After playing a key role in a big win for the first time in a long time, Steve Francis was hilarious in the post-game TV interview last night. Arm draped casually around the interviewer's shoulder, joke at the ready, and clearly in no hurry ... he was like Norma Desmond in Sunset Boulevard: ready for his closeup. Jason Friedman of the Houston Press reflects on his two good games: "Francis is like that loveable kid in your class with a knack for saying or doing the wrong things at the wrong time. As much as you like the guy, you can't stop wondering what he could accomplish if he just buckled down and applied himself. Sometimes, he gets kicked out of class, after which he always comes back contrite and respectful. But the moment he starts feeling comfortable again, the shenanigans return. So you have to ask yourself: Will this time be any different? The thing is, the Rockets don't need Stevie to be the Franchise of old. They'd happily settle for Manu Ginobili-Lite; someone who can come off the bench, fill-up the stat sheet, and provide a spark with his energy, offense and derring-do. That's exactly what Francis has done the last two games. Both resulted in Rockets wins. So know this: The class is watching you, Stevie. They're also pulling for you. What will you do next?"
Former Spur and dunking legend James White, I just realized, is blogging through his NBA homesickness on Hoopshype. He's playing for Fenerbache, in Turkey, and admits "it's not the best situation" to be out of the League. He adds: "In case you were wondering, yeah, I received my championship ring. Well, in fact my girl received it. It's a good thing to have and it was a very cool experience going through the playoffs with the Spurs even though I didn't play at all. Just living in that atmosphere, watching how the veterans were able to handle all types of different situations... It was great. You learn a lot just being around. No matter how tough it was when they cut me, I'm going to keep good memories from my time there."
Former Dan Fegan client Ricky Davis has some advice for Anderson Varejao: fire Fegan if you want to get a deal done with the Cavaliers. Branson Wright's article in the Cleveland Plain Dealer points out that Fegan has been one of the most innovative and toughest negotiators in the league. "'Fegan's whole reputation is based on what happens with Varejao,' said the rival agent. 'Fegan's trying to show how tough of an agent he is. Every agent, every GM and every player is watching to see how this works out. If the Cavs budge, Fegan will sign a hundred clients.' That's the flip side. Fegan is respected for his tough negotiation tactics, and many agents admire him. Those same agents also want to see if this holdout by Varejao transpires into dividends. 'If this works, we'll all have our players hold out,' said the agent. 'It'll change the face of negotiations in the NBA. So what's going on between the Cavs and Fegan is very important because if it works out for Fegan, this will change the whole game. But if he fails, he'll look like an idiot.'"
Onion article: "A meeting held at Madison Square Garden Wednesday between New York Knicks ownership and head coach Isiah Thomas was interrupted more than half a dozen times by 'Fire Isiah' chants which came at various points throughout the two-hour-long discussion, Knicks officials reported."
TrueHoop reader Daniel emails: "I have a topic for you: TALENT. When I was kid and Star Wars ruled the nation, unlike the other kids, I didn't want the action figures; I wanted the soundtrack. I have always loved music. At 15, I got a guitar. Didn't know how to play or even tune it. I just plicked around and sold it on the first offer. In college, a roommate showed me a few chords, riffs from Pink Floyd and Hendrix, and bam. Still rockin' today. People tell me I have talent. But I don't think so. I think it's love. If you play every day, and feel bad if you can't, and you do so for years and years, it's love and work that make you great. Yes, there are a few prodigies out there, so talent does exist. But I'm saying it's way overrated. Have you ever tried to think of a way to measure the minutes Jordan played? Total minutes, from childhood playgrounds and lonely mornings in the driveway to high school practices to pick-ups to summer league and international play to NBA games. If my theory holds any water, then Jordan, before his decline, played more than anyone. Maybe I'd put Iverson and Stockton and Nash up there, but maybe not Wilt or Shaq (maybe size is part of talent). LOVE TRUMPS TALENT."
Basketbawful: "Carlos Boozer, who scored 26 points (12-17), is shooting 71 percent (44-62) over his last four games. He's currently fourth in the league in scoring (25.4), seventh in field goal percentage (57.7), and ninth in rebounding (11.2). With all due respect to Dirk Nowitzki and Tim Duncan, I think Boozer may be the best power forward in the Western Conference right now. Of course, we all know that Duncan will be the best PF come playoff time."
Dave from BlazersEdge, talking about last night's game recap: "There's a quote in there that has been commonplace among all the Blazers lately. Rough translation: 'We lost because we were missing shots we're capable of hitting.' OK, one or two games I buy that. When it's said every other day ... not so much. At what point do you admit that you're NOT getting shots you can hit, that you're too covered, too far out on the court, or too invested in the wrong people shooting? After a certain sample size 'shots you can hit' starts to equal 'shots you do hit.'"
Reciprocal man-crush: LeBron James and Jason Kidd. And Kidd plays for James' friend Jay-Z.
The Kings jack up outside shots throughout the fourth quarter, miss almost every single one of them, and lose a winnable game. Ron Artest, however, says he'd take the same shots again. Maybe that's the right answer, confidence is part of shooting, but isn't this a chance to learn to perform better next time?
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