Knicks: Francis To Join Adelman In Houston? By Wendell Maxey Jr. for *************** May 24, 2007, 16:32 As of Wednesday, the Houston Rockets have a new head coach. In the coming weeks they could have a new point guard courtesy of the New York Knicks. The Steve Francis to the Rockets rumors appeared dead in the water over the past few weeks with reports surfacing that Isiah Thomas has no intentions of buying out the disgruntled veteran point guard's spendy contract. According to one New York newspaper, Thomas prefers to keep players if there is even the slightest chance that player can produce. Considering Thomas bought out both Jalen Rose and Maurice Taylor last season, this argument is pretty hard to buy. And over the last few weeks of the regular season Francis, starting at times for an injured Jamal Crawford and Stephon Marbury, did show he can still score as he averaged 11.3 points per game for the Knicks this season. So there is some validity to the case. But with Rick Adelman taking over for Jeff Van Gundy in Houston, will Francis be filling it up for the Rockets next season? The 60-year-old Adelman was announced as the new head coach in Houston after the Rockets dismissed Jeff Van Gundy and months ago it was rumored Francis intended on joining the Rockets if and when his remaining $33 million contract was bought out by Thomas and the Knicks. The road block in the killed deal apparently was Van Gundy. Thus the speculation and buyout talks between Francis and Thomas ended. With Van Gundy out of the way, the door is once again open for Francis to join the Houston Rockets. Adelman intends to make Tracy McGrady and Yao Ming more of an offensive threat, instead of cogs in a defensive machine as Van Gundy demanded. In order to get his dynamic duo going though, the Rockets need a point guard who can distribute the ball but isn't afraid to score either. Rafer Alston isn't that type of player. Francis however fits the mold. Francis would fit into the Rockets new offense plans perfectly. Regardless if it was his two trips to the NBA Finals with Portland in the early 1990's, his stint at Golden State, or eight straight playoffs berths in Sacramento, Adelman's teams are essentially known for one thing: running the break. And if there is one attribute Francis loves to showcase, it's running the floor. Adelman's teams always play an up-tempo style.Van Gundy, on the other hand, was prone to grind it out defensive schemes. It's no wonder Van Gundy was skeptical about reacquiring Francis, a player he dealt specifically for this reason. But this is a different Houston Rockets team now, more inclined to play at a speed Francis is familiar with during his five seasons in Houston under Rudy Tomjanovich. Everything is now on the table. Houston will be in the market for a point guard who can push it and isn't afraid to set up superstars T-Mac and Yao. Francis has made it known he desires to return to the Rockets. The Knicks would like to open the backcourt up for Mardy Collins, their surging rookie guard who proved he is ready for major minutes. The only part undetermined is the dollars and cents of the deal. If Isiah Thomas and Steve Francis' agent, Jeff Fried, can reach an agreement on the remainder of Francis' hefty contract, a buyout is in order. Agreeing on a dirt cheap settlement however was the difference from a buyout taking place back in January. But much has changed in the past five months. Yet one thing has remained constant-the Knicks and Francis buyout talks remain a hot topic in New York and a head coaching change in Houston is just the thing to fuel the fire. I expect to hear something in the month of July or August on whether a buyout is going to occur.
Im pretty bummed about MJ coming to Houston,(never thought Id see so much fans happy to be receiving a scrub). I still hope we can land the franchise so that he could make this team exciting to watch again.
Who is Maxey and for what pub does he write? What has changed in the past five months re: SF? Les still wants him, I presume. JVG reportedly was fine with SF's return. Zeke is still large-in-charge at MSG. Zeke will not buy him out one day before he has to, so if there is to be a buy out Fried has to push it with monetary consequences in the balance.
i would take steve francis any day he needs to come home... people say he loves the dribble but he is not the same stevie franchise in NY the main guy was marbury here its t-mac steve will be fine with it.
