Before Francis' injury-plagued season, the question was whether he would take the max extension this fall, or would he wait and shop his services later. Now, what happens if the Mayo Clinic cannot find the cause for his migranes? Of course, I'm sure the Rockets will admit the first concern should be for Steve the person, and that he gets well. However, the business end will creep up as this fall draws closer, and the Rockets have to face the issue of whether they will offer him a max extension this fall. Hopeful, they will find a cure by then. If not: Come this fall, if no cure has been found, if you were Les, would you still offer him the max, at the risk of being over the salary cap for the next seven years for a player you are not sure will be there? If not, how do you approach him about taking less money, or perhaps less years, without alienating him?
If we don't keep Francis, we're back to square one in the rebuilding process. So unless you want to start all over with another "franchise," give him the money.
Yes, I would. They will eventually figure out what's causing the migraines or they will simply disappear as fast as they appeared in his life. If we let him go and he no longer gets the headaches, how stupid would we feel?
If he leaves because the Rockets didnt offer him the max, we all would get migraines for the rest of our lives.
We can only pray they will............ Still, with the migraines, he's played better than half the players in the NBA. give him the MAX.
Sort of reminds me of the Moises Alou situation with the 'Stros for the past couple of seasons. Great player, but will he be able to suit up every game?
I think that's a great question. If the migraines are a permanent condition, it can cause some serious damage to championship aspirations. We do know there is some help: he's doing exercises to help reduce them. But, we don't yet have any real assurance that the problem can be controlled. How stupid would we feel if we traded him and he turned out ok? How stupid would we feel if we maxed him out and he was in and out of the lineup or retired (of course, there is the medical exception)?
I don't think he is worth $90 Mill. I think he should get 6-7 Mill a year for 5-6 years and then resign him to a big contract once he has proven that he can help us win a championship.
The situation is not all that analogous. Alou was expendable because: 1. He was overrated. Nice average... but historically merely decent power #'s and he didn't take many walks, so his OBP wasn't that great. 2. Young talent to replace him - Ward might be a better hitter than Alou... and if he's not, then there's Jason Lane coming up soon as well. The Rockets don't have anyone to replace Francis.
Ummm....no. In todays NBA one does not have to prove that much before getting paid. Have Tracy, Iverson, Hill, Penny, Carter, etc....one championships? No! They all are getting the max. If we dont give Steve the max he will walk. Then there will be plenty of other teams lines up offer him as much as they could.
I think you give Steve Francis the max, without question. He is one of maybe 10 players in the L that can legitimately take over a basketball game with scoring, rebounding, and passing. He's a legit outside threat now which only helps free up his slahing/driving/creating his own shot routine. He is also one of the top 5 dunkers in the leauge. The migraines are an issue but there is a great chance that they can eventually be contained with drugs (he needs to call Mo Taylor (j/k)) or other treatment. Like his nickname, he's a true franchise player and if we have the opportunity to resign him, we should - damn the cost.
To answer the initial question...no, no one is worth 90 million dollars. However, in today's NBA, Steve is absolutly worth the max. Now if we can just get rid of those headaches. DD
