Why won't this end. Francis is not coming back to the Rockets. I don't think that will ever happen. They gave him a max deal, dealt him, his career went down the toliet, his knees are now a chronic problem, etc. etc. He is not coming back. He will probably retire, maybe for medical reasons. Francis was a flash, a moment of glory, a second of fame, and poof, gone. Absolutely crazy athleticism, but not enough of a skill set to survive long term. He is more of a Houston pop star than an a All Star. I once wrote that he would never be All NBA, on the USA team, or be a HOF'er. I was flamed, but I was right. The Rockets gave him the chance of a lifetime. The end.
wow that hurt, im (still) a steve francis fan, but that post was like something you would say if you were burying him, or in this case, his career. ouch. the nail in the coffin.
Cat is not a free agent. He has 3 fairly expensive years left. That said after this year I'd consider a Howard for him. LAC could cut 1 year of major salary and about 1.4 mil the previous 2 years. Maybe we include Wells if he doesn't opt out. If we did this I agree Cat would not play the 1. He would probably be 6th man or perhaps the occasional start going small (Tmac and SB at the 3 & 4). Head would then move then focus most of his attention on developing his PG skills where him and Rafer split those minutes and compete for the starters job. I'd really consider this because putting Head and Cat out there would really make it deadly to double Tmac or Yao.
The problem I see with going small is that it will hurt Yao's game and our rebounding. But with Cat and Head on the outside, we'd be a much more balanced offensive team. Personally, I don't think Head is capable of playing the 1 well, but that's just my opinion.
No he is not a free agent. His contract runs through 2010. If he were a free agent, I would love to have him back.
You know, I would be thrilled if Francis made a huge comeback and finished strong. However, a solution for his knees must be found. His athleticism is his game. Without that his career is probably over. If it is, he had his finest moments as a Rocket.
I agree with you. Personally, I felt Steve cared more about his stats, shoe deals, posses, and fame more than he cared about winning and a championship. When I watched him play, if he had an off night, we lost, when he was on, we won. I hated that fact about our team. He's mentally weak and doesn't have the killer instinct that we REALLY need. Plus, I'm sorry, but I can list off times I've seen him tear up and/or cry starting when he was drafted. I would be embarassed if someone could do that to me. I'm sure he misses Houston more for the fan loyalty and faith than the ball club's goals and objectives.
Do you remember the players he had with him on those teams? Besides an aging Olajuwon his rookie year, we had guys like Mo "Weed" Taylor, Eddie "B*tch, I'll Shoot You" Griffin, Moochie, Clearance, Charlie Ward, and Jim/Mark Jackson, Walt Williams, Carlos Rogers, Pig Miller, Langhi, Glen Rice, Bullard, Terrance Morris, Oscar Tores, ect. I could keep going. Honestly, how did people expect Francis to win us games with the talent he played with? You replace Francis with any other superstar at the time and the team would still have struggled. It's not fair to blame Francis for our lack of success during that time. Especially when he played hard for us every time he stepped on the court. He may have dribbled too much or made bad decisions, but he was the heart and soul of that team. Steve was a vocal leader. People also seem to forget his amazing playoff performance against the "Hall of Fame" Lakers. (Yes, Steve and JVG took that sorry team to the playoffs.) He averaged 19/7/8 in that series and was the main reason why the series was closer than the 4-1 indicates. IMO, This is where he turned the corner into a true elite player. Then, he gets traded to Orlando.
thank you for this post.....Steve did not have much to work with. He played with heart......At this time -Steve and Cuttino were respected as one of the best back courts in the league. I recall Phil Jackson -when coaching his championship bound Lakers remarking how the Lakers needed to stop Rockets back court to win. This was a statement he made before a regular season game.
I will take Steve Back. Although he may not in his prime, he still got his talent as a good PG or even a Backup SG. We can use him well in case of Tmac goes down...
CD - The Franchise is available if you want him. http://www.nypost.com/seven/0325200...happy_with_his_minutes_knicks_marc_berman.htm FRANCIS UNHAPPY WITH HIS MINUTES By MARC BERMAN March 25, 2007 -- Isiah Thomas' frustration with Steve Francis' game keeps rising as does Francis' frustration with Thomas' handling of his minutes. After playing 20 minutes in Friday's lackluster 90-68 loss in Cleveland when the Knicks scored a season-low in points, Francis, unsolicited, raised the issue of his playing time. Francis was benched the final quarter-and-a-half. "Not playing, not being on the court, it's tough," Francis said. "That's the hardest thing for me. I'm only doing what I can do. My stuff is not always about scoring. I don't have to be scoring to be effective." Francis scored 16 points in back-to-back defeats to the Trail Blazers and Cavaliers. The flaky Francis added, "You play 20 minutes, be happy with 20 minutes, get home and be happy with my family." Last week, Francis called himself the team scapegoat, saying, "When things aren't going well, who else would be the donkey that they pin the tail on than myself. It's been like that since I've been here." Francis' struggles and controversial remarks only increase the chances of the Knicks buying him out this summer.
Cuttino played as a PG in his rookie year followed by Steve Francis in the following year. Maloney did not play in Cuttino's first year.
I'd take him if he signs some contract that says I will dribble the ball less and pass more. I know the main guys are Yao and Tmac. I will limit my TURNOVERS. I wont be a d**k. Seriously though, i'd rather have another point guard and a better power forward. Andre Miller would be neat
