Buyouts for Francis, Webber ongoing, and may interest Rox.

True . . . I hate having Padgett on our team as the next guy, but I was mostly looking at what guards we could drop. Bonzi would be my first choice, Snyder second. Then again, being guard heavy might not be that bad.

 

[ New York Daily News] Despite repeated denials, the Knicks and Francis have discussed a buyout, but neither side can agree on how much money it will take to make the veteran guard disappear. A source familiar with the negotiations said that Francis, who is working out in Houston, might yet rejoin the team if a settlement is not reached, but that Francis and the Knicks both believe that a clean break would best serve both parties.

Looks like it might just happen soon...and I am with the pro-francis guys....he can't be worst than rafer on an off night...would be great scoring help off the bench...he would penetrate the lanes... a reunion is Houston would give us some extra fire power to take on the defensive juggernaut Suns. And yes his impact would be more Mike James 2005 than Chucky Atkins.

 

If Francis comes back, the back court would have:

TMac
Head
Rafer
VSpan
Wells
JL3
Snyder
Francis

That's just too crowded -- New York crowdwd. Someone has to go...

TMac -- stay
Head -- stay (clutch 3pt)
Francis -- stay

Here is all gets cloudy...

Rafer -- stay, but move to backup;
JL3 -- stay but out of rotation;
Snyder -- maybe gone... his skill set is overlapping with Francis
Wells/VSpan -- one of them will be gone...

 

I would love to have both play for the Rockets.


Webber

In terms of utility: I'm most impressed with Webber's passing abilities. He would be pretty lethal if utilized in a high screen-and-roll with McGrady. This would also allow Yao to lurke in the post where he's most effective as a defender.

In terms of chemistry: He should get along with everybody especially given the fact that he and Juwan are gay for each other. The only issue is that we couldn't guarantee a starter spot for CWebb.

Francis

In terms of utility: We lack athletes. We need someone who can consistently find his way into the post and soften up defenders. Francis, before his tenure in NY, shot at a decent clip from the field for a guard. We really havent had the chance to see how effective Francis could be with the league's movement towards giving the perimeter player the ultimate advantage. In small doses, a player like Francis could be very effective for the Rockets. Francis can also be very hawkish as a defender.

In terms of chemistry: He knows the Van Gundian system and has a good relationship with Yao, in particular. I'm sure if he were given the opportunity, he would make it a point to show his utility to the Rockets in an effort to stay in the town he often calls "home".


PG: Rafer Alston | Luther Head | JL III
SG: Tracy McGrady | Steve Francis
SF: Shane Battier | Kirk Snyder | Bonzi Wells
PF: Chris Webber | Chuck Hayes | Juwan Howard
CN: Yao Ming | Dikembe Mutombo

IR: Steve Novak, Scott Padgett (Waive), Vassili Spanoulis

 

francis is the PG? hahahahaha wait you're joking right? hahaha

 

this is not fantasy league

 

If he is not, then you will have 4 BACK UP shooting guards:

Head, Wells, Snyder and Francis.

 

couldn't have said it better myself

and an easy no to Webber because he's living in the past.

 

Oh yeah, I forget.

It was only a fantasy league for the 96 Bulls, the 04 Lakers, and 06 Heat.

 

Major points for using "Van Gundian." I wish I'd said it.

 

Oh and it Stern implemented the fantasy league for the 97 Rockets, too.

 

Sorry, the fantasy league comment has got me pretty heated.

Why would it be so ridiculous to picture both Webber and Francis on our team when there are teams that have Jerry Stackhouses coming off the bench, the Michael Finleys, etc?

 

I'm in favor of Webber. He has all the abilities that Van Gundy wants in a PF who can spread the floor with his range and passing. Yes he sucks at defense, but Tmac, Chuck Hayes, and Battier should make up for it. Our defense rating will drop for sure, but our offense rating should more than compensate for it with Webber's skills on the offensive end. Cweb can also fill the backup center role if we go small.

Francis doesn't fit period.

Lineup:
Alston/Head
Tmac/Snyder
Battier/Bonzi
Hayes/Webber
Ming/Deke/Webber

Cweb can either start or come off the bench. Either way he'll get starter minutes and will be an integral part of the team because Hayes is always in foul trouble. We can rest Deke until the playoffs.

 

Webber's kind of game does'nt fit in with the Rockets. He is slow not so effective antmore on defense. I say no to Webber!

 

Getting for SF3 means the NBA titles for Rox, hoping it is going to happen.

 

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/4469305.html from Feigan's NBA Notebook

Francis buyout possible
The Knicks might be open to the idea of buying out Steve Francis' contract, but don't look for Francis to give back much of the $48.7 million left on his contract ($34.2 million after this season).

Francis has been in Houston a little more than a week and has made some progress with the right knee tendinitis that has bothered him.

He could rejoin the team this week.

But the Knicks don't seem to be keeping a light on for him, repeatedly saying they are "whole" again now that their fight suspensions are over, never mind that Francis is a half a country away.

If bought out, Francis would look to rejoin the Rockets, a move the Rockets and Jeff Van Gundy would be open to considering. For now, that buyout looks pricey even for the Knicks.

----------------------------------------------------------------------
Surprised if JVG wanted Francis after they seemed to butt-heads when Stevie was a Rocket.

 

Interesting. Has Francis actually said he would want to come back? If so, and if JVG is willing, I'd want them to take the risk.

 

I keep posting this but people seem to be missing it. Let me try this instead of posting a pic of the chart sorted by PG's each time.

http://www.knickerblogger.net/stats/2007/jh_ALL_PPR.htm

Sort the chart by PPR. PPR is Hollinger's pure point rating - or the effeciency of a player in being a ball distributor. It's a more sophisticated measure vs. the old assist-to-turnover ratio that actually takes that and converts it into a per minute statistic with more meaning.

Notice that Francis as a PPR of a 3.1 which is exactly the same as Alston's currently. Incidently notice that McGrady has a rating of 3.0 and very close to Alston which demonstrates TMac's increased role as a playmaker.

2ndly if you look at the Assist-Ratio (AST-R: assists per 100 possessions) Francis (AST-R: 28.2) is actually superior to that of Alston's (AST-R: 23.6).

This demonstrates 2 key things I think:

(1) Francis this year with the Knicks has demonstrated that he can actually be a playmaker.

(2) On the Rockets the PG's role as a player maker is about as important for the PG to be able to score.

 

im not that much into researching stats, but damn that just says it right there. the guy still has it, he was a perenial allstar and has the brains and skills to mesh with anyone on any team if given the chance. when he was traded, i had childhood heartbreak flashbacks of when sampson was traded. i am a fan of the guy, and he still has a ton of fans in houston .... peoples' argument is his discipline: seriously, who gives a crap if he wanted to watch the superbowl in houston and missed practice. you make a mistake, get reprimanded and go on. last time i checked kobe messed around with a chick in colorado - the lakers are doing just fine. if this turns into a mike finley type deal for the rockets ... they would be just plain stupid not to pick him up. fans not wanting this??? cmon now....

 

Git R Done.