(Boston Globe) Stevie

Do we need another Stevis Thread? If so, and if this isn't elsewhere, here's Boston:

http://www.boston.com/sports/basketball/articles/2007/08/26/a_complimentary_player/?page=3

They expect a boost from this retro Rocket

New Rockets general manager (and former Celtics executive) Daryl Morey looked to the past for his most recent player acquisition, adding Steve Francis to the roster with a two-year deal. The Trail Blazers bought out Francis's contract, reportedly for $30 million, in July, making the guard an unrestricted free agent. The Rockets thought he would be a good fit with his experience and ties to Houston.

"We feel very good about having him on the team," said Morey. "He is going to play a key role.

"He's a former Rocket -- that played an important role. We took a close look at his performance in New York. He's still one of the top 10 guys in the league at being able to get to the basket and get to the line. Players with that skill are at a premium in [coach] Rick [ Adelman]'s system."

When asked exactly what role Francis would play, Morey said Adelman "doesn't have any preconceived notions about how he's going to use a pretty deep set of guys at the guard positions."

But Morey was confident that the 30-year-old Steve Francis who rejoins the team is different from the three-time All-Star who was traded from Houston to Orlando in 2004.

"He is coming to the Rockets at a good time," said Morey. "He's very focused on winning. He turned down significant financial offers to come to Houston. He's taken steps in terms of what's important to him and that bodes well for his attitude in other areas."

Morey was busy last week in Las Vegas watching practice sessions with the select and national teams and the competition at the Tournament of the Americas. He kept a close eye on Houston players Aaron Brooks (select team) and Luis Scola (Argentina).

"The US team is obviously dominating," said Morey. "If this was the team in the World Cup, they probably would have gone farther."