1. Welcome! Please take a few seconds to create your free account to post threads, make some friends, remove a few ads while surfing and much more. ClutchFans has been bringing fans together to talk Houston Sports since 1996. Join us!

Francis "not sure" how he'd react to an extension with Rockets

Discussion in 'Houston Rockets: Game Action & Roster Moves' started by The Cat, Sep 7, 2001.

Tags:
Page 1 of 8
  1. The Cat

    The Cat Member

    Joined:
    Jan 24, 2000
    Messages:
    20,823
    Likes Received:
    5,365
    Un*******believable. If he deserted the Rockets, after luring Cuttino, Mo, and numerous other players to longterm contracts (selling them on how good they can be together), we might be looking at Quitten part 2. It appears we might have been wrong about him having changed his character...

    http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/story.hts/sports/bk/bkn/1039542

    Francis, 24, said he was not sure how he would react should the Rockets offer a long-term deal similar to the maximum contracts that this summer locked up Vince Carter, Antawn Jamison, Paul Pierce and Dirk Nowitzki, the stars of the previous draft class.

    "I like Houston a lot," Francis said. "It'll have to be how I feel then. I definitely like Houston. I like the team, and I like the coaching staff. But there will be a lot to look at at that time."

    The Rockets will have exclusive rights to negotiate with Francis next summer on a deal to begin after the 2002-2003 season. If they don't reach a deal, the Rockets could still match any offer Francis received as a free agent.

    "It would be something I would like if it comes along," Francis said. "It would be a good opportunity to see if we're in good shape. I know we're going in the right direction, and everybody is on the same page. But I just want to win. That's the main thing. I already make a lot of money. I hate watching other teams in the playoffs. I hate going home for the summer early. I hate that they don't even talk about our team. That's going to be the main thing."

    Francis, the 1999-2000 co-Rookie of the Year, has averaged 19 points, 6.1 rebounds, 6.5 assists and 1.65 steals in two seasons with the Rockets. His scoring average is tied for sixth in Rockets history. Francis last season was the only NBA player to lead his team in points, rebounds and assists, and he became the first Rocket ever to do so.

    Though he, too, would not say how Francis would respond to a maximum contract offer, his agent, Jeff Fried, said he would expect that sort of proposal.

    "We would very much look forward to receiving that offer," Fried said. "The maximum contract is something Steve definitely deserves. But I can't tell you today if a year from now Steve would accept it."
     
    #1 The Cat, Sep 7, 2001
  2. Manny Ramirez

    Manny Ramirez The Music Man

    Joined:
    Jul 31, 2001
    Messages:
    28,800
    Likes Received:
    5,745
    So, he doesn't want a long-term contract because he doesn't like sitting at home when the playoffs start. Yet, Paul Pierce and Antawn Jamison does. Am I missing something here??:confused:
     
    #2 Manny Ramirez, Sep 8, 2001
  3. Tolpatcsh Verkinder

    Tolpatcsh Verkinder Member

    Joined:
    Jul 5, 2001
    Messages:
    482
    Likes Received:
    0
    I can't believe that a 24-yr old isn't sure how he would react to making the biggest financial decision of his life.

    No one else in his class has committed, why should he spend time worrying about things that can't be taken care of a year in advance?
     
    #3 Tolpatcsh Verkinder, Sep 8, 2001
  4. j-bone

    j-bone Member

    Joined:
    Mar 20, 2001
    Messages:
    251
    Likes Received:
    0
    Let's just hope that this is something his agent has told him to say just to see what teams may be interested. It's just business as usual....I hope:confused:
     
    #4 j-bone, Sep 8, 2001
  5. heypartner

    heypartner Member

    Joined:
    Oct 27, 1999
    Messages:
    63,510
    Likes Received:
    59,002
    alright....what is the **** up with this!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    Mobley sacrifices his whole career at underpay!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    .....man! I am freaking speechless.
     
    #5 heypartner, Sep 8, 2001
  6. The Cat

    The Cat Member

    Joined:
    Jan 24, 2000
    Messages:
    20,823
    Likes Received:
    5,365
    Something called loyalty, perhaps?

    Cuttino Mobley signed for way below market value to stay in Houston, based on what Steve said they could do together, and how the team could grow.

    Mo Taylor came here from the Clips instead of Seattle based on Steve's unbelievable selling power on the future of the team. He also signed a long-term deal.

