What about this? The Lakers are making their move and have a good chance of catching us. That said, what has Stevie Franchise accomplished? As a leader, he has yet to lead his team to the playoffs. As easy as it is to get into the playoffs in the NBA, that makes me as well a lot of other people not think too highly of what he is bringing to the table. I like the Iverson analogy, b/c he too is looked at as a person who is a good player with good numbers, but does not belong in the first tier of the top 12 players. I think it could be argued that there are 4-5 that are more deserving than Francis at his position whether you call him a PG or a SG.
Bibby is so overrated. He's not a winner, he's a decent player who got put on a winning team by way of luck. If Francis were suddenly traded to Sacremento, and they went to the playoffs, even though they would've gotten there with anyone (*cough*Jason Williams*cough*), it doesn't change the player he is. Francis is better than Bibby. End of story. And don't give me "he's selfish and he doesn't pass the ball" because when he has players he can really go to, all-stars of his caliber, he's more than willing to pass the ball. Take another look at the all-star game. Olympic selection has nothing to do with playoff experience, it's about how good you are as a player and wanting to represent one's own country. And Steve does - badly.
as athletic???? can he even touch the rim???? better stats????????????(ya, assists avg only...but what about fg%? 3pt%? ft%? rpg? ppg? spg? bpg???) AI should not make to the team US w/ 40% fg!!!
If Francis wants to be mentioned in the same breath as Kobe, T-Mac, Kidd etc, he MUST take the Rockets to the playoffs. Simple as that. One 1st tier superstar (Kidd, T-Mac type) can get a team to playoffs every year. 2 can challenge for the title (maybe win too). Francis is clearly not at that level yet.
Francis is clearly a better player than Bibby. But Bibby is mentioned as a bigger possibility for USA than Francis because he's a great role playing passing PG (evidence: he run a great offense for the Kings). What's the point of having a scorer at the PG position (Francis) when you have Kobe, T-Mac, Duncan and KG who (we may not want to admit it) are better scorers than Francis? I don't neccessarily agree with this theory but I think that's what they thought about.
Your kidding right? Can Marbury touch the rim? Please tell me your kidding.... AI shouldnt make the team? Okay once again your kidding right?
Is it really francis' fault they havent been to the playoffs? No! Kobes doest take the lakers to the playoffs by himself, he has shaq, who did francis have? Francis is a good player, but 1 player cant take a team to the playoffs, unless he takes all the shots like A.I did, but then we have rockets fans crying, "francis is a ball hog!"
1 superstar can take a team to playoffs. What did Francis have? See Kidd, KG, Duncan and T-Mac. What did they have? Kobe is yet to show that he could take his team to playoffs alone yes but he along with Shaq took them to the several championships which is a lot bigger than just playoffs. Until Francis takes Rockets to the playoffs, he won't be mentioned as a superstar like the above players. Yes we are Rockets fans and we are supposed to be biased towards our players but you have to face the fact as well.
If Francis were traded to Sacramento, he'd probably somehow find a way to ruin their beautiful offense with his selfish, moronic play -- even with the great coaching they have. End of story. He represents much of what is wrong with U.S. basketball. But he's not selfish at all, he'll pass the ball to other "all-stars of his caliber." So it takes a team full of all-stars, under the scrutiny of national television for him to give up the ball. That sure proves he's not selfish, and is capable of elevating the play of his teammates -- as a point guard should. Olympic selection should be about picking the best players at each position, and who properly fill the role of that position. And Steve doesn't -- sadly.
I think I prefer the Stu Jackson theory. After being accused of thuggishness in the last Olympics, they've focused on trying to have players who will represent the country with dignity. Look at the model citizens they have picked so far: Tim Duncan, Ray Allen, Tracy McGrady, and Jason Kidd. Kidd did have the little scandal with the domestic dispute, but he is generally a good citizen, it seems. And, on the court, these guys are sober and professional. I think Francis is a solid citizen as well, but I think he has an exuberance that would turn the selection committee off. He used to get techs for slapping the backboard on dunks and skip around the court. I think they may worry about possible showboating when he's in a competition that is not very competitive. All this against the backdrop of violating the sanctity of the draft and I can see why some would be wary -- especially those who already have it out for him.
