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Peter Vecsey: Rockets Backing Up Van To Unload Francis

Discussion in 'Houston Rockets: Game Action & Roster Moves' started by ptw1, Feb 13, 2004.

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  1. ptw1

    ptw1 Member

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    Francis trade rumor from the NY Post

    February 13, 2004 -- HOOP DU JOUR

    LOS ANGELES - In view of the mean spirited rift between Jeff Van Gundy and Steve Francis, it's not surprising to learn that the Rockets' decidedly downgraded franchise player is now available; operators are standing by waiting for bids.

    "It's not like they're shopping him," said an East Coast executive. "It's not like they're calling around saying, 'You can have Francis for so-and-so.' But they're definitely wide open to suggestion."

    Two weeks ago, according to a poll, Francis was the city of Houston's most well-liked athlete. It's not as if his Admiration Society is localized; he couldn't have earned a starting backcourt spot in Sunday's All-Star Game without the voting support of fans everywhere. Since being suspended a game for missing a team charter to Phoenix - purportedly to attend the Super Bowl for which his coach verbally crushed him - Francis' popularity has distinctly disintegrated.

    "[Francis] was clearly wrong for blowing off the flight, for whatever reason, but [Van Gundy] should've directed his caustic comments to Francis and Francis alone," said a veteran appraiser of such power struggles.

    This conflict began the moment Van Gundy offensively demoted Stevie Franchise and designated Yao Ming as the go-to guy.



    "Jeff seems to thrive on turmoil. Instead of handling the issue behind closed doors, by squashing Steve publicly he turned the media and the fans against Steve. He made him look so bad it's doubtful their relationship can ever be repaired. Basically, management has no other choice but to explore trades for an extravagantly paid player who has just been degraded and devalued by his coach."

    You have to believe the Rockets already have contacted Rashweed Wallace's agent in the hope of getting a long-term commitment from the rising free agent. If there's any chance of that happening (originally, the 6-11 forward targeted Houston as a team he'd consider playing for), sources indicate the Hawks will be offered Francis and Maurice Taylor for Wallace.

    Jason Terry would have to be involved somehow, someway (to make the swap more equitable, I submit) in a separate deal since league rules prohibit Wallace from being aggregated in another trade for 45 days.

    With salary-cap relief a silly semester away and the vision of plum free-agent-to-be Kobe Bryant dancing in Philips Arena, I can't see Atlanta's new owners being tempted by that scenario. But I can almost fantasize a three-way trade taking shape in which Francis and Taylor would be re-routed to the 76ers for Allen Iverson, whose presence would all but guarantee resurgence (near-sellouts) in fan interest.

    http://www.nypost.com/sports/15616.htm
     
    #1 ptw1, Feb 13, 2004
  2. Raven

    Raven Member

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    Damn that was fast.

    This rumor just hit the net, and already it's been posted here.

    BTW I freakin HATE this trade.

    Raven
     
    #2 Raven, Feb 13, 2004
  3. sjackson0

    sjackson0 Member

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    Boy.....ya'll haven't seen nothing to you see Iverson's shot selection a night. You thought Steve's were bad, imagine 8-10 extra shots of them. He demands darn near 20+ attempts a night.
     
    #3 sjackson0, Feb 13, 2004
  4. forenzi

    forenzi Member

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    I agree. We dont need any players like A.I.. We need high percentage shooters a la Peja style. We have enough trigger happy players already.
     
    #4 forenzi, Feb 13, 2004
  5. ROXTXIA

    ROXTXIA Member

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    We do have to consider the source here, you know?

    I don't doubt the veracity of Steve's being available, but I don't think the trade would go down as reported, certainly. And even then, doesn't Atlanta want to just dump salary anyway?
     
    #5 ROXTXIA, Feb 13, 2004
  6. Another Brother

    Another Brother Member

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    NO TRADE

    Isn't it about time that someone displays "Choke City" somewhere so we can get this Championship thang happening?
     
    #6 Another Brother, Feb 13, 2004
  7. Raven

    Raven Member

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    At least he admits that his column is uneducated speculation.