    We drafted Terence Morris to a large extent because Steve wanted us to take the chance.

    Cuttino and Mo Taylor invested their careers in the Houston Rockets, to a large extent based on Steve Francis, and what was pretty much a given that he would stay here forever. In an SI article, he said he'd sign a lifetime contract with the Rockets. If he really thinks this, and would've been honest from the start, I highly doubt Cuttino or Mo would be here right now. They had other opportunities. But to sell them on the future of a team, have them sign a long-term deal, and then just walk out... that's pretty selfish, imho.
     
    #6 The Cat, Sep 8, 2001
  7. SamCassell

    SamCassell Member

    Joined:
    Feb 14, 1999
    Messages:
    9,496
    Likes Received:
    2,348
    Some people are overreacting just a little. Wow - a guy who can't even sign an extension for another season isn't ready to commit to signing that new extension yet. And he wants to win! The horror...
     
    #7 SamCassell, Sep 8, 2001
  8. Tolpatcsh Verkinder

    Tolpatcsh Verkinder Member

    Joined:
    Jul 5, 2001
    Messages:
    482
    Likes Received:
    0
    How has Steve not shown his loyalty? By not jumping blindly into the biggest financial decision of his life? How would you react, would sign a contract without considering other options, its one thing to be loyal, another to be stupid about it.

    But not before seriously considering Toronto - what an unloyal jackass. Of course, the fact that he knew RudyT would give him practically carte blanche in the offense couldn't hurt.

    Mo came here because there was nowhere else left go go.

    I don't care how important Steve Francis is, no way do Carroll Dawson or Rudy Tomjanovich spend a first-round pick to placate one player.

    Bah. A given that he would stay here forever?!? That's insane. In my opinion, you are reading entirely too much into the words of a 24-yr old who in one year will make the biggest financial decision of his life. Its entirely natural to want to explore your options.
     
    #8 Tolpatcsh Verkinder, Sep 8, 2001
  9. Achebe

    Achebe Member

    Joined:
    Oct 26, 1999
    Messages:
    6,237
    Likes Received:
    3
    You mess w/ the bull you get the horns.
     
    #9 Achebe, Sep 8, 2001
  10. Francis3

    Francis3 Member

    Joined:
    Mar 29, 1999
    Messages:
    3,640
    Likes Received:
    4
    I dont blame him for the comments he is making. He is a winner, he wants to start winning some games and head to the playoffs. Basically he is saying that Kenny cant do it at the 4 and we will be lottery.


    Seriously tell you the truth, I will be surprised if Rockets make playoffs with Kenny starting the 4. I hope we can find a way to get Anthony Mason.
     
    #10 Francis3, Sep 8, 2001
  11. The Cat

    The Cat Member

    Joined:
    Jan 24, 2000
    Messages:
    20,823
    Likes Received:
    5,365

    How has Steve not shown his loyalty? By not jumping blindly into the biggest financial decision of his life? How would you react, would sign a contract without considering other options, its one thing to be loyal, another to be stupid about it.

    If I had gotten other players to sign with my team based on me being there long-term and the potential we had together, I wouldn't even consider thinking about leaving.

    But not before seriously considering Toronto - what an unloyal jackass. Of course, the fact that he knew RudyT would give him practically carte blanche in the offense couldn't hurt.

    Did Cuttino Mobley's presence and talk of a great future lead to any free agents signing away their career here to play with him?


    Mo came here because there was nowhere else left go go.

    Seattle was offering the same deal we were, and also had cap room this summer.

    Its entirely natural to want to explore your options.

    Not if you get your best friend to sign away the prime of his career to play with you at well below fair value.
     
    #11 The Cat, Sep 8, 2001
  12. E.J. Tucker

    E.J. Tucker Member

    Joined:
    Oct 2, 1999
    Messages:
    350
    Likes Received:
    0
    What team, that is a contender, can pay him more then the Rockets? I know it is not about money and I have heard that crap before.
     
    #12 E.J. Tucker, Sep 8, 2001
  13. gettinbranded

    gettinbranded Member

    Joined:
    Jul 1, 2000
    Messages:
    1,793
    Likes Received:
    0
    Sounds like he's not yet convinced the Rockets will have the kind of team he wants to play for...