Not the case at all. All of the "MODEL CITIZEN" talk got thrown out when we got our butt's whipped last year. Stu has it out for Steve. Everyone knows that. AI is the only player I fear will not get picked because of his so called thuggishness. This really pisses me off at times. Thats the way USA basketball is played in your face. Like the Dunk over the frenchy that Vince did. It had "MOVE B@TCH, GET OUT THE WAY" written all over it. That's how we play, thats how we want Yao Ming to learn how to play. In my opinion, (which some of you dont have to agree with) Braid's, tattoo's, Doo Rags, Baggy Jeans is apart of the youth movement and the following that the NBA makes so much money of. At the same time they will be hypocritical of it by not letting a couple of these players (that deserve it) on Team USA. A player that was MVP of the league and basically single handedly leads his team to the finals, the player who sells the most jersey's is not voted on??? I have a problem with that...... I say put everybody on that B@tch. If your apart of the elite, you go. Plan and simple. Yes I do want us to go there with lots of attitude, every team that beat us last year showed their attitudes... Why cant we. And who better to do it with than the players with the most (so called) thug appeal...... Okay rant over...
I understand you may not like the position the OC has taken, but I don't think they've thrown it out the window. When they whipped everybody but looked like jerks doing it, they decided they needed more proper players. When we used more proper players, and got beat, they decided they needed better players and players that fit together better. A lot of the best players who didn't step up before are stepping up now. So the OC has a better pool to pick from. I think they'll look at the very best players, eliminate the showboats and then see who complements the core (the four chosen plus Bryant) the best. I bet that Vince Carter is not invited and this would be why.
Yeah well, Basketball is basketball... If you cant take the in your face action then I suggest you not watch (not refering to you). To me its what makes the game fun. If you call it showboating then so be it. I notice the only folks who complain about it are the folks who cant do what the showboaters do... You say what you want, when i think about USA basketball, I think about VC's dunk over the Frenchy. That to me is what the greatest country is equal too. If there was a survey on what was the greatest play of international ball, it would probably be that "showboating" dunk. Their is no point in hiding the facts, Why try to be something the USA isnt. Wether a player is thugged out and tattoo'ed up like tupac or as white as larry bird. Thats what america is "DIVERSITY". Mix me in a little John Stockton with a little Allen Iverson. Mild mannered family man w/ thug nation. (Stockton would be a good pick). A little Tim Duncan w/ Kevin Garnett. (KG is one of the most animated, emotional, SHOWBOATING players) we have. Thats what America is "to me". I really respect your opinion and have no beef with it. However I do feel dont make us out to be pansy's cause thats not what we are. AI, SF, VC, etc. Are some of our best, thugged out or not, showboat or no showboat. Period....
If, if, if...if my aunt had a crank, she'd be my uncle. First of all, its easy to sound SOOOO sure of yourself in hypothetical situations. Watch: If you replaced Kobe with Francis, the Lakers win the championship. Oooh, how profound. Secondly, I'd be VERY surprised if any team with Moochie Norris as their starting PG could win 50+ games. Thirdly, last I checked, Kobe hasn't really proven that he can win without Shaq. You saw how good of a job he did of leading the Lakers when Shaq was out. Those were the good ol' days when the Lakers were WAY out of the playoff picture and Kobe was jacking up 40+ shots a game.
Originally posted by hamachi If Francis were traded to Sacramento, he'd probably somehow find a way to ruin their beautiful offense with his selfish, moronic play -- even with the great coaching they have. End of story. He represents much of what is wrong with U.S. basketball. But he's not selfish at all, he'll pass the ball to other "all-stars of his caliber." So it takes a team full of all-stars, under the scrutiny of national television for him to give up the ball. That sure proves he's not selfish, and is capable of elevating the play of his teammates -- as a point guard should. Olympic selection should be about picking the best players at each position, and who properly fill the role of that position. And Steve doesn't -- sadly. Exactly what I was thinking...
No Apollo Creed, yours was the ridiculous post. Your initial post was ridiculous indeed and Hamachi set things straight albeit sadly. Anyway Francis still has a chance of making the team because a whole lot can change in a matter of months - heck things can change in a matter. The ball is figuratively in Francis' court.
I can't believe you honestly think that Francis would screw up the Kings. Bibby did not make that team, it merely fell into his lap. I don't know whether Francis would make the Kings better, but he sure wouldn't make them worse. And the Rockets with Bibby on it would sure as hell be worse. Some of you guys' hatred for Francis is blinding you.
