I cited the all star votes when somebody posed a question about what other nba fans thought about Francis. It's a valid indicator of that sentiment.
With or without Francis, I don't expect the U.S. team to be embarassed. I don't think his addition would be enough of a benefit to alter our eventual outcome in the Games. Hence, my nonchalance about the whole matter.
Didn't mean it as an attack at you, but rather my position is that All-Star game nominations should have NO bearing on the definition of Olympic worthiness if the end goal is to win, not to make the fans happy.
I actually would prefer young, hungry players that want to be there and have something to prove over these old veterans that don’t want to be there and have nothing to prove.
Truthfully, I miss when college players were in the Olympics. Sure the 1992 Dream Team was special, but that magic will never be recaptured (at least in my eyes). I want to see guys like Okafor, Paul, Humphries, Childress, Nelson and West in the Olympics (even though most of them will technically be professionals by then)
I dont see what the big deal is. Francis isnt a good point guard plain and simple and If you guys think he is then watch the season again. Francis is a very talented player and deserves recognition, but is not fundamentally sound. Its arguable that francis is better then bibby, but bibby was choosen because of his ability to play in a system and his shooting ability, something you need to bust the zones used heavily in internation BB. Look what happened when he had to play in JVGs "system". These days in international competition talent wont win it all and team work is needed. This isnt the 1992 games anymore and most countries have caught up and they have been playing together longer then the team the US puts together. Francis skills are not suited for international baskeball plain and simple. Its fairly obvious Stu jackson holds a grudge, but honestly I wouldnt want SF to be the point guard If I wanted the US to win. SF is not a very good spot up shooter, is not a very good passer, cant run a fastbreak for his life and makes poor decisions. Francis didnt even break the top50 in assist to turnovers. Yeah its pretty childish of stu jackson to hold a grudge, but its pretty obvious SF isnt going to be choosen because he isnt a very good point guard, something the US team needs to win.
I don't understand why this guy suggests that Steve's T's and attitude kept him out, but then says he has it "on record" (?) that it's a personal grudge instead. If the first reason is true, I can understand that argument... although I'd still argue that, with the talent pool dwindling, that reason doesn't hold up as strongly. On the other hand, if the grudge rumor is really true, Jackson should be fired. His job is to assemble the best team to represent our country and to pass on a great talent like Francis for personal reasons is simply unforgiveable.
Sam, The Rockets gave away stuffs for fans stuffing ballot box with hundreds of votes for its players. I am not sure how well fans from other cities regard Steve. It is not to say Steve is a terrible player. What I will say is that Dwayne Wade was impressive in the play-offs. A rookie with 13 playoff games under his belt. 18 pts/ game at 45%FG .... Choosing Dwayne over Steve is not a bad decision.
Yugoslavia & Lithuania should give Team USA a run for their money. 2004 Olympic Games - Men's Basketball Competition Dates: August 13-29, 2004 Site: Athens, Greece Venues: Preliminary Rounds: Hellinikon Olympic Complex, Indoor Arena Final Rounds: Athens Olympic Sports Complex, Olympic Indoor Hall Teams Competing: 12 nations will participate in the 2004 Olympics: 1. Greece (Host Country) 2. Serbia & Montenegro (the former Yugoslavia) (2002 World Champion) 3. Angola (Africa Zone #1) 4. USA (Americas Zone #1) 5. Argentina (Americas Zone #2) 6. Puerto Rico (Americas Zone #3) 7. China (Asia Zone #1) 8. Lithuania (European Zone #1) 9. Spain (European Zone #2) 10. Italy (European Zone #3) 11. Australia (Oceania Zone #1) 12. New Zealand (Oceania Zone #2)
Add, our team is 2nd to only Washington in TO! Our team is 25th in team assists as well. Now, does the Olympic team really need a "wana be" shooting guard. Or do they want a competent point guard?
I said we wouldn't be embarassed with or w/o Steve... I didn't say we would win the Gold with or without him.
I just don't get how our star PG, who people around here think is the 2nd coming can't even get a sniff on the USA thing. I think it is a travesty, and a sham, and a mockery....a Travishamockery !!! Burgerfickle !! DD
check out this thread to predict who you think will win the Olympic tournament: http://bbs2.clutchfans.net/showthread.php?s=&threadid=65436
The Rockets have incentives to get people at home games to vote for him? Shocking. They must be the only team in the NBA to do that, right? I'll put it another way: He made the all star game the last 3 years in a row despite playing for one of the teams with the lowest home attendance levels in the NBA.
This team will not lose with Tim Duncan in the middle. Larry Brown will be a factor as well. The best player and the best coach in the league will make all the difference in the world.
Hmmmmm, I think Steve should wait until he's offered a position on the team and then turn it down. What would be funny is if he said that as long as Stu Jackson is on the selection committee that he doesn't want to be on the team.
Voting someone not on your team who is a human highlight reel isn't difficult because ASG is all showboating. It is not real game. That is different from having the guy on your own team, especially when he is turnover machine and a poor decison maker.
Fine, I give up then. You guys are right. He's terrible and nobody outside the rockets likes him and his being voted into the all star game is solely a reflection of his ability to dunk the basketball, it wasn't based on perceived merit at all. That's why stockton made it in. Thankfully, we can still trade him for Tracy McGrady or Elton brand or whoever, because even though we all know that he sucks and other teams fans know that he sucks and Stu Jackson knows that he sucks, other team's GM's are ignorant of such a sentiment.
