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

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.

Did any of those players tell free agents about their team's great future, about how good they could be together, and get them to sign away the prime of their careers at well under fair value?

Duncan gave no one any guarantees... but can you tell me what big free agent came to San Antonio before 2000 based on Tim Duncan sitting down and talking about the Spurs great future?

Webber strongly looked like he was leaving. Did he sell any young high profile free agents on the Kings, and all but guarantee he would resign and be there in the picture with this future?

Did anyone sign with the Rockets long-term, and for below fair value based on playing with Cuttino Mobley (and him telling them he'd be a Rocket for life)? Yes, I know last summer I thought Cat was being unloyal if he left, because it was the Rockets that gave him his shot, but this is a totally different scenario.

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"

Unfortunately, I'd guess what he says now is more important than what he said a year ago.


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

You shouldn't all but guarantee them that you'd be a part of this "Great Future" you sell them on. Shaq switched teams. Grant Hill switched teams. Tracy McGrady switched teams. Did any of these players, who left via free agency, convince young free agents to sign away the prime of their careers with their old teams? For less than fair value? Did they all but guarantee they would be there forever? Everything Steve has said-- to the papers, SI, etc., has done nothing but lead us to the conclusion that he wanted to sign here forever. His quotes on Cuttino, Mo, and others also seem to believe this. You don't say what he said unless you are damn sure you will hold to it. You don't get Cuttino Mobley to resign for the prime of his career for below fair value if you aren't sure.

 

If you had your way - Steve Francis.

I don't see Cuttino threatening to walk out on him right now, do you?

 

Would you commit to your next 7 years of professional life, 2 years before that time begins? Francis said plenty of good about Houston and the organization, but anything can happen in the next 2 years.

Unless this anything includes Cuttino Mobley and Mo Taylor leaving Houston, he has no excuse for thinking about leaving. If I were in his shoes, I would all but scream to the world that I'm a Rocket for life, and thank Cuttino and Mo big time for their faith in myself and the future together. Honestly, I don't care if every player on the Rockets team leaves in the next two years, and it's just Cuttino, Francis, and a bunch of CBA scrubs. Steve convinced the guy to sign away the prime of his career for well below fair value, on the condition of being able to be a part of this great Rockets future including his best friend Steve Francis. There's no way I don't commit, unless trading Cuttino Mobley (and Mo Taylor) is part of the plan.

 

and so then i take it you will hate Duncan if he bails on SA in 2003 correct???

Who has signed a long-term deal with the Spurs on the condition of playing alongside Tim Duncan?

so we all should expect our leader to commit to us before he has to and risk crucifixation by the press

I'd say displaying loyalty and proper respect to your own players and the league is more important than what the press says or thinks.

Once again, i take it you believe a great player shouldnt convince other good players to play with him if he isnt sure he will stay longterm, is that correct

I don't think they should get other players to sign away the prime of their careers on the condition of playing with that great player, if they aren't sure they will stay long-term. Well, I should rephrase that a little. I think he should've at least let Cuttino Mobley know that this was a possibility. However, based on that Rocket for life quote you brought up, and other quotes from him, Cuttino, etc., I don't think he ever said anything like this.


As for the quote i referenced, yes its over a year ago, but I Challenge any of you overreactors to find me Credible Evidence were it clearly states Steve doesnt like it here or isnt sure he wants to stay, other than these quotes, because that quote i referenced reinforces my point, now back up your side if you can.

I'm not saying he doesn't like it here. But those direct quotes from tonight show that he isn't sure, and if he isn't, I've lost a lot of respect for the guy, even if he resigns. After the sacrifices Cuttino went through to resign based on what Steve said... you don't even think about walking.