Can Rafer? Is Rafer? Can Rafer? Last time I checked, a championship caliber team was built with these guyS and not by just having one "heart guy"
James is an upgrade over Rafer, also last year in the playoffs Rafer was not the problem and just think how much more effective we would of been with the change of pace pg last season like James. No to Francis unless it's the LLE and Steve realizes he is no Fanchise player
This is not about Rafer it's about Steve, of course you want heart guys but Steve has not done anything in his career that makes me belive he is ok spliting time and being a third or forth option. When that happens his "heart" turns into a "team cancer"
Who said James wasn't an upgrade? The fact of the matter is, Steve is an upgrade over Rafer. That isn't an opinion--it's a fact. This is not a testament on how good Francis is/was, but how bad Rafer really is. At least a hobbled Francis would still be able to penetrate and get to the line where he's a pretty good free throw shooter (something that Rafer he wasn't last year) I am pretty sure, with age and the years in New York, that playing on a team with McGrady and Yao for the LLE (which is what the clips are apparently offering), that he ISN'T the man anymore. The guy just wants to play and win. If you think he's going to get the full MLE from any team, you need to brush up on some realism.
The Rockets traded Mike James for Rafer and immediately realized that they made a huge mistake and tried to get James back repeatedly. It's moreso fixing the mistake you made more than an upgrade. Rafer was a huge problem. Being a point guard, not being able to shoot, get to the hole, pass well, or create for others that makes you useless, especially when the other teams point guard is burning you like the Hindenburg. In Kobe's words, ship his tail out.
It IS about Rafer. Because if it wasn't about him, then we wouldn't have to ponder whether or not we need Francis. If he was a competent and decent point guard, there wouldn't be a need for Francis OR a need to draft Brooks. As for team cancer business, you are far more delusional than I had originally thought. You have never heard of players that were pricks early on but , as they age and extend their careers, actually matured and became good vets to have? Right now, I rather have Francis on the team than have to face the possible reality that, on opening night, we will have the same starting point guard from last year.
Don't know if This was posted... http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/bk/bkn/4961670.html 'Franchise:' The sequel? Francis' return possible; Rockets' glut of guards is biggest barrier to homecoming By JONATHAN FEIGEN 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."
So you're reasoning behind not signing Francis is because of the immaturity...yet you are, I'm assuming, a fan of Mike James?
Yes, definitely yes. SF should return to play for the rockets. This is team he started his career and he should end it here in houston. As many people stated, we can trade alston and another guy for a solid PF. With SF at the point, T-mac at the 2, battier playing the 3, an athletic PF along with Yao playing the 4 and the 5, we have pretty solid team. This move will not only give us 2 legit PG who can score, but also it will allow us to move some guards for a PF.
Mike James is alot of things but that guy does not skip team planes (while getting paid a max salary to go to the Super Bowl) he does not fake injuries because he is unhappy with playing time. Most important for all his problems Mike James knows who Mike James is and Steve does not realize that he is just a role player. Hey if Steve comes here I'll give him a shot and root my tail off for him but he is what he is a punk kid who has never grown up IMO.
Check out post #14 on the Barnes thread signing Steve could pay off I just would never offer a penny over the lower level and Steve is to be told how he is gonna fit in and if not he will be gone.
Mike James knew his place? WOW. I'm also assuming,then, you do not remember Mike James during his illustrious season with the Raptors then? My point: if you're going to fault Francis for being immature, you better do that to Mike James and, to an extent, McGrady as well (remember when he admitted to mailing in games in Orlando?). If you don't believe in atonement and that maybe, just maybe, Francis actually grew up a bit after being injured last year, then I can't really say anything more.
Word. According to the numbers they've put up this last season, yes. But, more than likely the poor play of Francis was due to issues with Isiah and the Knicks. IMO, they're pretty even. MJ is a better PG (more assists, fewer TOs), but Francis can get to the line better and rebounds better.
Would be inclined to agree with you save that James had even worse stats last year than Steve. Barring injuries to either one, I'd say it's about equal in terms of what you're getting. Steve has recently been injury prone, so that reduces the value of being 2 years younger than Mike. I just don't know. I guess when you get right down to it, it doesn't hurt to have Steve back but it would feel a lot better if we dumped a few smalls for a couple bigs to make things even. Right now everybody is still on edge about our PF and backup C situations. Don't think anybody can think logically about bringing in another guard until we resolve the bleeding.
This is kinda my feeling on the subject. Let's get as much talent as we can and let the chips fall where they may. The FA pool is pretty shallow at this point, so we're going to have to play PF by committee at the beginning of the season. So gather the talent, so we can make some moves down the road if we have to. But there is little doubt in my mind that Francis will give 100% if he comes back here.
