Another question, how many yrs are left on Steve's deal? IIRC he is still owed $49m - would that fit under the cap with Yao and T-Mac making big $$$ as well?
Certainly, getting Francis back is very enticing. In fact, I think if we aren't giving too much up, Houston should full heartedly go after it. Although I know Alexander is one of the poorest owners in the league, I think this move would actually pay off for us. No doubt Francis is a fan favorite in Houston, so we should at least be getting some more money back in return since there's probably going to be a bit of a hike in attendance. Plus, I'm sure he's going to have more jersey sales than Swift or whoever we might trade for him which equals a bit of money back to Alexander. Okay, I might be stretching it a bit, but once we start winning, I don't think anyone will complain since more people will be watching games. Plus, the tandem of Francis and McGrady just sounds spectacular with their dunks and high flying acts. If Francis wants this badly to come back to Houston, I think he's willing to give up the ball a bit more and buy into the system. So far its obvious he's giving an uninspired effort in Orlando so perhaps going back will wake him up a bit. In reality, I think he would work better as a second or third option and if he comes here, I think Francis would fit in nicely sharing the second option with Yao. Besides, it would take loads of pressure of McGrady's shoulder and give him less playing time.
I'd rather have artest because of his defensive presence, but I guess Francis is less of a dynamite about to explode.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting AznxBaller:</div><div class="quote_post">Certainly, getting Francis back is very enticing. In fact, I think if we aren't giving too much up, Houston should full heartedly go after it. Although I know Alexander is one of the poorest owners in the league, I think this move would actually pay off for us. No doubt Francis is a fan favorite in Houston, so we should at least be getting some more money back in return since there's probably going to be a bit of a hike in attendance. Plus, I'm sure he's going to have more jersey sales than Swift or whoever we might trade for him which equals a bit of money back to Alexander. Okay, I might be stretching it a bit, but once we start winning, I don't think anyone will complain since more people will be watching games. Plus, the tandem of Francis and McGrady just sounds spectacular with their dunks and high flying acts. If Francis wants this badly to come back to Houston, I think he's willing to give up the ball a bit more and buy into the system. So far its obvious he's giving an uninspired effort in Orlando so perhaps going back will wake him up a bit. In reality, I think he would work better as a second or third option and if he comes here, I think Francis would fit in nicely sharing the second option with Yao. Besides, it would take loads of pressure of McGrady's shoulder and give him less playing time.</div> Link Suprising to say the least, eh? Alexander might not be a poor owner -- but a cheap one. Of course the chart doesn't show how rich the owner is, just the team.. But he probably isn't willing to sacrifice cap space, or just ruin it -- a la the Knicks. Honestly, I haven't heard the Francis/Artest rumour at all .. even from my family in Indy.. but if it's been posted on JBB, I'd hope it wasn't someone having a little fun. I would actually take Artest over Francis. Francis (IIRC) is locked up WITH A MAX CONTRACT until 2009, Artest has 3 years left on his contract, then a player option. Francis isn't getting younger, nor is Artest, but Artest is inching closer to 27 (in November), Francis 29 (February). Aside from Age and Contract, which is enough to say no to Francis, you look at aspects of their game. We have a capable point guard in Rafer Alston. In our two stars' absence, he really has stepped it up, and no, it's not because he's just shooting. I think he really needed that freedom -- he's gambling with his passes, and they're paying off. We need help at the wing positions. Anderson is out, Barry isn't 100 percent. Wesley is sucking. Artest provides scoring AND defense, which is something Van Gundy had to squeeze out of Franics. I am not a Francis hater, and if if happened, I'd love Stevie back in Houston. Things that Francis has that Artest hasn't proven he has .. Heart. Francis plays his heart out -- well for the Rockets he did. Artest wanted to pursue a rap album. Francis, though might take the occasional Super Bowl Break, isn't detrimental to the team -- the Rockets, anways. With Artest, you aren't really sure. Francis will probably welcome playing as the third option, Artest might not buy into it. But .. Artest is similar to Spreewell. Van Gundy took all of Spreewell's craziness and turned it into something great. If Artest is willing to learn from a coach that can get his full potential out of him, he will be a much, much, much, better aquisition than Francis. Either way, it's all good.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Mag:</div><div class="quote_post">Wesley is sucking.</div>Wes has stepped it up more than Alston in TMac's absence, and has gotten his game back on track for about two months now. Open your eyes. As for Francis, financially, it wouldn't be too nice a coup but we'd be giving up some similar money in order to acquire him. A combination of Swift/Alston and Wesley might help us absorb some of Francis's money. It was our decision to max him out in the first place.
