I'll take Francis's migranes over Davis's knees any day of the week. Steve hasn't missed nearly as much time as Baron Davis. Steve can shoot, and I'm sure if he played for Charlotte they would still be in the playoffs.
You sure about that? Steve boards better and, yes Virginia, Steve is the better shooter. Davis runs his team better, is just as explosive when healthy, and plays better defense when he feels like it. And forget about the "Maybes" or "Probablys", Baron's led his team to the post-season, Steve hasn't. Period. The Rocks aren't in the East, and they have more talent than the Hornets. No need to make excuses. They do have more free time, however.
The Rockets have more talent than the Hornets, are you sure about that. Mashurn, who do we have that matches up with him. Mobley's a better defensive guard but Weley's a damn better shooter. P.J. Brown is way better than our 4's combined. You claim Baron is better than Steve, but let's just say they even out. Kenny Anderson is their back up point. Rocks have Moochie. Nuff said there. Their two off the bench is Corey Alexander. As a matter of fact, the only clear advantage the Rocks have is Ming. And Magloire is no slouch. So lets see, their forwards are definitly better. There two is a much better shooter. They even out at the 1. The Rocks have the advantage at the 5, and the Rocks bench can't touch their's.
Starters: Ming > Magloire Griffin < Brown Posey < Mashburn Mobley > Wesley (Wesley better shooter, Mobley more well-rounded) Francis = Davis (you're estimation) Advantage: Rockets -> legit low post scorer and strong backcourt should equal better balance and more versatile offense. Better defensive balance as well with a versatile "stopper" and 2 solid shot-blockers. Bench (Roles) Offense: Taylor, Rice v. Alexander Defense: Cato v. Augmon, Lynch Playmaker: Mooch v. Anderson Misc.: TMo v. Traylor Pretty much a wash, IMHO, but if pressed I'll give the advantage to the Rocks for being bigger and having a legit low-post scorer. Rockets are slightly better, younger, and bigger IMHO. Why are they at home then?
Because they're in the West. You can choose to ignore that fact if you want, all you Francis haters do, but the fact is Francis would have made the playoffs twice in the East. So comparing Eastern conferece teams to Western conference is apples and oranges.
But the Rocks aren't in the East, so the whole "they would've in the East" excuse is as lame as not noting how tough the West is. Besides, the Rocks lost to quite a few EC teams, a conference they feasted on a couple of seasons ago; maybe the East is improving, and is better than you think. FYI, I'm not a "Francis hater", it's just that the honeymoon is over for me. Its time for Steve to grow up, and either lead or follow.
Its a lame excuse when talking about the Rockets exclusively. But when comparing them to Eastern Conference teams, its a point that can't be ignored. If you want to compare Baron Davis to Steve, you can't ignore that one is facing inferior competition more often than the other. But when talking about the Rockets exclusively, then we shouldn't bring up the Eastern Conference.