    Raven
     
    #7 Raven, Feb 13, 2004
  8. Harrisment

    Harrisment Member

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    I think that article is saying once we trade Francis and Mo to Atlanta, they would then ship them to Philly for A.I. ......not the Rockets getting him.
     
    #8 Harrisment, Feb 13, 2004
  9. Raven

    Raven Member

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    The absolute stupidity of this column deserves yet another post.

    It would be complete idiocy to put the biggest jerk in the NBA on the same team as YM.

    Raven
     
    #9 Raven, Feb 13, 2004
  10. Deuce

    Deuce Context & Nuance

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    So are they suggesting Wallace+Terry for Francis+Taylor?

    Honestly, I dont see ANY Rockets trades going down at least until summer when Francis' BYC ends. It just doesnt make sense to make any MAJOR trades NOW when financially I dont think we can get a good value on a trade.
     
    #10 Deuce, Feb 13, 2004
  11. rockergordon

    rockergordon Member

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    Plus, we're gonna have the same team next year. Why not give Francis a shot at the playoffs? If we make a trade now, we might be less likely to get it together. Offseason........ thats when we'll talk about trading Stevie
     
    #11 rockergordon, Feb 13, 2004
  12. Relativist

    Relativist Member

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    I wouldn't mind having Rasheed on the Rockets, but his history with the Blazers makes him a gamble. I'm not willing to give up Francis for someone who could blow up in our face as badly as Eddie Griffin.
     
    #12 Relativist, Feb 13, 2004
  13. Toast

    Toast Member

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    Peter Vecsey gets all the inside scoop.

    He's best friends with Steve AND JVG, so he literally knows how both of those guys feel. :rolleyes:
     
    #13 Toast, Feb 13, 2004
  14. VesceySux

    VesceySux World Champion Lurker
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    <-----------
     
    #14 VesceySux, Feb 13, 2004
  15. bigboymumu

    bigboymumu Member

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    Excellent post!
     
    #15 bigboymumu, Feb 13, 2004
  16. scotia

    scotia Member

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    Wallace+Terry for Francis+Taylor ?

    I will do it in a heart beat.:D
     
    #16 scotia, Feb 13, 2004
  17. franchise403

    franchise403 Member

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    What would ya'll guys think about gettitng Rasheed without giving up francis?

    Do ya'll think that it could work. I mean realistically francis has had one bad half-season of ball and I think people are blowing up the super bowl incident to more than it really is.
     
    #17 franchise403, Feb 13, 2004
  18. JuanValdez

    JuanValdez Member

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    If Vescey is reporting it, then I know Francis will be a Rocket for a long time to come. Plus, I think his article likely exxagerates the rift between Van Gundy and Francis and the amount of damage the little scandal has done to Francis' value.
     
    #18 JuanValdez, Feb 13, 2004
  19. rocksolid

    rocksolid Member

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    Peter Vecsey is a clown.

    I don't buy it....if JVG and Vecsey are such close friends, why would Vecsey just broadcast this via the Post?

    This column just seems like an "outsider's" and "outdated" perspective.

    I can't see JVG wanting to deal MoT and Francis for Wallace and his baggage...

    I could possibly see getting AI (maybe), but it seems like a stretch...He just doesn't fit into JVG's offense...How's AI gonna react when he's no longer 'THE MAN' in the offensive system?

    Team Chemistry would take a beating for the 2nd half of the season...Playoffs would be in major question...
     
    #19 rocksolid, Feb 13, 2004
  20. Sherlock

    Sherlock Member

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    There's a big difference between shopping Francis and listening to offers. The conflict between JVG and Francis is all over the news, so of course everyone is going to come to them with offers. The only way the Rockets do something, is if something incredible is offered them, and I don't see this as incredible. I believe we can probably get Wallace this summer, if we want him, without such a high price.

    I wouldn't be surprised if the Rockets wanted to know their options, in case things accelerate worse between JVG and Francis, but I doubt they'll trade him until his BYC status is removed this summer.
     
    #20 Sherlock, Feb 13, 2004
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