i apologize if this has been posted im just getting around to looking at papers.. heres a blurb http://www.floridatoday.com/!NEWSROOM/062504dentonmagic.htm And contrary to several reports, Francis apparently won’t be traded out of Orlando when the Magic-Rockets deal becomes official likely either tonight or Saturday.
Here's the article, for those who want to read it. The first part has pictures of Francis, Mobes and Cato next to the stats. June 25, 2004 Magic trade involving McGrady a step closer Orlando's GM speaks with Houston's Steve Francis By John Denton FLORIDA TODAY NEW YORK - All-star guard Steve Francis spoke with Orlando general manager John Weisbrod for more than 20 minutes Thursday night, bringing his imminent trade to the Magic for Tracy McGrady one step further. Trading block The Orlando Magic and Houston Rockets could be near a blockbuster deal that would send Tracy McGrady, among others, to the Rockets. Here is a look at three players who could be dealt to the Magic: Steve Francis Team: Houston Position: Guard Height: 6-3 College: Maryland Year Ppg. Rpg. Apg. 03-04 16.6 5.5 6.2 02-03 21.0 6.2 6.2 01-02 21.6 7.0 6.4 00-01 19.9 5.3 6.5 99-00 18.0 5.3 6.6 Cuttino Mobley Team: Houston Position: Guard Height: 6-4 College: Rhode IslandY Year Ppg. Rpg. Apg. 03-04 15.8 4.5 3.2 02-03 17.5 4.2 2.8 01-02 21.7 4.1 2.5 00-01 19.5 5.0 2.5 99-00 15.8 3.6 2.6 98-99 9.9 2.3 2.5 Kelvin Cato Team: Houston Position: Forward Height: 6-11 College: Iowa State Year PPG Rpg. Bpg. 03-04 6.1 6.8 1.39 02-03 4.5 5.9 1.16 01-02 6.6 7.0 1.27 00-01 4.7 4.0 0.86 99-00 8.7 6.0 1.91 98-99 3.5 3.5 1.30 97-98 3.8 3.4 1.27 And contrary to several reports, Francis apparently won’t be traded out of Orlando when the Magic-Rockets deal becomes official likely either tonight or Saturday. ``It is our understanding that the Magic want Steve to be their starting point guard come opening night next season,’’ said Jeff Fried, Francis’ agent. Weisbrod stopped short of saying that the deal with the Rockets is close, stressing that the Magic are ``still looking at all of our options.’’ Weisbrod said earlier in the week that the Magic were talking trade with seven teams, the most serious of them being Houston, Phoenix, Indiana and Miami. The trade with the Rockets would involve the Magic shipping McGrady, Juwan Howard and Tyronn Lue - Orlando’s three most productive starters last season - to Houston for Francis, shooting guard Cuttino Mobley and center Kelvin Cato. ``I couldn't say we're closer to anything but this was a good first step,’’ Weisbrod said. ``I do like the determination and conviction I hear from Steve.’’ Determining Francis’ state of mind was important to Weisbrod after the all-star guard initially balked at wanting to play in Orlando. Both Fried and Weisbrod said that Francis’ initial reaction was more his frustration of having to leave Houston than it was about going to Orlando. ``In a weird sort of way I kind of liked it because it told me the guy was loyal to his team,’’ Weisbrod said. ``He’s been in Houston for five seasons and he’s battled with those guys and given his blood, sweat and tears. His reaction was better than getting some guy who just got on a flight and moved on to the next city without any emotion.’’ The deal might not be final, but McGrady’s illustrious career in Orlando is almost a thing of the past. The 6-foot-8, 210-pound guard fulfilled the promise of the $93 million contract the Magic bestowed upon him four years ago when he was but a prospect. He blossomed into the game’s most lethal offensive weapon in Orlando, reaching four all-star games and winning two scoring championships. He averaged 32.1 points in 2002-03 and 28 points per game this past season, including a dazzling 62-point performance. The impetus for McGrady’s departure rests with whom you want to believe. The Magic have made it known that McGrady has been restless for months and said that he told owner Rich DeVos last week that he no longer wanted to play in Orlando. McGrady has had few public comments on the matter, but he said that he felt as if he was being pushed out of Orlando. One potential holdup in the deal could be McGrady’s agreement with the Rockets that he will sign a new seven-year contract following next season. McGrady can opt out of his contract this time next summer and Houston wants some assurance from McGrady that it will be able to keep him for more than just one season. ``We’ve had discussions (with McGrady’s agent, Arn Tellem) about what kind of teams we’d be talking to about a trade and what the prerequisites would be,’’ Weisbrod said. ``What we ended up with was this deal, and the prudent thing to do was to move forward. There’s nothing for the (new contract) to be contingent on right now. We haven’t discussed (a new contract).’’ What was discussed in the early hours of today was Francis’ arrival in Orlando. The Magic shelved all trade talks Wednesday and Thursday while they focused on their first pick in the NBA Draft, a selection they used to nab phenom forward Dwight Howard. But Weisbrod and Fried restarted conversations late Thursday and eventually Francis was put in contact with Weisbrod. The Magic’s new general manager discussed his strategies for rebuilding a team that sunk to a dismal 21-61 record last season. And Francis apparently came away impressed enough to tell Weisbrod that he would welcome a trade. ``It’s fair to say that he was very impressed with what John had to say,’’ Fried said. ``They have similar philosophies on winning and how a team should work.’’ Said Weisbrod: ``I felt like our personalities meshed.’’ The Magic entered the offseason with 10 players under contract, something that made Weisbrod’s rebuilding plan all the more difficult. But after Thursday’s work there is the potential that the Magic will have five new starters next season. Francis and Mobley have long since been one of the league’s most dynamic backcourts, while Cato had one of the finest seasons of his career at center this past year. Dwight Howard could move right into the starting lineup at power forward, while a healthy Grant Hill might return as the centerpiece small forward. ``I look at it as a positive first step and I look forward to speaking with them again,’’ Weisbrod said. ``We could still go in another direction with this, but I do like what I heard.’’ http://www.floridatoday.com/!NEWSROOM/062504dentonmagic.htm
Good find. You know what, I'm guessing that's what that headline was about late last night. They obviously knew something. Also, I can understand the Magic wanting to hold off on announcing the trade so their #1 draft pick can have his day in the sun.
Yea it was posted in the "AP: Rockets' Francis OK with going to Orlando" thread but it quickly turned into a big argument about other things.
IMO, the most important notes from this article... ``It is our understanding that the Magic want Steve to be their starting point guard come opening night next season,’’ said Jeff Fried, Francis’ agent. ``I couldn't say we're closer to anything but this was a good first step,’’ Weisbrod said. ``I do like the determination and conviction I hear from Steve.’’ One potential holdup in the deal could be McGrady’s agreement with the Rockets that he will sign a new seven-year contract following next season. McGrady can opt out of his contract this time next summer and Houston wants some assurance from McGrady that it will be able to keep him for more than just one season. ``We’ve had discussions (with McGrady’s agent, Arn Tellem) about what kind of teams we’d be talking to about a trade and what the prerequisites would be,’’ Weisbrod said. ``What we ended up with was this deal, and the prudent thing to do was to move forward. There’s nothing for the (new contract) to be contingent on right now. We haven’t discussed (a new contract).’’ ``I look at it as a positive first step and I look forward to speaking with them again,’’ Weisbrod said. ``We could still go in another direction with this, but I do like what I heard.’’ That one quote - "What we ended up with was this deal, and the prudent thing to do was to move forward." - is a HUGE clue as to where we are as if we needed any clues.
That's what jumped out at me, Jeff. Nice to get something out of that damn rag after refreshing it about 6 thousand times last night.
LOL! You know people kept hitting the refresh button: ":click: :click: "I think that's something new :click: :click: "The! The word The is there, it wasn't there before!" :click: :click: "The deal is hap. . .happe. . .damnit!" :click: :click: "OH MY GOD THEY'RE GOING TO TRADE WITH PHOENIX. . .oh wait that's the draft" :click: :click:.
did you guy watch the interview with jeff van gundy last night on the draft,that guy aint getting no sleep either!somethin goin down other than his draft choice!the espn guys were sayin somethin about that too!
I thought it was funny when JVG said " hey, the Astros traded for Beltran today." and the ESPN guys just laughed and gave that little "wink, wink, nudge, nudge" look & said lets hold you over for Sportcenter.
lol smoothie! I don't know, when is the last time Van Gundy DID look like he had gotten a good night's rest? Even when he was doing color commentating he looked like he hadn't slept in days! Seriously, he did look and act strange. Jeff Van Gundy was in a REAL good mood which shocked the heck out of me!
Van Gundy probably wants to kill Weisbrod right now. This guy is in way over his head. I understand negotiation and trying to get the best deal for your team, but Weisbrod backed himself in the corner a long time ago. I love it how he pretty much says that T-Mac is going to Houston, and then says that they are still weighing their options.
Exactly. It's like a car salesman working out a deal with you, agreeing to it but then saying "look, I agreed to sale you the car and I know you like it, but there are other people who like the car and I need to check it out. It is your car, but I need to weigh my options."
Don't we all share a similar philosophy on winning? Weisbrod: I think winning is good. Francis: Me too. It's kind of scary that Weisbrod and Francis have similar views on the way a team should work. Magic 2004/2005 : The year of bungled trades and dribbling out the shot clock. In all seriousness, my impression is that Francis is genuinely a nice person. It turned out that we wasn't the exact fit we needed under a new system, that's all. I wish him all the best in Orlando.
