Jumpman- I was thinking more of their game- not shoot, dribble and pass. Jordan was stronger, a better shooter, quicker, a better ball handler, a better rebounder and had better timing, was more consistant, could jump higher, had better range, was more clutch, had better hands, better court vision and a much better defender than Sura- other than that, they both could shoot, dribble and pass
i think jumpman had a good post. jordan is obviously far and away a much better player than sura.....but so i francis. would orlando have traded tmac for sura even if atlanta was the only team he wanted to go to? hell no.
Francis is also stronger, a better scorer, quicker, a better ball handler, rebounder, more consistant, could jump higher, more clutch, better hands, court vision, and better defender. The question you asked makes it seem like you think Sura and Francis are equals, well yes and no. Yes they could do the same things, no because Francis can do it at an All Star level and Sura does it at a journey man, pretty much average, level.
I agree with your point. Because there is no doubt that Steve has superior talent and would beat Sura over and over one on one. But taking them both as the Rockets point guard, in that position do you really see us losing that much over last season at that position. Again what did Steve achieve at the point position last season that Sura can't do? Did he carry us in most games? I can take the arguement that this observation was the fault of JVG's system, but I think Sura can do what Steve did for the team last season, with fewer unforced errors, better passes, and better perimeter defense. I also think he will mesh with Van Gundy better than Steve did. And I also think he will dribble less of the shot clock. Just my opinion
Sura is a hustle guy with some game,but IMO that doesn't automatically translate to him being a GOOD defensive player.He will hit the glass,and has had some big games against cruddy teams.He just isn't disciplined enough for my taste.
The Rockets are going to lose a lot but Sura isn't coming in to replace Francis anyway, he's not going to be the team's only playmaker like Francis was last season. Put Sura on the Rockets last season instead of Francis and they suck, with Francis they made the playoffs, i'm not about to predict individual stats but the wins and losses would of suffered big time. Just to avoid an argument lets say he didn't, but niether was Sura so there's no point to that. No he can't do what Francis did last season, but he won't have to either, that's Tracy's job, the Rockets will rely on Tracy not Sura. You can't say that Sura would of had less unforced errors, better passes, won't dribble as much, since he hasn't been on a team that asked him to do what Francis did last season. Next season he won't be asked to do much, the team won't rely on him like they relied on Francis, basically if he has a bad game the team still has an excellent chance at winning, if Francis had a bad game the chances weren't too good last season and it will be the same with Tracy.
I really feel pretty good about the Sura acquisition. I feel that Sura will have a season much like JJ had last year. I think Sura brings a lot to the team. I like his energy off the bench. I like the fact he hustles and really pushes the tempo when he has the ball. He looks to pass first and is willing to play defense. I think we will find that Sura will be a solid rotational player. And at his 6'5" size he can play multiple positions which is always a bonus. I dont have as much optimism for Ward however. I think he will be servicable but I dont see him making a huge impact the way I think Sura can.
Maybe Bobby Sura will wipe away our memories of: Bryce Drew Brent Price Matt Maloney Dave Jamerson Bobby Hurley (even tho he didnt play for the Rockets, he sucks and doesnt know how to drive a car)
JumpMan- I can go with your take. It's not like teams didn't have to plan to stop Steve... He got alot of defensive attention. I know Steve is better. And I don't think I will know just how well Sura can run the team. But I don't think it would be a stretch to say he could come in and provide as much as Steve did. Steve didn't have an all star season last year. And he didn't show his real arsenal until the Laker playoff series when he tore up Gary Payton. Steve's shot was off, and his turnovers where more unforced. He looked lost in the system alot. Now it may have been Van Gundy's fault or Steve's or a combination or just to much of a different style of play for Steve. But none the less, JVG didn't taylor the team to Steve, and I think Sura will fill in just as well as Steve performed last season. IF he doesn't- yuk If he does it will not be that he is a better player than Steve, but a better fit here. Yes, I believe we won't miss the Steve Francis that labored under JVG basketball last season.
This shouldn't be a question of is "Francis better than Sura" but of is McGrady, Sura and Lue/Ward a better backcourt than Francis, Mobley and Jackson?? McGrady and Sura win this hands down as your starting backcourt, and the Lue/Ward versus an aging Jackson is also an upgrade as for who is your first sub in. You can possibly argue who was better Sura or Mobley, I'd pick Cat, but who in their right mind wouldn't trade McGrady for Francis. Francis is a great player, but please don't put him in McGrady's class. Is the team better for this?? And the answer is an emphatic YES.
It is a stretch, as bad as Francis' season was Sura won't match him in points, rebounds, assists, steals, minutes, not even close in impact. He shouldn't be compared to Francis, if he contributes more than Piakowski, Griffin, M. Jackson, and Nachbar did last season than he'll be a success, and that won't be too hard.
I never compared the two, what I said was that the Rockets will have to rely on Tracy like they relied on Francis last season. And yeah, I like this backcourt better...
JumpMan- I know your right especially since Steve talent is a couple notches above Sura's But is Sura gets within 10% of what Steve's mpg were last season I predict (boldly) that he will have better apg, rpg and steals per game. I do not think he will havae the same scoring average. Plus he will have fewer turnovers per game. If he gets the minutes part, I think he will equal or exceed those other stats you mentioned, (except scoring) I think he will be a better point guard for this team. I know, I know, he's no where near the athlete, talent or scorer and Steve Francis, or dunker. But let's try to remember to compare the stats at the end of the season. We can even do it based upon minutes per game. Mark my word if Sura is our starter at the point he will have a better season than Steve did last season. Doesn't make him the better player (hey I would trade back Sura for Steve straight us right now in a heart beat) But I would hate to have to endure another year of Steve's attitude, turnovers, and dribbling offensive execution.
That is BOLD. Of course he'll have fewer TOs, he won't be the only playmaker on the team. In minutes per game? I never liked that kind of thinking, I remember Chris Gatling averaged more than a point per minute one season. Yet he was NOT going to lead the league in scoring if he played 30+ minutes a game if he could he would of played more. I'll remember this though, and at the end of next season I'll be good with his pick up because he contributed more than Piakowski, M. Jackson, Nachbar, and Griffin, not Francis.
Actually, many here have made the statement that Sura is better than Francis. I didn't expect us to sign an all-star PG, but at least a starter quality PG, and none of the three guys we have are NBA starters. People can make a case that Wardd is more disciplined, but not Lue, or Sura. As a matter of fact, those two are known for their wild plays, especially with Sura. So, no Sura is not more disciplined, or muture than Steve. Please remember this, with Howard, Lue, and TMac, the Magic was the worst team in the league. Now, add Yao & another bench player into the mix, and we are expecting miracles?
wood..as in tiger? didn't know he could hoop ! oh.u mean charlie ward....hey, again i'll say CD has done YET ANOTHER excellent job here. Bobby and chaz will be fine..and lue? understudy. This team can make a move......add Mutumbo and quit whinin pleeze. Some of u think we're supposed to get every damn player out there. gO yAO GO !
I could see rox using this formation at times PG:Ward SG:Sura SF:Tracy PF:Howard C:Yao it probaly wont be the starting lineup, but i could see it throughout the season.
Little off topic, but.... How do you post a poll? Do you just type in the choices and select the # of options?
