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(Memphis Paper) Veteran Steve Francis ready to tutor young Grizzlies

Discussion in 'NBA Dish' started by DcProWLer277, Jan 4, 2009.

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  1. DcProWLer277

    DcProWLer277 Rookie

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    "Where's the Franchise?"

    Those were the playful locker-room jabs at Steve Francis' delayed arrival to Memphis after he was traded here on Dec. 24. It may have taken nearly 10 seasons and a couple of missed flights over the past week -- but Francis has finally joined the Grizzlies.

    History isn't lost on the 6-3 guard, either.

    "It's at two different points in my career," Francis said of returning to the organization he refused to play for after it made him the second overall pick in 1999.

    "At the beginning of my career, I was immature about a lot of different things. Having a family helped me mature. Hopefully, I'll get an opportunity to play here and kind of teach some of the younger guys some of the things I've learned in my 10 years."

    Francis, of course, forced a trade to Houston almost a decade ago. He never wore a Grizzly uniform. He still may not don their colors. Are there any minutes available aside from the cursory ones Greg Buckner receives?

    "We haven't touched on it," Francis said of his conversations with coaches and management regarding a role with the Grizzlies.

    But Francis, 31, insists he wants to be part of Memphis' full-blown youth movement.

    "It can help me stay young," Francis said. "I've seen a lot of stuff throughout my career. Hopefully, we'll work things out."

    So why didn't the situation in Houston work out?

    "There was no personal thing with the coach," Francis said, referring to Rick Adelman. "They just couldn't find space for me once I got my knee healthy. I respect that. They were moving in a different direction, so we both decided to part ways."

    If Francis never dribbles the basketball in a regular-season game for the Griz, the reunion will have been fruitful figuratively and financially. If Francis had played his otherwise stellar NBA career in Vancouver like he was supposed to, the Griz would never have moved to Memphis.

    Plus, insiders claim Houston sent $3 million along with the 2009 second-round pick. That more than covers what remains on Francis' $2.6 million salary for this season.

    Francis' contract also expires after this season, meaning the Griz won't compromise room under the salary cap.

    Memphis should be glad the Franchise is here.


    http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2009/jan/04/francis-ready-to-tutor-young-grizzlies/

    Still waiting to see his first game...and still waiting to see if we made the right decision.
     
    #1 DcProWLer277, Jan 4, 2009
  2. krnxsnoopy

    krnxsnoopy Member

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    So we send Memphis back the 2010 2nd round pick we got from the Rudy Gay trade, which is basically a low 1st rounder + $3 million in cash + Francis

    For what?

    A protected 2nd round pick for 2011? I don't get it.
     
    #2 krnxsnoopy, Jan 4, 2009
  3. heypartner

    heypartner Member

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    Les paid the Grizzlies $3m? So, now the Grizzlies could cut him at no loss, and we could sign him back for the minimum after 30 days! woo hoo. Or is that a loop hole that Stern needs to close?
     
    #3 heypartner, Jan 4, 2009
  4. worzel gummidge

    worzel gummidge Member

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    http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2009/jan/03/griz-say-francis-about-to-report/
     
    #4 worzel gummidge, Jan 4, 2009
  5. krnxsnoopy

    krnxsnoopy Member

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    #5 krnxsnoopy, Jan 4, 2009
  6. Dave_78

    Dave_78 Member

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    For Steve to be so diplomatic when he talks about the situation here and him not playing it let's me know that even he knows he has nothing left in the tank. If he thought he had anything to offer a team he would be screaming from the roof tops about how Adelman had a personal vendetta against him and now he will show the world that he is still the Franchise.
     
    #6 Dave_78, Jan 4, 2009
  7. worzel gummidge

    worzel gummidge Member

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    The protected pick might have been something so the league would approve the deal. To me it sugests the Rockets didn't care what they got back or if they got anything back. It's a clear salary dump by the Rockets.
     
    #7 worzel gummidge, Jan 4, 2009
  8. ayears

    ayears Member

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    Francis becomes mature to say so... would be great to see him still playing on the court especially after cat retired, appreciate all fun he had brought to us; I wish he could play longer, at least he would not retire in Memphis.
     
    #8 ayears, Jan 4, 2009
  9. Shroopy2

    Shroopy2 Member

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    I saw it like that a little... Plus the whole veterans "mentoring" young players thing gets overstated. Not saying players dont help, but the majority of players 35 and younger are still looking to play. Kurt Warner and Kerry Collins aint mentoring jack. For Francis to sound like an old content Juwan Howard means he's got nothing better to do than do some NBA traveling.

    As with McGrady (that guy again), I similarly think if he COULD he would play at a high level, but there's nothing physically there now. But we got 8 pages of GARM for that....
     
    #9 Shroopy2, Jan 5, 2009
  10. Angkor Wat

    Angkor Wat Member

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    Really? Is it not possible that Francis is professional and understands that basketball is also a business? He's been through all that b****ing,whining and screaming. When he got traded, he even praised the guards if front of him saying they were playing great (and they were) and made it hard for coaches to find time for him. Not to mention that this is the Rockets. He's not going to bad mouth our team. Obviously he still wants to come here if they would want him. ;)
     
    #10 Angkor Wat, Jan 5, 2009
  11. v3.0

    v3.0 Member

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    Daryl Morey has washed his hands of his 2 blunders, signing Mike James and signing Steve Francis. He doesn't want to make the same mistake twice.
     
    #11 v3.0, Jan 5, 2009
  12. Illmatic

    Illmatic Member

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    i love Francis to death, but those two words sound extra weird when spoken together. "Francis" and "Tutor".
     
    #12 Illmatic, Jan 5, 2009
  13. denniscd

    denniscd Member

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    he could only teach someone what not to do!!!!!!!!!!!!
     
    #13 denniscd, Jan 5, 2009
  14. Tom Bombadillo

    Tom Bombadillo Member

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    Yes! Do not be an allstar! Or lead your team in Points, Rebounds, and Assists!!!!! Whatever you do!!!!!
     
    #14 Tom Bombadillo, Jan 5, 2009
  15. asianballa23

    asianballa23 Member

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    basically the rockets think francis is not better than either head, wafer or brooks, that's why he couldnt get any minutes.
     
    #15 asianballa23, Jan 5, 2009
  16. uci

    uci Member

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    seriously... I think Francis can still ball if he really wants to
     
    #16 uci, Jan 5, 2009
  17. EbolaScola

    EbolaScola Member

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    I still don't believe Luther is any better than Stevie. That guy can't even throw the ball inbounds without turning it over.
     
    #17 EbolaScola, Jan 6, 2009
  18. Rockets9495

    Rockets9495 Member

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    People don't understand how bad he could be towards young players at this point. Don't let this guy near mayo or gay.
     
    #18 Rockets9495, Jan 6, 2009
  19. H-town_playa2k2

    H-town_playa2k2 Rookie

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    #19 H-town_playa2k2, Jan 14, 2009
  20. The_Yoyo

    The_Yoyo Member

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    if that is that case i would be happy again i dont know if there will be that 30 day rule though usually most buyouts happen within a day or two of the trade. maybe

    is the 30 days from the day of the buyout or the date of the trade? if its date of trade then it would only be a few weeks till the rockets could possibly resign him. i understand the $ reason for trading francis i just dont like how it went down something wasn't right
     
    #20 The_Yoyo, Jan 14, 2009
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