I've been hearing this forever. They even talked about it on 610 (Yeah, they actually talked about the Rockets). People always talk about us getting a pure point guard (like there are many...), and moving Steve to starting 2 and either trading Cat or having him come off the bench. So why is Steve a better shooting guard? DEFENSE -It'd be hard to argue that Steve is a better defender than Cat. Cuttino is an underrated defender and a SIGNIFICANTLY better defender than Steve. When it comes to Steve defender players that are even taller, it won't help the matter much. OFFENSE -Cuttino is a SIGNIFICANTLY better 3 point shooter -Cuttino is a better mid-range shooter -Cat's even a better free throw shooter...but who cares -Mobley can create his own jump shot off the dribble as well as Steve -Steve is better, but not WAY better at penetrating the defense (ignoring what he does afterwards) -Post-up game is obviously Cat's advantage -Shot selection...sort of depends, but both could work on it -Passing: Cuttino has improved on this. Steve is the supposed POINT guard so his assists should be better. Regardless, this is sort of a moot point for who's the better SHOOTING guard. -Cuttino can catch and shoot off screens well, but Steve's not bad either ATHLETICISM -Francis has a 40+ vertical, Mobley has a 35+ vertical -Francis has better strength drawing contact and fouls when penetrating -Mobley has a better first step -Both finish well on the break -Mobley's reaction time on defense is much better OTHER -Both have a good work ethic -Both really care about winning -Both make some bad decisions -Cuttino is underpaid for his production and skills -Steve is on a max contract, a supposed franchise player, but is he really? I hardly ever think point guards are franchise players other than Kidd. So why again are people wanting to move Cat? It's not like you're going to get a trade of better value unless you got a very solid point guard who knew his role AND a 15 ppg forward. Is Steve just a lot of hype. You can compare him to Marbury or Davis. A few years ago I felt they were pretty even. I don't know if Marbury is a winner, but he averages 8 assists a game. Davis can single handedly carry his team into the playoffs without Mashburn and take over games. What's the big deal about Steve. It's not like I don't like him. I think he's a very talented player, but ever since he went to Maryland and was over-hyped there, and then had that dunk contest, all the love has been sort of unexplainable to me.
Why is Cuttino a better shooting guard than Jim Jackson? If we had to trade one, I'd definitely tade Cuttino.
-Mobley can create his own jump shot off the dribble as well as Steve -Steve is better, but not WAY better at penetrating the defense (ignoring what he does afterwards) Steve is way better on both counts. Cuttino needs to stare at his opponents shoes for 10 seconds before he can make a move.
Well I don't know how I can prove it to you, but I disagree. Even two years ago when everyone was out, Cat was getting his points. Steve still has that hesitation to the left crossover move. That's about his only way to get his jumpshot off. Why is Cat better than Jim Jackson? Jim Jackson is older. We're not going to contend for a few years, so we need to build chemistry with a nucleus. A nucleus is not one player...Yao. Not a better offensive threat, but still underrated. Not as consistent. Are salaries that much different? Defense is pretty solid. Hits open shots well, but creating shots is mostly off fadeaways on the baseline.
Yeah, all you did was type up a long post about it. Come on, man, Steve hating is like being gay...EVERYBODY'S coming out.
Believe me, I don't hate Steve. I've defended him plenty in the past. I also don't want him traded. I just don't see how he's a better option at shooting guard than Cat. It seems like people are just enamored because of hype and dunks. Almost attached... Also, my post was not to say how much Steve sucks, but that he's not better as a shooting guard. He just needs to be a better decision maker and realize that to win he needs more assists and less points.
It's easy. Shooting guard really just has to shoot and/or penetrate and shoot. Point guard duties includes all that plus ball handling, spreading the ball around, passing, setting up offensive plays, etc. And quite frankly, the reason that Francis does a better job of playing the 2 is because he doesn't have to think so much. He can't handle the thought processes
reason i dont want to move steve to the 2 is i feel he will become like iverson then; meaning he will jack up many shots and miss many and begin to hog the ball again.
Did you even read my post or just the title? Do you watch the games? The only reason you can give is that he doesn't think so much? And that's a good thing? hahaha
Cat is a true 17 pt scorer. I am not downplaying his skills. But I think Steve is a step above, that's why he gets paid exception money, that why JVG said this is Steve and Yao's team, that's why teams gameplan for Steve and not Cuttino, and that's why JVG lets Steve dominate the ball and take the most shots. To me, Cuttino and Jackson are more similar than Cuttino and Steve`. They generally rely on open shots from other players who comman double teams (Steve and Yao). They both have the ability to score about 17 points per game, they can occasionally create their own shots (with the edge to Cuttino), but they will never really be the "go-to" guy. The reason I would keep JJ over Cuttino is that he is a much better passer, understands how to play the game better, and provides great leadership and character. (Granted, Steve lacks in those things as well.)
honestly i didn't read your post b/c quite frankly that's basically the only reason Steve does better playing the 2 than the point is because well...i'll say it right now...he's too stupid and/or immature to play the point.
I agree with most of your points. I don't think Steve is a better go-to guy then Cat. Also, if you're thinking longer term, JJ will be gone and then what? Your comparison of him with Cat seems very valid, but over time I'd rather have Cat. I just haven't seen much to think Steve is really a step above. He has the potential to be though. That's why I don't want him traded. I don't want Cat traded, because we'd most likely not get a better value or increase in total production unless solid PG + good SF/PF. You also have to remember defense which is stressed under JVG and not one of Steve's strong points.
