, along with a better attitude. ------------------
Iverson has ben in the league now for a while and he has not been able to attract talent that wants to play with him in Philly. The way I see it is that Francis is going to be able to get major talent attracted to Houston in the future just like most other super stars have done in the league, and just like Hakeem did for the Rockets. Plain and simple other players already would love to play with Francis,they know that he will make everybody else around him better, while AI may not be able to offer this. Most are not sure if Iverson would be a good team player in order for them to play with AI. With his "I" mentality!!!! ------------------ "Instinctly u recognize things,now take advantage of what u just recognized!".. Hakeem..
I think Francis will be the better player and the bigger winner between the two. I also think Iverson may well score more in his career but that Steve will be the one with the MVP's and the rings. Oh and uh the only other guy I could think of was Zydrunas Ilgauscas if thats how you spell the dude besides Sabonis from Lithuania that will be backing up Mihm for the Cavs if he ever plays again ------------------ ***Elie... we don't need no stinkin Elie Mobley's takin over ROCKETS IN 2000 BABY***
