[HoopsWorld] Francis tried to use Yao as a way to play for the Rockets this year?

Brando2101 · May 8, 2007

I'm skeptical. We'll see what happens if and when Francis is bought out.

I can't get the URL to show up. Is HoopsWorld banned or something on the bbs?
http://www.hoops world.com/article_21887.shtml

If it isn't already, buying out Francis' contract should be priority number one for the New York Knicks this offseason and Thomas should sharpen his pencil and cross it off the list fast.

Talk of the Thomas-Francis negotiations surfaced back in early January after Francis opted to rehab his right knee tendonitis in Houston with John Lucas. After a month of believed discussions, Thomas and Francis couldn't agree on a buyout for the $33 million owed to Francis over the next two years. Francis returned to the team. Thomas returned to denying multiple talks even took place between Thomas, Francis, and Francis' agent Jeff Fried.

According to a source close to the Knicks ( who noted a Francis buyout this summer is a given), Francis chose to workout in Houston so he could be near former Rockets teammate Yao Ming, who was rehabbing from a broken bone in his right knee at the time. It was Francis inclination to build a possible passage, via the "Great Wall of China", to Houston if a buyout was reached in New York. Once Jeff Van Gundy caught ear of it (not a big proponent of Francis. Van Gundy was vocal about trading Francis to Orlando), all bets were off.

Shortly after, Francis returned to New York claiming he wanted to be around his teammates but admitted he was calling it a season. His knee was too sore. Continuing small amounts of rehab was a solution. Playing as little as 10 minutes a night wasn't.

That all changed on February 26th against the Miami Heat. After a win over the Heat at the Garden, Jamal Crawford's season ended (playing 33 seconds in the second to last game of the season doesn't count) with a fractured ankle and eventually surgery.

Almost over night, Francis was miraculously healed and back in action for the Knicks. Chatter of hanging them up was suddenly replaced by available playing time. The comeback was short lived. Over the next few months, Francis was in and out of Thomas' lineup for one reason or another. If it wasn't his knee then it was a sprained ankle he injured by over dribbling. Francis averaged 11.3 points per game, shot only 40% from the field, and played in only 44 games this season for the Knicks.

It was his lowest appearance total in his seven year career.

Francis' suspect injuries and bleak production is one thing. Stunting the growth of some young Knicks is something else. In the final weeks of the season rookie guard Mardy Collins impressed Thomas enough to the point where the Knicks head coach admitted he will consider including Collins in his future backcourt plans. This makes both Nate Robinson and Steve Francis expendable.

Robinson, who fell out of favor with Thomas this season, will certainly be part of a trade at some point this summer. And rumors resurfaced of Francis' contract buyout well before players cleared out their lockers at the end of the year.

Francis' name has been linked to the Cleveland Cavaliers and Los Angles Clippers most recently in both trade scenarios and in anticipation he'd be picked up on waivers. And in the course of the offseason both team will certainly consider adding the veteran point guard to their offseason wish list.

Regardless of Thomas' extensive history in waiving obnoxious contracts (see Jalen Rose and Maurice Taylor), you'd be hard pressed to find anyone who would vote against adding Francis' bank to the books in New York. Call it a necessary evil.

With speculation now a reality and a contract buyout becoming unavoidable for Steve Francis, a hectic summer for Isiah Thomas is one step closer to being drama free .
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rocket_zoom · May 8, 2007

Brando2101 said:

I'm skeptical. We'll see what happens if and when Francis is bought out.
http://www.***************/article_21887.shtml
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LOL, what type of source is that?

Rocket Zoom

aussie rocket · May 8, 2007

always a sh!tty source that hoopsworld site

Brando2101 · May 8, 2007

aussie rocket said:

always a sh!tty source that hoopsworld site
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yea it looks shady but it was a top site on the google news engine so it must be popular. I bet it's cause they just pull stuff out of their asses.

ABTRocketfan · May 8, 2007

Who knows it might be true, but personally I put more faith in the down low news from ray ray at the corner of the street then hoopsworld.

Pringles · May 8, 2007

steve always go to houston in the offseason. last year he worked with john lucas. this is the same source saying we're gonna get richard jeffseron by trading swift and howard 2 years ago. this source is worse than pete vecsey.

tiger0330 · May 8, 2007

Francis shot only 40% from the field
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The Rox would kill for a PG that could shoot 40% from the field. The Rox better not blink if SF becomes available, there will be other teams waiting to sign him for either the vets min or MLE depending on his buyout.

NIKEstrad · May 8, 2007

Brando2101 said:

I

Once Jeff Van Gundy caught ear of it (not a big proponent of Francis. Van Gundy was vocal about trading Francis to Orlando), all bets were off.

/QUOTE]

Yep. The McGrady deal was about trading Francis, not about getting McGrady.
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blazer_ben · May 8, 2007

How about Spree to huston is a done deal. bill the graham rocket guy is a clueless turd.

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[HoopsWorld] Francis tried to use Yao as a way to play for the Rockets this year?

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