He'll go to the Clippers before he even thinks about Houston. Why? Besides the obvious Brokeback Mountain reference, a starting spot. Livingston won't be ready for the start of the season and Cassell is ...well...old and slow and injured. It'll be the team that we were all clamoring for back in the day: Steve/Cat/Brand
Well from Francis's perspective, he'll come to Houston if it means championship. He'll go to the Clippers for money and peace of mind. If I were him, yeah I'd take the money and the guaranteed starting position. Cassell is old and won't be starting. Livingston is knee is toast. The Mobely Francis Tandem is well known in the NBA as one that worked. But still, Miami was able to get players there because of the chance at a ring. Rockets should at least have that sort of pull.
Being contenders, maybe. But a championship caliber team? Hardly. I'm pretty sure Francis sees the plethora of point guards we are accumulating daily to know that this team isn't anywhere near NBA Finals material. Are the Rockets closer to a ring than the Clippers? Of course, but if those are his ONLY two choices, Clip-Land looks a lot better. We never know, apparently Dallas has some interest as well. *shrug*
Mike James will have probably lost most of his quickness 2-3 years down the road. And since that's the major appeal of having him, the hordes of money won't be there waiting. Take it with a grain of salt, but I believe James earnestly wants to succeed this time around and settle down. With Adelman's confidence and the team's obvious lack of PG grit, he realizes that he can come back and make a difference again. This guy, at this age and during his final meaningful contract, is thinking about his NBA legacy. He wants to be remembered for being a vital piece in a championship squad. He wasn't that in Detroit and he never had a championship squad in Toronto or Minnesota. Houston has always been his best fit. In terms of ego, I'd worry more about 'Franchise's' return to a team no longer bearing his jersey as the centerpiece of its success. True, these few years may have humbled him - but might also inspire him to take leaps beyond his station and crossover T-Mac & Yao's territory. While I don't believe he would go that far, it is a concern. Ability-wise, no question - hands down take him for the LLE. Need-wise, spend our energy patching up our roster with suitable parts and not chasing pipe dreams. He's going to Clipperland...bank on it.
Well not unexpected..btw How about this link showing some "Man Love" for Stevio lol http://sports.aol.com/fanhouse/2007...to-reunite-steve-francis-with-cuttino-mobley/
Love to have the guy but he is a $6 million dollarman! Hopefully they'll take Alston and Head, so we can sign Francis!! Straight UP!!!
Yeah, I'm not too sure about the numbers. But, so like he got bought out for $30M. Does he get that all in one lump sum? The life of an NBA star..
I posted this in the Dish, but I figured it applied to this thread as well. http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/bk/bkn/4961670.html By JONATHAN FEIGEN Copyright 2007 Houston Chronicle Steve Francis, who has gone from the "Franchise" to a free agent, could be ready to bring his career back to where it began. Hours after Francis agreed to have his contract bought out by the Portland Trail Blazers, his agent, Jeff Fried, began talks with several teams — including the Rockets — to find him a home. "There is no secret Steve has a strong affinity for Houston and for the Houston Rockets," Fried said. "We're talking to a number of teams. Steve has some thinking to do." Fried said Francis, 30, is considering the Rockets, Mavericks, Heat, Lakers and Clippers, all of whom he said have shown interest or have been receptive to pursuing Francis. The Rockets have five point guards under contract (not including Bob Sura, who is expected to retire.) But Fried said that if the team reshapes its roster through a trade, there could be a place for Francis in Houston. Rockets general manager Daryl Morey declined to comment about any interest in signing Francis. He has said he is seeking a trade that would bring the Rockets a power forward. The Rockets acquired Francis, 6-3, in an 11-player, three-team deal, then the largest in NBA history, in the months after the 1999 draft. He was traded to the Magic to acquire Tracy McGrady in 2004 and was sent the Knicks during the 2005-06 season. Francis became a free agent after the Trail Blazers bought out the two years left on the contract he signed with the Rockets for roughly $30 million. The Clippers have been aggressive in pursuing Francis, offering a chance to reunite him with friend and former teammate Cuttino Mobley, and friend and business partner Sam Cassell. The Heat's top priority has been free agent Mo Williams, but if unable to sign him, could pursue Francis next, Fried said. "Nothing is going to happen in the next day," Fried said. "The thing that will be important to him is to talk to the respective coaches." jonathan.feigen@chron.com
Doesn't look like Morey is interested. Him going to the Clips makes more sense anyway, with us clogged up at the pg spot.
He goes after a PF and dumps some guards than yeah, Francis could be here. Morey is smart not saying anything.