    Y'all think rebuilding is going ok...but the main man ain't convinced yet...
     
    #13 gettinbranded, Sep 8, 2001
  14. DVauthrin

    DVauthrin Member

    Joined:
    Nov 4, 1999
    Messages:
    9,649
    Likes Received:
    8,002
    Crispee/other over reacters, go grab a drink and calm down

    Did you just happen to miss the part of the quotes where he said i like Houston a lot, etc...plus remember the SI article a yr ago-"Id sign a lifetime extension to be rocket"

    First off to any who bring up the Vancouver thing, im not going to repeatedly rehash this but he wanted to be a PG, they had bibby so he told stu the "moron" jackson not to draft him, but did he listen???

    Second, if you were an highly sought after free agent a year before you hit the market you say im definitely saying-guess what, you likely wouldnt because if certain things happened and you had to leave you would be crucified in the press.

    Lets compare him to many other high profile free agents, did duncan tell SA a yr before his free agency, im definitely staying-NO, Chris Webber-NO, Mobley-NO, etc.

    Unless you can find me some credible evidence besides the quotes that Steve doesnt like Houston and wants out i suggest you calm down a bit

    Finally, so you shouldnt attract good free agents to play with you if you arent sure you will stay with that organization forever????

    Thats asinine, every player wants to win and keeping good talent around you helps you achieve it, plus good organizations like the Rockets have the final say in player personnel decisions even though the players may have some input
     
    #14 DVauthrin, Sep 8, 2001
  15. gettinbranded

    gettinbranded Member

    Joined:
    Jul 1, 2000
    Messages:
    1,793
    Likes Received:
    0
    Stats aside, thats the reputation Mr. Stevie has around the league.
     
    #15 gettinbranded, Sep 8, 2001
  16. Tolpatcsh Verkinder

    Tolpatcsh Verkinder Member

    Joined:
    Jul 5, 2001
    Messages:
    482
    Likes Received:
    0
    And if I was signing with a team, I wouldn't expect a player entering free agency to blindly resign without considering his options. And I also wouldn't expect a 24-yr old to know how he'd react to making the biggest financial decision of his life one year in advance.

    If you had your way - Steve Francis.

    We were offering a starting job, Seattle was not. Not quite the same deal.

    You think it was only Steve Francis that coerced Mobley to resign here? He looked at the options, and decided that Houston was the best place for him. Francis in a year will likely do the same, but to expect a young man to know how he'd react to making one of the biggest decisions of his life is too much.

    The fact is, these are pretty much standard free-agent-to-be statments, probably not indicative of his true preference, to read too much into them is to be lead astray.
     
    #16 Tolpatcsh Verkinder, Sep 8, 2001
  17. boomboom

    boomboom I GOT '99 PROBLEMS

    Joined:
    Sep 29, 1999
    Messages:
    12,764
    Likes Received:
    9,413
    He's giving the standard reply (probably as per his agent). Today's athletes will not latch themselves to the cities where they play. Look at Kevin Garnett. Similar situation. Steve is the franchise's future. I'm sure Les will take care of him when the time comes.

    Stern...stop giving him T's for slapping the backboard after a dunk. It's just not polite.
     
    #17 boomboom, Sep 8, 2001
  18. Tolpatcsh Verkinder

    Tolpatcsh Verkinder Member

    Joined:
    Jul 5, 2001
    Messages:
    482
    Likes Received:
    0
    The only supporters of this reputation are morons, idiots and nitwits, please try not to find yourself anyone of these categories.
     
    #18 Tolpatcsh Verkinder, Sep 8, 2001
  19. gettinbranded

    gettinbranded Member

    Joined:
    Jul 1, 2000
    Messages:
    1,793
    Likes Received:
    0
    Mobley aside, those players returned to contending playoff teams. They have a chance to get to the second round and beyond.

    Come the second round, Stevie and this team will be the same place as my Bulls.
     
    #19 gettinbranded, Sep 8, 2001
  20. gettinbranded

    gettinbranded Member

    Joined:
    Jul 1, 2000
    Messages:
    1,793
    Likes Received:
    0
    Name calling is evidence of a weak mind...


    Lots of morons, idiots and nitwits in the media, in the league, and watching on tv and in the stands...
     
    #20 gettinbranded, Sep 8, 2001
(You must log in or sign up to post here.)
Page 1 of 8

Share This Page