Im still confident that this deal will go through, eventually, yet, have been obsessed with thinking about the what ifs. If this deal was to have fallen apart because Orlando and Houston just couldnt agree to terms, then I would feel much better about than if the deal were to fall apart based on Steve's comments. So if this trade doesn't go through because of Steve's demans/wishes and/or Orlando's cold feet, what would the reprocussions be??? Would the fans and Rockets management be willing to welcome Steve back??? Because I listen to 610 frequently and browse this BBS, I would have to say that Steve's relationship with the fans would be beyond repair. I stated in another thread that I would still root for him, because I am a Rockets fan and want to see our team do well. However, I will have lost respect for him somewhat because I believe he is sabotaging this deal to get what he wants (even though hes not entitled to that). From a PR standpoint, this would be a nightmare for the Rockets and their spin team. The media here, as nice as they are most of the time, would probably tear Francis to shreads. Would the fans and Rockets management be willing to welcome Cat and Kato (Cato) back? Absolutely IMO. Its obvious that they are just bargaining chips/filler here. You have to give up something to get something. Pawns if you will. Furthermore, although Cat is obviously disappointed (haven't heard Cato's opinion .....nobody seems to care anyway), the way he has handled it has been better than anybody could expect. Would the Rockets still be able to deal Francis in another trade and get what they feel is equal value? Probably not. Since it is now known that Steve wants to play for a playoff contender (i.e. he will do the same thing hes doing now if we try and trade him to a lower tier team), and since a good # of playoff contenders, arguably, have their PG position set and aren't looking to upgrade, our trading partners are severly limited. The # is even less if you consider the high probability that the Rockets would prefer not to deal him within the division, or even the conference. How will this affect Yao and Steve's friendship?? I don't think it really would. Although Yao has endorsed the deal, he is "coporate" and all about being a yes man and a team player. THat doesn't mean that Steve might not feel slighted by the big guy. How will this affect Steve and JVG's relationship?? Despite what both say, that their relationship is solid, most of us feel that, at best, it was strained this season. JVG came out at seasons end and in so many words, said he wouldn't be looking to trade SF. Will Steve take this as JVG going back on his word?? Many more questions to think about obviously. What do you guys think??
Codell, you make good points. I do agree with your assessments I wish I shared your optimism! I am a pretty positive person in general and do think on the brightside of things, but this one trade really has me thinking negative right now. I dont like how we havent heard anything from the Rockets. And I dont trust Orlando management and their GM. Agreed. I wouldnt be as upset if we tried to get into the sweepstakes and just didnt have the best offer. But for us to get THIS FAR and it not work out is just cruel and unusal punishment! And then to add in where it could be Francis big friggin mouth that causes it to blow up. That would be the ultimate blow! I will admit that I back Francis a lot. But if this deal goes down (because of Francis whining) I can't anymore. And that will be sad
There may be one non-contender SF3 might consider, and that is Washington. That means we go back to the Steve for Kwame Brown, Steve Blake, perhaps #5 and a bad contract. I'd be disappointed in not doing the McGrady deal, but at least we would not lose our depth and would shore up our PG and PF needs.
Would this deal not coming off be a reflection on CD as a GM?? Many will blame him because its obvious he told Steve's agent, who started this whole mess. As Jeff said yesterday, the Rockets would set a bad precedent for themselves by not communicating with agents. The Rockets are obviously being tight lipped about the trade details and it would appear the CD is doing everything he can and by the book. So no. I don't think it would be. Francis is his big bargaining chip here and he is taking himself off the table, or at least, trying to.
Never say never. We won a title after a botched Horry trade. Maybe this would light a fire under Steve, to play in such a way that he takes away any desire in the future by the Rockets to trade him.
I think it was much easier to welcome back Horry because his wishes/desires didn't weren't a factor in the trade not happening.
I wouldnt have told Francis. Setting a bad precident? The Magic are setting a bad precident RIGHT NOW by backing out of an agreed upon deal. They are HOLDING us up! Think other teams are not going to deal with the Magic because of that? Think again! They dont care, they want McGrady and will go to any lengths necessary to get him. We should do the same (which includes keeping Francis in the dark).
1. I doubt the fans or I would welcome Steve back under those conditions. It would take a lot of making up and contriteness on Steve's part before I could really be a fan of his again. 2. Cat and Cato would be welcomed back in major fashion. 3. I doubt another team would really want Francis under those circumstances. A trade would still be possible depending how little we were willing to take in return. 4. I doubt it would have a major effect on their friendship. I think they would leave the business end of things out of it. 5. I have no clue. I think a lot depends on how big of a desire JVG had and how much influence he had in the trade to begin with. A lot would also depend on the work and attitude Steve would have when he came back.
not to mention the fact that Steve's agent has talked about how it would be hard for him to come back, that he would be "scarred" by the whole thing.
Then what happens when the details come out (like they did here), and Francis finds out about the trade by watching ESPN or reading the paper, or by a friend calling him and saying "dude, what's up? You're getting traded?" I'll tell you what- he gets even more angry and stubborn than he is now, and with much better reason. Plus the rep of Houston management with players (i.e. free agents, players thinking about re-signing) is ruined. It's just not an option to not tell the players involved in a deal like this. They knew the expansion draft would slow things, they knew the BYC status would slow things, so they knew details would leak before the trade was finalized. It just didn't make sense to not come clean with the players involved beforehand. the problem is purely Steve's response.
If this doesn't happen we will be shafted to the max Because for all the media to strongly report on this trade it had to be close to a done deal. That means we were jilted at the altar for one of the best trades in history. TMac was almost a Rocket is horrid. a. Steve's agent really put pressure on an already hard nose GM b. Steve made comments that made it look worse in the Orlando press c. Other teams were given last minute hope to get there deal back going. True Orlando leaked the trade to media, But also Steve's agents leaked the trade, made it public because Steve doesn't want to go to Orlando. So in the strictest sense, Steve (at least if he has contact with his agents) did what he could to kill the deal. Fine, he has a right to try and kill the deal. But as a Rocket fan, I feel like someone just took away the best thing that could have happened this offseason (who would have thought McGrady a Rocket at the end of the season?) and twisted the dagger by giving us back our problem child with more baggage than we can handle. If anyone thinks we are going to get value for Steve in some other deal, I don't. I don't think Steve or the Rockets want to endure what next season will be like between him and Van Gundy after this fiasco. If the McGrady deal doesn't happen we can all just take the shaft and smile.
Not to mention that Horry was a role player compared to aruably our best player....and Elliot was also a role player...not one of the top 5 players in the league.
If ifs and buts were candy and nuts, we'd be set in the candy and nut department. Don't worry, be happy. We're elite now. No way we keep Francis, especially after this. This trade falling through is wishful thinking on the national medias part. Nothin else.
You have to believe that Steve's comments really colored the Orlando fans/media swimming pool. The backlash has been huge, which is making it easier for other teams to come in with another deal (perhaps weaker) consisting of players who say "happy to be here."
yeah..but if this is the deal they've made then they're setting a bad precedent by allowing a player under contract keep it from happening. francis isn't the first player every to say he didn't want to play for the team he was traded to.
This is an interesting point. Its not the first. But out of all the other times this has happened, was the player able to go back to playing for his original team and be accepted and successful??
