<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">The Knicks were happy to get Zach Randolph. The Trail Blazers were happy to clear space for Greg Oden. Steve Francis might be the happiest of all. Multiple media outlets reported on Tuesday night that the Blazers had agreed to buy out Francis' contract -- for almost the full amount. Portland sent Randolph, along with Fred Jones and Dan Dickau, to the Knicks for Francis and Channing Frye in a draft night trade on June 28. Almost immediately word surfaced that the Blazers would try to buy out Francis' deal. </div> <div align="center">Source: ESPN</div> Francis is now a free agent. He isn't the perfect PG for the triangle, but would be a huge upgrade over anything we've had in the past 10 years.. aside from Payton's one year stint. It would take a lot of pressure off Kobe offensively, and will take pressure off Odom having to score as well. I don't know if he'll be looking for the full MLE, but at some point we have to realize we need to make a move... This is one I would love.
From what I've heard, he's expecting MLE offers. He's been referenced to three teams--the Heat, Clippers, and the Lakers.
I really don't understand why you would want Francis. The triangle wouldn't work for him, and he seems to be the shell of his former self. Maybe that's because he was in NY playing with his Twin. I really doubt Kobe is going to be ecstatic with this signing, anyway.
<div class="quote_poster">Kidd Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">I really don't understand why you would want Francis. The triangle wouldn't work for him, and he seems to be the shell of his former self. Maybe that's because he was in NY playing with his Twin. I really doubt Kobe is going to be ecstatic with this signing, anyway.</div> Have you seen our former signings? He would be a major upgrade to everyone we've signed with the MLE in the past few seasons. I would definitely take him over Fisher at this point and use the full MLE. Kobe needs offensive help and Francis definitely fits the bill.
Francis, offensive help? To me, it seems his explosive "drive-in" days have come to an end. And his jumper isn't exactly solid either. Btw, did you guys sign Fisher already, or is it still in process?
Usually I would say this would be an awful signing but looking at what there is on the table it doesn't look so bad, but Francis doesn't deserve the MLE
<div class="quote_poster">Kidd Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Francis, offensive help? To me, it seems his explosive "drive-in" moves have come to an end. And his jumper isn't exactly solid either. Btw, did you guys sign Fisher already, or is it still in process?</div> Exactly what I was thinking. His Orlando days are done. He is out of game shape, and has lost his touch and explosivness. However, maybe with Kobe and possibly Fisher, he could recindle his touch, and possibly get half-way to what he was.
i think steve francis would be cool, why not sign him, if he would take the vet min, i would take him in a heartbeat just kobe needs to call him
I would be more for this one than I would for the Fisher signing. Francis is more worth the MLE than Fisher. If he could go back to something close to his former self, he'd really help take the scoring load off of Kobe.
I don't get why some of you want Francis so much. I agree with everything Kidd has said. Francis is just a shell of his former self. I don't even think his game will translate well into the triangle as well. He doesn't have a great jump shot, isn't a great three point shooter, and still seems to have a big ego. The only thing he has over any other free agent in the market is his name. But let's not fool ourselves. He isn't the Steve Francis from the Rockets, not even the Steve Francis from the Magic. This is a Steve Francis after a severe injury that had him talking about retirement. If we sign him with the full MLE, I guarentee it's just another MLE wasted to go along with the Vlade Divacs and Aaron McKies. He fits our usual failed MLE target as well. Players over the hill, and players likely to get injured. Unless Francis wants half the MLE, I don't want him here. He'll most likely go to the Clippers anyways because his boyfriend, Cuttino Mobley plays there
Steve Francis is a HUGE upgrade over anything we had, and we NEED to get this done! We need a player, other than Kobe Bryant, who can takeover the game. We need someone whose a leader, and I think Stevie Franchise would do himself good wearing purple and gold.
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">who can takeover the game. We need someone whose a leader,</div> Steve Francis is neither.
sign it, with the full MLE jajajaja i love steve francis. Maybe Phill's training is the thing he need to get back to that "houston level"
I'd rather give the MLE to Francis than Fisher or Steve Blake. Kidd, the triangle offense is an offense which creates 15 foot jump shots for the guards. Francis would be a good player to knock down the open jumper. He's also athletic and a taller point guard, which again works well in the triangle. He's been on poor teams for the last few years and people are sleeping on him right now. We need to snatch him up while his value is low, he could be a great steal.
<div class="quote_poster">pablitocesar Wrote</div><div class="quote_post"> i love steve francis. Maybe Phill's training is the thing he need to get back to that "houston level"</div> Nobody's training can get him back to that "houston level," unless Phil has the Fountain of Youth, and can magically repair his knees No point of discussing this any further. We're already going to waste our MLE on Derek Fisher anyways
<div class="quote_poster">Kidd Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Steve Francis is neither.</div>While I do agree that he's not what he used to be, he's still better than Fisher, and also a better option than starting Critt or Farmar. Plus, he did come around his last few games of last year, averaging 25/5.5/4 over the last four. Those stats could be misleading cause it was just a four game stretch, but none of our point guards put together that kind of a stretch last year. So, while he's not his old self, he's still better than everything else we have, and who knows, maybe a new team will give him new life.
<div class="quote_poster">Brian Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Nobody's training can get him back to that "houston level," unless Phil has the Fountain of Youth, and can magically repair his knees No point of discussing this any further. We're already going to waste our MLE on Derek Fisher anyways</div> I know, really.
