<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">The Orlando Magic have acquired NBA All-Star guard Steve Francis, guard Cuttino Mobley and center Kelvin Cato from the Houston Rockets in exchange for guards Tracy McGrady, Tyronn Lue and Reece Gaines, and forward Juwan Howard, General Manager John Weisbrod announced today. Francis (6?3?, 200, 2/21/77) played and started in 79 games for the Rockets during the 2003-04 campaign, averaging 16.6 ppg., a team-high 6.2 apg., 5.5 rpg. and a team-best 1.76 stlpg. in a team-high-tying 40.4 minpg. He also averaged 19.2 ppg., 8.4 rpg., 7.6 apg. and 1.40 stlpg. in 44.4 minpg. in five playoff outings vs. the L.A. Lakers. Francis ranked among NBA leaders in minutes played (T-4th), assists (9th), steals (9th) and scoring (38th). Mobley (6?4?, 215, 9/1/75) appeared and started in 80 games last season for Houston, averaging 15.8 ppg., 4.5 rpg., 3.2 apg. and 1.34 stlpg. in a team-high-tying 40.4 minpg. He also played in five playoff outings vs. the L.A. Lakers, averaging 14.4 ppg., 4.8 rpg. and 2.8 apg. in 42.0 minpg. Mobley ranked among NBA leaders in minutes played (T-4th), steals (23rd), three-point field goal percentage (.390, T-24th) and free throw percentage (.811, 40th). Cato (6?11?, 275, 8/26/74) played in 69 games last season for Houston, making 67 starts. He averaged 6.1 ppg., 6.8 rpg., 1.0 apg. and 1.39 blkpg. in 25.3 minpg. Cato ranked second on the Rockets in rebounding and blocked shots. He also appeared in five playoff outings vs. the L.A. Lakers, averaging 5.8 ppg., 6.8 rpg. and 1.00 stlpg. in 29.6 minpg. while shooting .591 from the field. </div> Link
I guess that is good for u guys but this is going to hurt the progress of Nelson. Unless u move one of Francis or Mobley for a power player.
Not that we're surprised, but it's about time. Glad to see that Reece Gaines left as well, he was nothing but a bust - and now we have Francis and Nelson. If he was still with us, he would just sit on the pine. Good move for both teams.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Ice:</div><div class="quote_post"> Glad to see that Reece Gaines left as well, he was nothing but a bust - and now we have Francis and Nelson. If he was still with us, he would just sit on the pine.</div> So was Ryan Humphrey. The Magic have really made some peculiar draft picks in the past few years. I like the fact that the Magic get Cato. He's one of the most underrated big-men in the NBA. I had him on my fantasy league last year and was very impressed. He was pretty inconsistant, but every other night he'd get 10+ rebounds against competition like O'Neal and Duncan. He could be the key to a lot of the Magic's success in the East next year. Cuttino Mobley is also a steal. He's one of the most underrated players in the NBA. At first when I heard about this deal, I thought it was just McGrady for Francis and Cato. I thought that in itself is fair. Adding Mobley to the deal really tips the trade in Orlando's favor in my opinion. It should be interesting to see how Ming works with McGrady, but right now it looks like the trade swings in favor of Orlando to me.
Even though this team is going to be better I really will miss t-mac. He is such an amazing talent and the things he lacked in orlando he will gain in houston.He will play d and with heart in houston.IMO this trade might propel him to the best player in the league.If he works for it and I think van gundy will make him. I'm so glas I got season pass so I can watch all the rockets games now. R.I.P. T-mac in a magic jersey and bring on the new magic with heart and hustle again!!
You knew it was coming, but it's still tough to accept... I can't wait for some preseason games to see what's up with this new team.
The Magic should of got someone other than Francis, because I want my man Jameer running the show. HaHa. Sike, I think Stevie will be a great mentor to Nelson, a whole lot better than Lue would of been.
Not so sure about that he doesn't seem like the type crying about being drafted by the Grizz 4 cing a trade. Then crying again before this trade. Not being a great team player. Francis an Yao should of got a lot farther than they did. I would put most of that on Francis imo.
I knew it was coming. Glad this went down. Don't want to see Tracy leave but we're rebuliding now and Tracy just is too impatient to wait. I'm glad we got Cato he can help on defense and probably bring in the defensive effort we would've had in Okafor. Let's just wait and see in the preseason.
I don't have anything against Francis, but I really wish we would've gotten either Artest or Allen instead. Even better(but also unlikely) I would've loved to see a three-way with us getting Shaq and LA getting Franics. That way maybe, we'd also solve our coaching issue by pulling in Phil Jackson. But again, I doubt Jackson would be thrilled about coaching a re-building team. At least T-Mac is gone. It's a start.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Anton:</div><div class="quote_post">I don't have anything against Francis, but I really wish we would've gotten either Artest or Allen instead. Even better(but also unlikely) I would've loved to see a three-way with us getting Shaq and LA getting Franics. That way maybe, we'd also solve our coaching issue by pulling in Phil Jackson. But again, I doubt Jackson would be thrilled about coaching a re-building team. </div> Why in god's name would LA give up Shaq just to get Steve Francis?
I thought the trade really hurt both teams. With Houston- they lost one of their best on the ball defenders, in Mobley, Cato was a great backup center for Ming. With Orlando- they lose instant offense. Francis isn't on the same level as T-Mac in terms of handling the ball, dishing it out, and plain scoring. With Francis and Mobley, they get turnovers galore. Losing Howard is going to take a hit on their inside offense. I guess now, at least they have a legit center, although old.
Gosh, Im so glad this trade went through. Because i was hopin they wouldnt cancel the trade. The Magic, hopefully, are gonna stomp over the league. We have D-12,Franchise, Cat, Jameer, and FINALLY a decent center!!
I believe the magic got the best of the trade. They now have a point guard who has unparalled heart, a great shooting 2, and an underrated center for two busts and a top 5 player. Jameer will have to take a seat and stay on the bench as the sixth man or something unless one of the players move up (which i doubt). I still think orlando might trade mobley. oh and crazytown, i think he made it up.