I don't think Francis would want back in Houston. He had some negative things to say about Van Gundy and his coaching style last season.
As much as I like Francis...I don't miss him with T-mac here. Sure T-Mac has been hurt a bit this year but hey who hasn't? He's had these kinda problems before with his back, he'll be alright if he does a bunch of rehab or something. T-Mac is just pushing himself too hard right now without Yao. Last season we had what 5 combined games without them? and 2 of T-Mac's games were cuz of family emergencies not injuries. This season we're missing them for a combined 26 games. Thats a lot.... Anyway, I wouldn't want either player right now. We need role playing scorers and the offense to be opened up some. All of our players are finesse players pretty much none of them are the style that JVG coaches to
Wesley has been here longer than Alston in T-Mac's absense. When on the court with Yao and McGrady, Wesley sucked. Alston played ok, but didn't really have time to gel with the rest of the squad. Wesley, played with them last year, and was consistent last year. Towards the end of Yao and McGrady being healthy, he did play well, but.. during the beginning of the season he sucked. Sure, he plays well now, when he's free to do what he wants. But maybe I am just holding a grudge against him, for sucking the earlier part of the season . And yes, it was our fault to sign him to that crazy contract, but.. He's 28, arguably should be in his prime by now, and is scoring a career low. Whether or not that is because he's playing off Dwight Howard, or is just sucking, is beyond me. But I would welcome Stevie with the most open arms possible, if he came back to Houston. I'd welcome him, and his fat contract.
Artest would change that though. He is a bull and in your face defender. I would rather take Artest over Francis, just because he provides offense and defense.
Artest >>> Francis for a couple of reasons 1. We need some length in our backcourt, Francis is only 6'3 2. Turnovers - Steve is still having trouble controlling the ball 3. We need a tough guy on our team, and Artest would be the perfect fit for that role.
it would be interesting to see Steve back in Houston, but IMO that would mean pushing JVG out as coach as we've seen that Steve doesn't like his style. I wouldn't mind seeing minor changes like bringing in Danny Fortson (who is hurt right now, but wants out of Seattle), someone who can provide some toughness and beat people up once in a while. Artest would be a rather big risk to take - look at Indy, they're closer to a championship than Houston and Artest pretty mcuh messed it up for them. He could very well do the same here. Then again, who knows until it actually happens?
I remember the guy from the Pacers saying for Artest he wanted young talent and/or expiring contracts. I think that hurt any rush to give up a big name for Artest. ANY TRADE is only good if Artest plays well and under control. I thought and still think Artest is a perfect fit on paper. Forces TMac to the 2 guard, with Skip at point. Gets his own shot, rebounds, great defender. All the commentators kept saying that if any team gets him it should be one that is on the cusp, one player away from putting them into the Elite. I kept thinking how that sounded like the Rockets. Swift for Artest. I think thats good. J.Howard has been the most durable and reliable guy on the team. Swift aint a starter anyway. Really, who knows what the Pacers team needs. They do need size. Croshere(9&6) is there most productive bigman after J.Oneal. Stro is still out though. so...
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Locke:</div><div class="quote_post">The Pacers and LA had a deal almost set up but Corey Maggette failed hs physical, so yes, the Clippers are not in the running anymore. If the Francis reports are true, then it could be a very interesting three-team trade. To say the truth, I'd like to see Francis in Houston more than Artest. Francis is desperate to return to Houston and his play in the second half of his last season with the Rockets was very good. Having a trio of Francis/McGrady/Yao could be great, but to get him I think we'll have to give up at least Alston and/or Swift.</div> Dude.. i wouldn't say anything while trading that. Ill just nod my head and say good trade.
As the looks of it, kings are officially out with artest saying he doesn't want to go to sacremento, clippers-out, Gs- seems out or the trade would have happened allready, lakers -denver- and houston are the only other teams that ive heard that have been interested in artest that r still in the running. I'm assuming Houston would be last of the three to have the chance of getting him, but with Lamar Odom a laker for sure, who else do they have to give. Denver seems like an option if they trade kenyon martin.
