NBA Worst: Most Regressed/Unimproved Player?

Question

The nominations are in. Here are the tops for unimprovement:

-Steve Francis
-Shaquille O'Neil
-Stephon Marbury

You can only choose from one of these three. Any answers that do not vote for one of these three will be tossed out.

The best answer will be chosen from the group of votes that chose the winner (or loser, depending how you see it).

So far, JJ Reddick took home the Biggest Disappointing Rookie Award. http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=ArSrgPv.KjbZ07.5OGApHMDsy6IX?qid=20070606181649AAkSn3c

Who else will join him in 2007 infamy?

Take your Finals talk somewhere else. This is one question of several to decide who's the worst of the worst.

Answer 1

I don't think you can call Marbury the most regressed player because he had a better recent season than the other 2 contestant. Shaq's career is on the down swing for the worst but I wouldn't throw him to the wolves just yet because he was injured for a good part of the year. When D-Wade went out, he did pick up the slack for Miami. Therefore, my vote goes out to Steve Francis as the Most Regressed / Unimproved Player because of his inability to mesh with Marbury in the starting lineup.

The Knicks practically lost most of the games Francis started. It wasn't until, they replaced him with Jamaal Crawford in the starting lineup that New York started to get some W's in the record column. Even back up guard Nate Robinson have seen better outings than Francis. Francis is no longer the franchise player and can not carry a team like he used to. Plus, he is a selfish individual player who would not perform unless he was the center of focus on the team. He showed that in Houston when he didn't want to play second fiddles to Yao Ming. Houston ended up trading him to the Magics for T-Mac.

However, Francis continued his reign of terror in Orlando as he hindered the development of Jameer Nelson by refusing to give up the starting point guard position to the young point guard. When his coach removed him from the starting lineup, he refused to enter the game when called upon. It got so bad that Orlando had to dump him in New York for a mere pocket change. Steve Francis is an immature veteran and a cancer to any team he goes to. Regressed, unimproved, or not performing - when you're not putting out the efforts to produce at the level expected of you then you don't belong in the starting lineup or the NBA.

Answer 2

I don't think you can put Shaq in that group. He played in only 40 games this season due to injuries. Saying that he regressed is a stretch because he played only about half a season. Also, at 35 his quickness is beginning to fade.

Francis was also injured much of the year, playing only 44 games. Although Francis is only 30 and should be at the top of his game, he spends a lot of time playing for himself instead of his team.

Marbury has always been a head case. He is also 30 and only missed 10 games this year. Plus his numbers have steadily dropped in the past 5 years.

Of the three you list, it would have to be Marbury. Full season + dwindling numbers + head case = unimprovement/regression

Answer 3

I'd say Steve Francis because he averaged well over 20 points and around 5 rebounds/assists well in Houston. Now hes at like less then 10 points. Shaq I'd say has an excuse cause he came off injury and he is also aging. For Stephan Mardbury, I'd say that he was doing bad at the beginning of the season but he took it up a notch after all star break and averaged like 30 points a game for like 6 games straight.

Answer 4

Out of those 3, Francis because he really was a good player on Houston, fell off a little on Orlando, but where is he on the Knicks? He's just another one of their 45 disgruntled point guard/shooting guards that is pissed about the situation hes in. Stephon was always kinda in this situation so he hasnt fallen too much although he has gotten worse. Shaq has deteriorated but is still very effective because he commands double teams and still cannot be guarded 1 on 1. Plus his team is still very good.

Answer 5

In that group, it's gotta be Steve Francis. He's been hyped since he left college early, and he had major hops and has that highlight dunk in college, but he never developed an NBA game, he always made the All-Star team because the fans voted him in because he had major hops and highlight reel dunks. To me, he hasn't improved at all since college.

Shaq has the rings, hard to hate on him because that is the bottom line.

Steph had some really good seasons in Phoenix, Minnesota, and New Jersey, and he did develop into a really good point guard at one time.

Answer 6

Definitely Shaq

Steve Francis had a ton of injuries in orlando the year before and his interest in bball and his level of play had dropped off considerably...they didn't expect much outta him and thats exactly what they got...not much

Marbury was injured all yea with toe problems and he still played thru it and gave the knicks hope to make it to playoffs till the last 3 weeks of season and he was like top 25 in the yahoo fantasy game for a couple months so he definitely put up close to Starbury like nos.

Shaq is shaq

He came in overweight and in non basketball shape....his attitude wasn't right from day one and it hurt the heat, so its shaq!

Answer 7

I say Shaq. Its not that I wouldn't want him on my team but he is what he is. He has always been bigger, and more powerful than the guy who is guarding him. He's not much more than he was when he was a rookie. Francis and Starbery have both went down but you've seen improvements in their game before. As for Shaq, the only thing that improved was his team and coach. His game only took a slight incline.

Answer 8

Stephon Marbury

Answer 9

Shaquille O'neal

Answer 10

Sebastian telfair, Paul Peirce, Jamal Crawford