For Nash? Any day. For Bibby? Yes. For Davis or Marbury? No, their games are similar to Francis. Why change? There are two myths pushing by some here. First, we are a slow team (JVG's style, allegedly), so Nash wouldn't fit. If so, why are we lamenting about our lack of fastbreak? Second, Francis is fast (because he's athletic), so he should be great in Dallas. If so, why are we lamenting about our lack of fastbreak? The answer is the same for both myths. We are not a slow team because of JVG's system. We are slow because Francis is a slow PG. Athleticism does not equal to speed. Yes, Francis can move fast physically, but he can't make fast decisions. That's why we are a slow team. Preferring a tough grinding defense does not equal to preferring a slow grinding offense. JVG has said that he wanted to run since he got here. If we had Nash instead of Francis as our PG, we would instantly become a running team.
I'd trade Francis for Steve Nash and Baron Davis right now (without looking at the contract details of everyone involved that is although I think Steve is the most overpaid of the bunch). Ask me in a couple years whether I would do the same for Hinrich.
You forgot one important factor, the other players on the team. Nash isn't running a fast break by himself and Francis isn't either. Which team's forwards are more likely to get out on the break. Cato and Jackson, or Howard and Nowitzki??
You can't zone the Mavericks up with Nowitzki, Walker and Finley bombing you from the outside. Francis is definitely overrated, I agree with that, but he is one of the best PG's in the league, and one of the betetr players in this league in the right system.
I think it's possible that Francis will thrive in Dallas. What Dallas does is easier to get Francis to learn than the inside-out game we have here, IMO. Also, given Cuban's propensity to want big name guys, I can somewhat see this deal happen, with Nash in a sign and trade deal. If that offer's on the table, I'd do it in a heartbeat. Nash is a much better fit with Yao Ming than Francis could ever hope to be.
Now the follow up question is: Would the Hornets, Mavs, Kings, Knicks, or Bulls make that trade? I'd say No. Here's my point: If Steve Francis were allowed to play his game (the type of game he played when he dominated the ball before the Rockets drafted Yao), and you interchanged him with the starting PG on the 5 best teams in the Western Conference, those 5 teams' chances of winning the championship would decrease, despite the fact that on paper Francis is the better player compared to Nash, GP, Cassell, Bibby, or Parker. His game isn't suited for winning systems. The Rockets are winning this year because Steve isn't playing "his game." His numbers show it, but as a team the Rockets are playing better when compared to last year. So I believe Francis could win a championship here in Houston, but only at the expense of the way he would truly like to play. But this means he'll be a 16-6-6 "feed the post" guy instead of a 22-7-8 "I'm the man" guy. Will he be willing to change enough for that to happen? If he is, will CD and JVG be willing to give him the time for that to happen? If you are a marginal player or old, you'll take a ring any way you can get it. But for some star players, there is something to be said for winning on your own terms. Can "the Franchise" swallow his pride and be ok winning a ring as the second banana to Yao? If the answer is "no," then we could go elsewhere and put up huge numbers on teams like the Celtics, Wizards, Sonics that have no legitimate shot at a championship. He could join the Wizards where they already have 3 classic "bad team, good numbers" players in Areans, Hughes, and Stackhouse who, despite an excess of athletic ability and "on paper" talent, will never come close to sniffing a championship.
Just to let you guys know, there was a thread that asked this question on the Dallas-Mavs. BBS not to long ago, and most of them(about 90%) didn't want Francis. They know how bad of a point he is, especially in the games that we play against the Mavs. Its almost laughable to think Cuban would be stupid enough to make this trade.
Nowitzki is a rare breed. Few PFs run the floor like him. Most teams don't run their fastbreaks with their big men. But it is clear that the key to the break is the ball handler. Most NBA SGs and SFs (yes, including ours) can run the court. The difference is whether the ball handler pushes it and makes good decision on it.
Should I have said "relatively" better? The Western Conference this year is even tougher this year. And after the first half season of the JVG era, despite some unwatchable defensive battles and with Steve adjusting his game somewhat, things for the future look more promising now than at any point in the last 4 seasons and I only expect things to get better.
Uh, that wasn't the point. The point is that Steve isn't as good as Nash, most NBA teams and fans could recognize that. Only SOFs would think its Mavs fans' blind loyality to one player...I guess thats what drives SOFs. You're more and more pathetic with each post pgabriel...I'll be glad when Steve gets traded in the offseason, why don't you follow him?
In the inside-out offense, the point guard has gotta be able to shoot well. Look at Kenny Smith. The same goes for Matt Maloney for 1 season. The Rockets don't even need a player of Nash's talent. A slow guy who can shoot the 3s and can pass into the post would do well. There's gotta be a few of those out there on the planet.
Even after watching MJackson run the point for us, its obvious that our offense could and should run smoothly with lots of cuts, crisp passes, hard picks, and open looks. SF hasn't shown me any improvement in helping the team run smoother. Nash, passes better, shoots better IMO which is something that goes hand in hand with the inside outside game. Bibby is not overpaid. The guy is one of the best jump shooters in the league and perfect for the Kings philosophy.
Theres a difference between routing for and understanding the shortcomings of their players. You should know all about shortcomings yourself...intellectual and what not.
Sure, i'd do it for Nash in the blink of an eye, what can i do to help, willing to have his kids if that will help Hinrich, Baron, Kidd, Bibby, Baron and even Marbury.......sign me up they all play better D, they all have a BBall IQ at least double Steve's, they can all balance scoring and distributing... and they can all get the ball after a board get in the middle of the floor and run a break and transition offense if it is there to be run instead of walking it up the floor to conserve energy for the 1on1 shot-clock beating glory shot....
