FanNation - The Republic of Sport

I bet it's real easy to make comments like that when you're sitting on your duff watching the game instead of being down on the court being mauled by Gasol. Refs bailing KG out? They're too busy with their golden boy Bryant. Please.

Please will someone pass the pipe to Artest so he will shutup. What has Artest ever done for us to deserve this? He just another tall boy who can run. That is life. Get over it. Your mamma can beat him in b-ball. And smokin also.......

SoxSider - there have been at least 5 franchise players in the NBA since Jordan, if you use the following 2 metrics as a requirement:
- Playing for a single team as a starter and not moving between teams.
- Having solid, consistent, above-average stats and functioning as a reliable cornerstone for the team - ie "carrying" the team as far as their potential takes them.
By these standards, Tim Duncan, Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, Dwayne Wade, and Paul Pierce have all been franchise players. Kevin Garnett was a franchise player for the Wolves before he got traded, and Jason Kidd was essentially a franchise player for the Nets. The Pistons have various players that come close to being franchise players - Chauncey Billups and Rip Hamilton - but they should have won one more title, of which they were capable.
- JL

hummmmmmmmm...am I or am I not? Hummmmmmmmmmm

I guess you could also add Mike Bibby as a franchise player for the Kings before he got traded. Also Steve Nash of the Suns after he was traded from Dallas, and Dirk Nowitzki of Dallas. Other players who are developing into franchise players for future consideration include Yao Ming of Houston, Chris Paul of New Orleans, Deron Williams of Utah, Chris Bosh of Toronto, and Dwight Howard of Orlando. It's debatable whether Jermaine O'Neal can be considered a franchise player for Indiana, since they haven't achieved their potential over the past few years.
- JL

Sounds like somebody at the NY Post has Celtic envy. Knicks suck much?

the Knicks do suck much. And they have little hope of being better for at least 3 years.

Trust me, no one at the New York Post cares about the fortunes of the Knicks, least of all anyone who covers them regularly. Even when they're good (checking deep into the archives neccessary), the tabloids find a way to pee on their parade.

wade is a franchise player

That's scathing coming from you, Ron, a "true warrier". HA!

That was painful to read mostly because it is true, in my opinion. Garnett seems like a very nice guy but he turns into Chris Webber at crunchtime. Shrinking violets are NOT franchise players. I would LOVE for KG to prove the article (and me for that matter) wrong.

since m.j. retired has there honestly been one? duncan, thats all i can think of

Sox Sider | 06

Ever heard of Lebron or Kobe???

hell yes he is

opppss!!!...that hurts!!....I always like KG,but so far this series,the MVP in that team is Pierce and second in performance is Posey...those guys are killing us...but not KG...c'mon even Artest has something to say...and you know that dude is tough when it comes to defense and beating fans....lol....

opppss!!!...that hurts!!....I always like KG,but so far this series,the MVP in that team is Pierce and second in performance is Posey...those guys are killing us...but not KG...c'mon even Artest has something to say...and you know that dude is tough when it comes to defense and beating fans....lol....

"Fake Franchise Player." Peter used that same phrase to describe Chris Webber. Reserved for players who are all hype and no action. I agree 100% with Pete. For all of KG's antics (chest pounding etc.), he disappears at crunch time. Paul Peirce will be the MVP of the finals and deservedly so. We can give Ray Allen a pass for having to defend Kobe.

The only franchise player I can think of since Michael is Tim Duncan. The players JL listed are good but not franchise players. The next closest thing we may have to that is Chris Paul in New Orleans. I would say Kobe Bryant, but he hasn't always been a franchise player - complaining about wanting to be traded, etc.

There are plenty of franchise players in this league. When the game is on the line, you want the ball in their hands to make a play or a shot. AI, Lebron, Kobe, Duncan, Peirce, Wade, Dirk, Bosh, etc. KG? not so much.