Francis says the Rockets are his team "for the next couple of years"

He meant "our" team as in his and Cat's team, the in his 3rd season Griffin will take over and be the man!

 

Man you guys are reading WAY into everything Francis says. Wasn't Cat and Francis talking about being the new Bad Boys of the NBA just a few days ago? Francis isn't going anywhere. He's going to get the max, he's in a city that loves him, he's playing for a coaching who has won in this league and has the rings to show for it, plays for an organization that is dedicated to winning, and is playing for a young, deep, talented and athletic team. If Willis really does toughen Cato up, by next year the Rockets could have a frontcourt loaded with Morris, Griffin, Cato, Thomas, Mo, and possibly Willis for another year or 2.

 

I read that - and took it completely differently. I was sure, and am still sure that he meant rebuilding is over, and we have good, solid players at every position. We also don't have free agent worries for a while. That's why he said that this will be our team for the next few years.

 

Steve is smart --- he is not going to dig himself a hole that he must eventually climb out of. Why tell everyone that this will be his team for the next ten years when conditions in Houston might eventually cause him to leave for another team. I translated his statement into..."I will be here a few more years, for sure, and then I will not accept a 'hometown discount'...give me the max". If the Rockets do eventually offer the max salary to Steve, and he decides to go elsewhere, then life sucks. He'll deserve the max and we should give him the max, but until then he is only obligated to play a few more years with the Rockets, so why prematurely commit to playing here longer. If Les gets hit in the head with a errant Mobley pass (hahaha), and decides to not offer the max to Steve, then he's probably gone.

I really think that the way Houston accepts the Rockets this season and next will eventually play a huge factor in keeping Steve. Why play in a town where you get the max and have pathetic crowd participation, when you can play for the max in another town that might have fanatical crowds every night? As much as I hate seeing the Rockets play the Utah, Sacramento and Phoenix teams, I hate hearing how loud their fans get during a game. If I were a player, I would love to play in those cities (except maybe Utah) that create such excitement during the game.

Sound off over!

We should turn into a bunch of Dukies. Wear striped polo shirts and jump up and down during every game.

 

nahhh francis is sayin he'll be winning a few rings these next two seasons then he'll retire. duhhh

 

I took it like this:

"This is our team for the next couple of years" - We won't be making many changes, and we're happy with what we've got.

If he had said "This is gonna be my team for the next few years", then that would be bad . . .

 

I gotta agree with Vengeance. I took it as he knows that this is the team for the next three years or so. Rudy and CD are going to give this core a shot to grow together over that time and win a championship. Any changes (trades, etc.) will be to someone outside the core (Steve, Cat, EG, TMo, MoT, Cato?!?) and will be minor. No blockbusters. After about three years, if we haven't won or look close, I think you will see the major retooling at that point, maybe around EG if appropriate. I think that is what Francis is really talking about. A 3 year window to give these guys a chance to bring the championship home.

 

Yeah, I think the emphasis was on This is our team for awhile....

 

I agree with Vengeance as well.

 

everyone calm down

he meant this is our roster for the next few years. no major moves until rice becomes a free agent.

 

why should francis get the max...do like cuttino did...take a paycut so the organization can bring back bullard!!!