Okay no offense here but I will systematically take down your entire argument. First off the bat I just burst out laughing when you seriously tried to make a case Stevie is a "locker room" guy. The guy absolutley bashed the magic and caused headaches with the Knicks, he competes desperatley for shots and connot accept the small roll he would have on this team. Second, your argument about coming off screens for jumpers is totally mute because, one, he is not great at it and two Mike James can be just as effective. That leaves your "this sells" line which may be partially true in Houston but nationally Stevie is just not a very well liked fellow, so a move just for PR is a bit pointless. To sum up this would not be a very heady move for the Rockets considering their aray of talented guards and the fact that Steve does not fit in with Morey's thinking.
Rafer+James+Francis is a timebomb waiting to happen. Not enough playing time, all have history when they don't get playing time.
Rafer likes to fight coaches -i.e Sam Mitchell Mike James just loves to talk on t.v and radio shows Steve likes to kick cameramen and walk off the floor when the team is getting blown out
Stevie ain't perfect but I been following his status all year long in fantasy leagues and he's been up and down. When given minutes he's very productive. When Marbury was teamed up with Francis they both sucked cause they took each other's scoring away from each other. When either of them played without the other, their numbers went through the roof. Francis did everything that Isiah asked him to do. He even told Isiah that he didn't mind coming off the bench cause he'd do whatever it took to win. Under Van Gundy Francis altered his game and passed off more. As a result his scoring and stats in every category went down the tubes. Of course we all know that this happens to every player in history with Van Gundy. Even T-Mac's scoring took a dip under Van Gundy. The problem in New York came when Isiah started jacking around with Steve and publically undressed him and then made him watch game films of himself playing. The embarassed Francis pretty much lost his enthusiasm for playing in New York after that. Then he won a game in the last second for the Knicks and thats when the "Donkey" statement came out.
My boy still got game. He'll still dunk on Kobe if given the chance. Most of the crap about his bum knee is BS. Most basketball players out there know he's a talent. He's got a bad rap but look at how Stephen Jackston did once the Pacers traded him to Golden State. He needs a fresh start on a good team. Run him through his paces, do the physical let him play his game. Francis is probably still better than Mike James. Mike is another case to look at. Mike James was near All-Star level with the Raptors but put him in there on the Timberwolves roster and JVG style Rockets and he sucks. Francis just needs the right situation to be productive.
I agree with you wholeheartedly. What do we lose if it doesn't work out? Basically nothing, but if it does work out we could potentially gain a very valuable contributer to a championship contender.
Well here's an interesting article about "Edgy Guard Steve Francis". How'd you guys like to see taking our guards to school? Cause he damn sure would run circles around Mike James, Head and Alston. Mavs considering 'edgy' point guard By JEFF CAPLAN Star-Telegram Staff Writer Steve Francis, a scoring point guard, is looking for yet another place to call home in the NBA. LAS VEGAS -- Something of a mutual attraction has cropped up between the Mavericks and freshly minted unrestricted free agent Steve Francis. The Mavs were one of "numerous" teams to speak with Francis' agent, Jeff Fried, soon after Portland officially bought out the remainder of Francis' contract after the league's "moratorium period" ended Tuesday night. Fried said Francis, who played the first five years of his career with the Houston Rockets, considers the Mavs a strong fit. Indications are that team fit will outweigh salary considerations since the edgy eight-year veteran and former All-Star reportedly collected $30 million in the buyout, which also made him an unrestricted free agent. Francis (6-foot-3, 210 pounds) had $34 million remaining on the last two years of his deal when New York traded him to the Trail Blazers on draft night. Fried said conversations with the Mavs have not reached the level of salary negotiation. The Mavs have a mid-level exception, valued at $5.356 million, to spend. They can use the full amount on one player, split it up, or not use it all. "Obviously, we're always looking to add good players," said Donnie Nelson, the Mavs' president of basketball operations. "Right now we're in discussions with a lot of different guys." The Mavs had interest in sought-after swingman Gerald Wallace, but he reached an agreement Wednesday to remain with Charlotte. Another player of some interest could be veteran forward Chris Webber, 34, a low-post presence whom the Mavs were interested in last season before he chose to sign with his hometown Detroit Pistons, his fifth team in 14 seasons. "Those guys have a lot of options," said Mavs coach Avery Johnson, who is in Las Vegas watching Dallas' summer league team. "We'll see which team they choose." With the dysfunctional Knicks, the pairing of Francis and Stephon Marbury -- two similar players -- never clicked. Adding to Francis' frustration were injuries that limited him to 44 games last season. He averaged a career-low 11.3 points, 3.9 assists and 3.6 rebounds -- well below his career numbers of 18.4 points, 6.1 assists and 5.6 rebounds. "He's pretty edgy," Johnson said. "He's been pretty good when he's been healthy and, obviously, he hasn't had the best situations over the last couple of years. Who knows what's going to happen there." Johnson reiterated Wednesday his desire to give Devin Harris a more prominent role at point guard. Jason Terry has started there the past three seasons, with Harris coming off the bench or playing the two-guard. The combo helped the Mavs reach the NBA Finals in 2006, but after last season's first-round playoff bust, Johnson made improving ball movement a priority. Francis, known more as a scoring point guard, might be underrated as a passer, having averaged between 6.2 and 7.0 assists in his first six seasons. He's also been excellent at drawing fouls and getting to the free-throw line. Attitude issues finally wore thin in Houston, which traded "Stevie Franchise" to Orlando in a seven-player deal that sent Tracy McGrady to the Rockets, a sign of how highly valued Francis was only three years ago. "He rebounds and he can score," Nelson said. "There are a lot of positives." The Mavs have the maximum 15 players on the roster, but four are not guaranteed spots -- second-round draft picks Nick Fazekas and Reyshawn Terry, plus second-year players J.J. Barea and Pops Mensah-Bonsu. Nelson said he won't give up "valuable, young assets" to create roster space unless it's an upgrade. The Clippers and Miami Heat, who have shown interest in point guards Mo Williams and Steve Blake, reportedly are front-runners with the Mavs for Francis. Details, details Don't worry that Jerry Stackhouse and Devean George didn't sign contracts on Wednesday, Donnie Nelson said. "Paperwork and rhetoric," he said kept the deals from becoming official, but both likely will be finalized today
You really don't want no part of Jason "The Jet" Terry. He is the textbook definition of a streaky shooter.
I'm thinking it'll be Wednesday or Thursday before any significant news comes up. Nobody's doing anything until waivers pass and the parties involved seem a bit tight lipped on the issue.
