I'm fairly certain Francis' problems with the Magic prominently include their desire to make Howard the franchise cornerstone. Shades of his not wanting to help Yao Ming for fear that he might be overshadowed. I think he liked Yao a lot, he think he likes howard, but I'm certain he doesn't want anyone to rival him on "his" team. Good call on Minnesota. Wally and Hill play the same position, but Hill might be (less immediately) on his way out as well. Clips could be a third party with Maggette. Cleveland as well (Gooden is on the block). Also Chicago with Tim Thomas; Ditto for the Knicks with Penny. Or directly with a package of Ariza, Q, and Rose, all in the Brown doghouse. Denver seems desparate to move Hilario and Watson, but they're questionable fits in Orl. Again, 3rd party possibilities. Portland needs to make a move badly and has several pieces. Toronto could offer Rose (two years left) but that's not so atttractive. I'm fairly sure Boston wants less to do with Steve than Pierce. Or even Davis. They want a package for Pierce, if anything. Atlanta almost makes sense with their collection of forwards, but Joe Johnson and Steve together makes zero sense. Kings, Hornets, Warriors, LAL, Utah, Mil, Mia, NJN, Mem, Pho, SAS, Det, and Wiz are also bad matches for various reasons. Seattle can't trade it's final year players without their approval, making things difficult. I doubt Pacers would go for Steve, and as mentioned, they don't want to play Artest 4 times a year. Dallas might think about it, but have to realize that Steve could upset chemistry quickly and plays the same game as Terry. I'd say Minn, Portland, and Dallas are my picks as landing spots. Evan
I can see a 3-way with Pacers, Orlando and Indiana: LA wants Ron and will give up Maggette Orlando may want Maggette Indiana doesn't want Maggette because he's hurt so... Francis to Indiana Maggette + Rebraca or other guy to Orlando Artest + Pollard (ending contract) or other guy to LA Personally, though, if I were LA I'd go for Francis to play along with Livingston. Having a 6'7" PG makes it easier to play Steve at the 2.
Poor Stevie...I will route for him no matter what! I hope he gets traded to a better organization. Brian Hill has tried to turn this Magic team into the Mike Fratello Cleveland team of 7-8 years ago where they would walk the ball up slowly and take forever to set up anything. The games I've watched were painful. I really think he would thrive in a Phoenix Suns type of system (say what you want about him not being able to run a break), but that type of offense is not really one where you slow things down and run mechanical plays. You play off of instinct and physical ability. I think Steve would fit in there but they don't need.
http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=2289923 Updated: Jan. 13, 2006, 9:18 AM ET Report: Francis refused to re-enter gameESPN.com news services ORLANDO, Fla. -- Steve Francis was suspended indefinitely by the Orlando Magic on Thursday for what the club said was "conduct detrimental to the team." Francis' refusal to re-enter Wednesday night's Magic-Seattle SuperSonics game led the team to suspend the guard indefinitely, The Orlando Sentinel reported Thursday on its Web site. The newspaper reported that according to team sources, Francis refused coach Brian Hill's decision to send him back into the game with 3:22 left and the Magic trailing 103-87. Stacey Augmon went into the game instead for Hedo Turkoglu, who had fouled out. That capped a stretch of games in which Francis had complained about the team's offense and appeared disinterested during play, leading the Magic to finally take action, according to the report. Hill declined comment on Francis, telling the Sentinel "it's a team matter." Assistant general manager Otis Smith said several meetings between he, Hill and Francis did not uncover what has been bothering the three-time All Star. "Steve told me he's thinking too much [on the floor]," Smith told the newspaper. "Other than that, I really don't know." The team will have no further comment on the specifics of the suspension, Magic spokesman Joel Glass said. He said the star guard made the team flight from Seattle to Portland but left the team after he was suspended in the morning. Smith told the Sentinel the news was "not a complete shock" to Francis and that he "took it like a pro. Is he down? Yes." Glass said Francis will meet with Hill and Magic executives after the team returns from its West Coast road trip Sunday or Monday. Orlando visits Sacramento on Sunday, then plays host to Washington on Wednesday. Francis is averaging 16.6 points, second on the team, and a team-high 5.4 assists. The Magic (13-20) lost 113-104 in Seattle on Wednesday night, the team's fifth loss in its past six games. Francis scored 10 points in that game and 10 the night before in Orlando's 90-73 loss to the Los Angeles Clippers, and criticized the team's play after that game. Francis' agent, Jeff Fried, did not immediately return a telephone message left at his office. The guard was suspended for three games by the NBA late last season for kicking a courtside photographer at Seattle. Orlando fined Francis an undisclosed amount last season after missing a practice following the All-Star break. He was fined $25,000 after using profanity during a halftime interview at a nationally televised game while playing for Houston in March 2004. He also was suspended one game without pay for missing the Rockets' flight to Phoenix in February 2004. Asked what he expected of Francis when he returned, Smith said, "I expect the old Steve Francis ... playing with the some passion, like he loves the game. I don't expect anything less and he shouldn't expect anything less."
This is really sad to hear about Francis. We always knew Francis had maturity problems but he always seemed to have that fire and desire to play. To hear him not wanting to go back in a game and playing disinterested that doesn't sound like Francis at all.
back and forth. Sorry, gotta pick between "we knew he had maturity problems" and "not wanting to go back in a game..doesn't sound like Francis at all". Those 2 go hand in hand, at least to a degree. I think Steve loves the game and has the fire and desire and all that...but is too immature and he let that overshadow his desire.
different situation, Francis never wanted to leave here being asked to defer to a big man. I'm telling you guys this has more to do with jameer nelson, francis and Howard have a good playing relationship from what I see in just games. but when Nelson comes in, francis is lost in the offense if Nelson is being asked to be the primary ballhandler. but I'm not excusing, just giving my two cents. Francis needs to grow up regardless of what his issues are about the team. He's gonna be 29 next month. he's gonna look up and realize he wasted this time in orlando being a baby when he could maximize playing with the best young big man in the league.
Francis will be just fine! Orlando is crazy to trade him now, they won't get equal value. They didn't even get equal value for McGrady. So he probably got upset and cussed out the management or coaching stuff. It's not like he is Artest, beating up fans, throwing tvs, and asking for a trade from reporters before going to management. Francis isn't some criminal that's been caught shooting his gfs or accused of any kind of rape. Orlando management will come to their senses.
It's funny that the Orlando papers were crowing about Houston's misfortunes with McGrady right before this suspension. I bet that shut them up in a hurry.
As a Celtics fan, I hope my team doesn't touch Stevie "I'm gonna destroy your Franchise." He's a ball-dominating cancer who thinks he's better than he is, on top of his terrible contract. Also, he's going on 30, isn't he?
Almost perfectly accurate piece. Rudy spoiled Francis albeit inadvertently.I am not sure though that Stevie is totally damaged goods.
yeah I agree, but someone's got to get in his ear about his immaturity before it is too late. luckily just like for the rockets, its still early, the magic can salvage this season. they are only a few games out of the playoffs and they are in the worst division in their conference.
