Remember in math class we learned two negatives equal a positive? The acquisition of Steve Francis becomes a boom or bust situation for the Knicks. He's been criticized for a lot of the same things Stephon Marbury has been criticized for. Both have been called ball-hogs, me first players, and franchise killers. Could this commonality actually spawn a change in attitude from both players and help turn around the Knicks? Once upon a time ago, Chauncey Billups was referred to in the same manner. Originally drafted by the Celtics he spent his early career being traded to Toronto, Denver, and Minnesota. The rejection toughened Chauncey Billups, and the Pistons took a chance on him as a free agent. Chauncey Billups said the key difference Detroit made for him was believing in him and providing a stable environment around him. He also matured after being humbled by his early experiences in the NBA, and is now an MVP canidate. I'm not saying Steve Francis has the same mental makeup as Chauncey Billups, but Francis has never lacked talent. Now he comes to New York and joins a group of unwanted, overpriced talent and a coach his a master at psychological war games. Larry Brown is armed with a roster loaded with offensive talent, and players who carry around a chip on their shoulder. This chip is going to be the key for the Knicks finally turning around their losing ways. Larry Brown has sacrificed this season to find out how each player on the roster ticks. He'll spend the second trying to figure out what makes Francis tick. This is classic Larry Brown, he's made a career out of being his player's best friend and then worst enemy. This group has been his toughest task, because they are very stubborn players and haven't cracked yet under Larry. Eventually the players will breakdown and then Larry Brown will start molding them into specific roles. This has been his blueprint for success and even though it's a frustrating process the end result is more wins and team ready to contend. Intially everyone's first thought is how are these two guys going to share the ball? Defensively they both suck. This might be the beauty of the trade, because both players are going to realize they are benefitting by being on the court at the same time. Contrary to popular belief, Steve Francis is very willing to give up the basketball. He had no qualms about deferring to Yao in Houston, or Dwight in Orlando. Larry's offense has always been an equal opportunity scoring one, and he puts players in areas of the court to succeed. I think Larry is going to find a way to have Marbury and Francis feed off one another. He's going to remind them everyday what the critics have said about them and offer himself as the person to change their misfortunes. Adding Francis allows Marbury to slide to SG, the role he's been salivating over since Brown arrived. Marbury has wanted the freedom Iverson had when Brown coached him, and with Francis on board, it opens the opportunity for it. With Marbury scoring more, it's going to give him energy to be a better defender. All it takes is your leader stepping up on defense and all of a sudden it becomes contagious. Just look at the effects Artest is having in Sacramento. All of sudden, everyone of the Kings are playing better on the defensive end. The backcourt duo presents other teams with plenty of mismatch problems. Before teams had the luxury of putting their best perimeter defender on Marbury and making everything difficult for him. Now with Francis, you have a second scorer on the floor, capable of dropping 40 a night if you leave him open. The Knicks are definitely not done dealing. Their next moves will be toughening up their interior defense to allow Francis and Marbury to gamble more on the perimeter to force turnovers leading to transition baskets.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting j0se:</div><div class="quote_post">Pass me what you're smoking....</div> I should, then maybe you would have an open mind about things and try to look at the glass half full.
The only math I know, is that this is the most expensive backcourt in NBA history. Even if they do finally play to their potential, I still don't think it justifies spending this much money on players who are basically the same.
I don't like the Billups example, he was never in a role close to their's. As a young player, he wasn't a first option, just a PG/SG on the team. He was never considered a franchise player, and no one called him a franchise killer or anything close to that, he just got moved around a lot. With Francis though, he's not young, neither is Marbury. Francis has already moved, and really hasn't changed, so I don't know, he doesn't really have as much hope. Billups started playing good in Minnesotta, he was 24 then. Francis turned 29 years old yesterday.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Chutney:</div><div class="quote_post">The only math I know, is that this is the most expensive backcourt in NBA history. Even if they do finally play to their potential, I still don't think it justifies spending this much money on players who are basically the same.</div> The money is never going to be justified in NY. However, the Knicks will benefit from this trade. They gave up two players who don't produce, for an All-Star caliber player, who will produce. The price tag was high, but the Knicks are in cap hell to begin with. The Knicks are not faced with the same financial problems like small-market teams have to deal with. The owner doesn't worry about the luxury tax, because at the end of the day the team is still making money. I was using Billups as an example, because players can change their image and being passed around the league can be the motivation for a player to change their attitude. Billups was considered a tweener, but now he's become the prototypical PG in the East. Who cares if Francis is 29? Glenn Robinson didn't learn how to draw a charge until he turned 32 in San Antonio. I'm not saying this duo is going to work, but I'm also not going to immediately write it off either like a lot of people are.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Chutney:</div><div class="quote_post">The only math I know, is that this is the most expensive backcourt in NBA history. Even if they do finally play to their potential, I still don't think it justifies spending this much money on players who are basically the same.</div> As Jay-Z said, money ain't a thing! Money never had and never been an issue for the Knicks. They both expire at the same time, so it doesn't really cripple us financially.
Lol, as a Raps fan always concerned about the cap, its harder to analyze a Knicks trade. If you factor out the money, I can see your point. To me though, it doesn't seem like a real attempt to make this a winning team. As MrJ said, both Marbury and Francis' contracts expire at the same time. Seems more like a small period of mediocrity (8th seed?), before Isiah really has to face the fact that he needs to rebuild.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Chutney:</div><div class="quote_post">Lol, as a Raps fan always concerned about the cap, its harder to analyze a Knicks trade. If you factor out the money, I can see your point. To me though, it doesn't seem like a real attempt to make this a winning team. As MrJ said, both Marbury and Francis' contracts expire at the same time. Seems more like a small period of mediocrity (8th seed?), before Isiah really has to face the fact that he needs to rebuild.</div> There's one major key right there, you have to throw out the money factor. The other key factor, this is a Larry Brown trade, not an Isiah Thomas one. Prior to the ASG, Isiah broke down and asked Larry to make a list of players he desired. In the article Isiah shopping to please Larry, Steve Francis name is mentioned. Both Jalen Rose and Qyntel Woods were also Larry Brown endorsed trades. I'm guessing the Knicks aren't done yet either, and don't be surprised to see KMart or Ratliff traded before tomorrow or over the summer to NY.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting shapecity:</div><div class="quote_post">The money is never going to be justified in NY. However, the Knicks will benefit from this trade. They gave up two players who don't produce, for an All-Star caliber player, who will produce. The price tag was high, but the Knicks are in cap hell to begin with. The Knicks are not faced with the same financial problems like small-market teams have to deal with. The owner doesn't worry about the luxury tax, because at the end of the day the team is still making money. I was using Billups as an example, because players can change their image and being passed around the league can be the motivation for a player to change their attitude. Billups was considered a tweener, but now he's become the prototypical PG in the East. Who cares if Francis is 29? Glenn Robinson didn't learn how to draw a charge until he turned 32 in San Antonio. I'm not saying this duo is going to work, but I'm also not going to immediately write it off either like a lot of people are.</div> I also didn't say their's no chance, I said he doesn't have as much hope as Billups does, which means he does have hope, just less. As you get older, while still not so old, it's harder to change the way you play. It's like expecting Iverson out of nowhere to start playing the same way as Nash offensively, unless he's real old and can't score anymore, it's not likely to happen.
