In Nellie's defense, I just saw his postgame conference on NBA.com TV and he said that Stevie was really suffering from his migraines ("You can tell by the way he shot that free throw that something wasn't right") and that he purposely put Stevie back out there to get him on the score sheet. Nellie also said, as has been mentioned here, that they might have pinpointed the source of Stevie's headaches -- some kind of ear infection. All in all, the best thing about the game was the Philly fans booing Kobe.
Finalsbound give me a break. Who had the most assists out of all the players tonight. Guess who? You are bitter because Francis is ill and couldn't play effectively.
There must have been 10 times Steve was there to take the ball up court and Duncan would pass it to Kobe (ahem... shooting guard) or just take it up himself. Steve didn't do well, but then again, he never had the chance. May the conspiracy continue....
Why is Francis an all-star? This guy is terrible! Banks in a free throw and a please make a 3 as time runs out. Good thing the East wanted him to get one field goal. This guy is not even close to Kidd. I would rather have Kidd, A. Miller, Payton, Davis, Marbury, Van Exel, Stockton, Nash or Armstrong over this punk. Someone said that Stevie was better than Stockton at this point in his career. When Stockton was 25 he was playing behind an all star point guard in Ricky Green, so we will never know. Lets compare Stocktons numbers to Stevie when Stockton became a starter though. Doesnt matter, Steve will never be close to Stockton in his prime. Will Stevie ever go for 21 points, 24 assists and 5 steals in a playoff game like Stockton has? NO! Will Stevie ever average 17 points and 14 assists a game? NO! Will Stevie ever dish out more than 1,000 assist in one season? No! Stockton did it 7 times and just missed 8 by 13 assists. Will Stevie ever dish out 15,000 assist or get 3,000 steals? NO! Do not even try to compare Stockton to Stevie. Stockton is one of the top 3 PGs of all time! In Stocktons prime he would have killed Stevie, heck he still abuses him at 40! Stevie is OK, but will anyone remember him in 20 years? I think not. They will remember Kidd and Stockton. This all star game just proved what kind of player he really is.
Please, harkm. Which point got the starting nod. Guess who. Nash played well, but I'd rather see Steve crossing people up and dropping dimes. So, apparantly, would most of the fans. But...if it's all true and Steve had a headache...I can see why he was sitting. But...question. Did Payton or Nash play longer? Payton was playing damn good basketball.
You could at least make your point without using HUGE BOLD LETTERS. I think everyone here can read regular text. Payton and Nash played side by side most of the time. But, I agree Nash could have played a few less minutes but Nellie really feels comfortable with him. Give Nellie a break!
Well...hmmm. I'm genuinely sorry. I will be sure to use regular text next time. I was kind of...exasperated at the moment. Nash is good. He still shouldn't have had all those minutes over Kobe, Payton, Sczerbiak, and Francis.
HIGH POST: YOU'RE AN IDIOT. WINK IS AVERAGING 30 POINTS, AGAINST YOUR STUPID JAZZ AND HE WOULD'VE HAD MORE IF HE HADN'T BEEN TOSSED IN THE FIRST GAME FOR NO REASON!!!!!!!
Man, take it easy on Nash. The dude is solid and one of the better point guards (if not THE best point guard) in the West right now. Geez... It's just an All-Star game. Chill out!
Also, everyone is forgetting that it is an All-Star tradition for the players to feed the hometown player and try to get him the MVP. They did it for Shaq in San Antonio (and Jordan got the MVP anyway). They've done it for years for all kinds of other players. And, this year, they did it for Kobe, who grew up in the Philly area. It is a tradition. When they play the game in the D.C. area, Steve will be the one getting all the passes. It's funny that everyone takes the All-Star game so seriously.
You're right, we shouldn't start comparing Steve to Stockton. Steve might actually win a title. oh, and one other thing. Magic Robertson Frazier Were all better than Stockton. Also, Stockton has gotten abused this year by Francis, what games were you watching?
Payton is the best IMO. Stevie with a migrane and Nash are tied. And if you'll notice, Axe, I said Nash is good. All I know is, Steve will settle down next year. It was fun watching him. Great, fast paced, high-scoring game. McGrady had the most highlight moments.
I thought I was the only guy who noticed that. Tim definitely looked at Steve a couple of times but still passed it to Kobe or brought it up himself. Who knows. Maybe it'a the rookie freeze out.
You may want to tell this to The Cat. I think he's convulsing in the fetal position in the corner screaming conspiracy and it was all Don Nelson's fault that Steve sucked. I tried telling people that Nelson loves Steve, but noooo - conspiracy theorists abound. I watched at a game in Dallas in which Steve went to Nelson after surgery and they gave each other a hug. Don wouldn't do that to Steve. Tonight was Steve's night to suck. Hell, the whole weekend was. Now let's hope he's gotten it out of his system...
Noticed it too. I knew before the game started that Garnett and Francis have had a little rift. Last year on Steve's birthday when the Rockets were in Minnie him and KG had a little exchange over KG blocking all SF's shot attempts that came after the whistle (like, practice shots). Steve said a little sumptin' sumptin' to him during a timeout and the camera got a shot of a scowling Garnett.
Duncan didn't seem to want to pass it to Steve. I also noticed this. It's like they were avoiding him. It cost them a couple of times too when they looked at an open Steve and passed to kobe only to have it stolen. I think Steve should've played better, but didn't seem to get a flow going. He hardly touched the ball. Nash is good, but why'd he get more minutes than the starter? Aside from his shot not falling, Franchise was playing well. I am glad that Nellie gave him garbage minutes. I agree with whoever it was that said Steve looked like Griff tonight, especially hesitating. highpost - Steve's not made in the mold of stockton. Plus stockton could get easy assists off of malone who always gets to the line. How is Steve supposed to rack up assists in an iso offense? Oh yeah and how many triple doubles does john have? Steve has 5 times as many.
