That's significant because it's the first time I believe I have seen a source directly confirm Stevie's desire to come back and play here...the feeling is mutual, Stevie. If nothing else, I think this would make Stevie start caring about basketball again and rediscover that emotional edge that made him the player he was here. Stevie is all heart, he wears his emotions on his sleeve, that's just his nature. If he's truly happy and in the right situation then he would be a great asset. Let's just cross our fingers and hope NYK buy him out by season's end and that would give us the chance to re-acquire him. Lord knows I've just about suffered enough watching Rafer pretend he's a starting PG in this league. Free Stevie you Yankee bastards!
He used to have a lot of fight in him. If it's still there and he can accept the role as a 6th ... and the chemistry works... he could have a net positive impact on this team. In saying that, be prepared for some turnovers... Heh...so many qualifiers, starting to make me wonder.
my guess is that the rox will ask Bonzi to opt out and then try to get Francis to sign for the vets minimum, hometown discount...I just don't know if JVG would go for this...he still plays stupid
That's the biggest misconception out there. JVG has had nothing but praise for SF3. It was Stevie who took shots at JVG on his departure, but later on admitted that JVG only wanted to teach him how to win and play defense, and it ultimately taught him something. I think JVG would take SF3 back in the heartbeat...he has nothing against the guy.
If he is bought out, it will be for LESS than what is going to be owed from that MAX contract (ie he is owed 40M and will probably do the buyout for 30M). And I read somewhere that his agent said they could make up the difference via getting a FULL MLE deal. He will be looking for the full MLE. I am sure he wants to come back to Houston, but I am not sure he would be willing to take the LLE/vet min to come here.
Better at what? Runing an offense...no. Pushing the ball up the court...no. Making the entry pass...no. Assist to turnover ratio...no. Shooting...barely. Rebounding...definitely. Committing turnovers...unquestionably. Dribbling the ball and going around in circles while your teammates stand around watching as the shotclock ticks down...absolutely.
That's not whats been reported, the Knicks want to buy him out for 60 cents on the dollar and SF was OK with it because he thinks he can get an MLE deal elsewhere (Houston). If the Knicks buy him out for 90 cents on the dollar than he'll take a vets min deal somewhere. I would love to have SF here, he would be our Jerry Stackhouse coming off the bench or better yet our starting PG and relegate Rafer to the backup PG position where he is best suited. Guy is all heart, he took 4 stiches on his hand on a dunk and still came back to hit the game winning three against the Wiz.
I would be a little surprised if Steve started at the point over Rafer. Did Steve ever captain a fluid, low-turnover offense? We were effective when Steve and Cuttino were hot, but remember how painful it was watching Yao stand in the low post w/o the rock and the dribble-dribble-dribble trifecta of Steve/Cuttino/Moochie? yikes Leave him at the 2. It was just 3 years ago and seems like a lifetime...
I know your pain. How quickly some forget. He'd come off the bench, and although it appears he hasn't rid himself of this tendency, if he wants on the court with JVG he'll need to.
If a guy genuinely wants to join us, I'm all for it. Beats the pants off of chasing no-heart, cut-the-check guys with just enough talent to get this BBS in heat (Stromile, Bonzi). Mike James could have been that guy, but he still hadn't gotten over the Toronto trade (trade kicker incident). If Steve truly wants to be a part of the team, knowing full well how it'll be under JVG, I'm 100% for it. We clearly have the need at both guard spots for him. The only real trick for me is, I'd love him in the role that was supposed to be Mike James'. Come off the bench at both guard spots and provide offense and a little time bringing up the ball and running the offense. When I picture Steve as a starter at the 1, I get a little wary. For all the crap Rafer gets, he's run the offense well. Consider the current status blurb on Steve's ESPN stat page: Clutch, DaDakota, and all the others slamming Alston have to admit, the above has never been an issue for us in the last couple of years. There was a bit of whispering that it was a problem when Mike James ran point for us, and there was CERTAINLY griping about that throughout Steve's career. Steve's a career 1.69 A/TO, currently 1.70 for NY, and was at 1.68 under JVG. I can live with that off the bench, but it's not good for a starting PG that you need delivering the ball to your #1 and #2 options. Rafer this season is at 2.35 A/TO, last year 2.68, and a career 2.76. I don't get caught up in our PG's scoring average. Yes, Rafer is rightly dogged for his horrific shooting displays and penchant for ill-fated teardrops in traffic. But he does do a good job facilitating the offense. He doesn't gripe. Point being, tangent aside, I'd love to have Steve back. As a bench player. If I were coach/GM for a day, I'd explain that to him and let him know that I'd envision him as our 6th man of the year candidate but absolutely not as our starting point guard. Evan
I think Van Gundy would want him back, but we ain't gonna get him for the minimum unless he gets bought out at full salary. That isn't going to happen. New York is going to ask him to give up $10 million in a buy out. And he will get the MLE from somebody on the open market. Lakers perhaps?
if francis accepted a role off the bench and league min. then i wouldnt be opposed to it. the guy is getting older and i think he had a heavy reality check over the last couple years. people/players can change for the better.
I'd love to see him as instant offense off of the bench and a backup for Rafer at the point. He could be a really good fit if he accepted that role. I don't really see him fitting in the starting lineup with the focus of the offense being Yao and T-Mac.
At last year's trade deadline, David Aldridge reported that JVG wanted to re-acquire Steve Francis. That he wanted a guard who could get to the rim and finish. I'd take Franchise back if he's actually healthy. I don't know how much he was actually suffering from tendinitis (or what was it?) or from Marbury's-Backup-itis. The guy's a rock between the ears, but he has hustle and heart, and we could use some of that on this team. If NY were willing to part with whatever first rounder they'll have on draft day (likely Chicago's), and maybe Lee or Frye, they could get something for their money in Juwan, Sura (essentially expiring), and Rafer (NYC native, EXTREMELY shy of contact in the lane: "another teardrop shot from Rafer, another miss"). Sorry for the dreamcasting.
