Florida Today JACKSONVILLE - For the moment, Steve Francis still is playing his usual point-guard spot for the Orlando Magic. While the Magic's first two practices Tuesday were filled mostly with drills, when they did break into teams, Francis was at point guard. Francis' future has been up for debate most of this offseason, as the team contemplated switching him to shooting guard. Francis was third in the NBA in turnovers last season, and moving to shooting guard could make him more efficient and capable of scoring more. To facilitate that move, the Magic signed free-agent Keyon Dooling and drafted Travis Diener with a second-round pick. Also, Jameer Nelson is back after a solid rookie season. But on Tuesday, Francis was at point guard on the first team, while DeShawn Stevenson was at shooting guard. Nelson was at point guard on another squad, while Dooling was playing shooting guard alongside Diener on a third team. "That's the last thing I'm worried about," Francis said of a potential switch. "I'm just worried about getting in top shape by the end of this week and learning the offense and defense." Magic coach Brian Hill said he will likely shuffle the point guards after each practice. Pot shots. It has become quite apparent many players were upset with management and coaches last season. Johnny Davis was fired as head coach in March, and general manager John Weisbrod resigned in May. "Last year we didn't really have the whole coaching thing down," said Francis, who still is steamed that Weisbrod traded his friend, Cuttino Mobley, to Sacramento for Doug Christie. Christie played just 21 games before having ankle surgery and was waived in August. Added Francis: "When Cuttino was traded, that really hurt our team. And the person that we traded him for didn't really produce much and that took the wind out of our sails." Grant Hill repeatedly pointed out that the Magic got worse and not better under Davis. Source
Did'nt Hill or the Gm promise a starting job for Dooling? Its going 2 be a hard decision for the Magic to make but I like Francis at SG since he's a talented scorer and his strength puts up for his lack of height. Francis also turns the ball over alot. He lead that category a good part of last season. That saying Nelson should start at PG because he can control the game, handle and distribute the ball like a real PG. Dooling backs up Nelson and Stevenson backs up francis. So it will look like this.. PG-NELSON SG-FRANCIS SF-G-HILL PF-Howard C-Cato Thats a solid lineup if Hill can stay healthy.
If they Magic are trying to move Stevey Franchise to the 2 because they want to limit his turnovers I dont see it happening. Francis is the first option on the team and you gotta let him do his thing if you want him to produce for you or atleast score for you, Steve does dribble too much but the other areas of his game arent bad. Steve is a good player and he just needs to learn to limit his shot selection and change his judgement.
They switched Francis to the 2 and had alot of success doing it. I think they stay with the same lineup and this time they wont collapse like last year. Part of it because of the horrible trade for Christie.
I'm not hatin' cuz I loved Francis when he was here in Houston and admired his heart and intensity, but any team that has him as the starting PG will NOT go deep into the playoffs...He needs to be a 2 because he has a scoring mindset and is quick and aggressive when attacking the basket...
I think francis can do well at the 2 and move jameer at point. Starting jameer will hurt with size but can make up for it with speed and ability. I think dooling is use to coming off the bench and can provide us with the spark on D as well as creating shots for himself when the second string is in. That was a huge problem last year we were not able to score with the second unit it, the ball was not moving around and it really slowed us down.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting GotSkillz92:</div><div class="quote_post">They switched Francis to the 2 and had alot of success doing it. I think they stay with the same lineup and this time they wont collapse like last year. Part of it because of the horrible trade for Christie.</div> Success? We were 8-22(including 2-9 at the very end of the year) when they were starting at the end of the year. I still say Francis starting at PG, Stevenson at SG, HIll at SF, Dwight at PF, and Cato/Battie at C. Let Hill and Stevenson bring the ball up way more and that will alleviate the problem of his turnovers. Like I've been saying Jameer and Francis starting together would DESTROY our D. It wouldn't be so bad, but Hill isn't that great of a defender now with his ankle and he would have to guard the better of the SG/SF, which would cause wear and tear. Jameer could guard some of the PG's, but Francis CANNOT guard SG's.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting GatorsowntheSEC:</div><div class="quote_post">Success? We were 8-22(including 2-9 at the very end of the year) when they were starting at the end of the year. I still say Francis starting at PG, Stevenson at SG, HIll at SF, Dwight at PF, and Cato/Battie at C. Let Hill and Stevenson bring the ball up way more and that will alleviate the problem of his turnovers. Like I've been saying Jameer and Francis starting together would DESTROY our D. It wouldn't be so bad, but Hill isn't that great of a defender now with his ankle and he would have to guard the better of the SG/SF, which would cause wear and tear. Jameer could guard some of the PG's, but Francis CANNOT guard SG's.</div> At the end of the year the magic were starting Francis and Stevenson. Before that its was Nelson and Jameer. Im saying success within the turnover ratio and scored points. They didnt have Hill at the end of the year and they had no offense due to the departure of Mobley. Francis can guard SG's, he's quicker and stronger then most of them and his hops puts up for his lack of height. And Houston, last year with T-Mac, they still didnt make the 2nd round so dont blame francis for all those lost playoff games.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting GotSkillz92:</div><div class="quote_post">At the end of the year the magic were starting Francis and Stevenson. Before that its was Nelson and Jameer. Im saying success within the turnover ratio and scored points. They didnt have Hill at the end of the year and they had no offense due to the departure of Mobley. Francis can guard SG's, he's quicker and stronger then most of them and his hops puts up for his lack of height. And Houston, last year with T-Mac, they still didnt make the 2nd round so dont blame francis for all those lost playoff games.</div> Francis coudln't even guard the PG's, what makes you think he will be able to guard the SG's? Yes he has good hops, but most of the SG's have good hops. I wouldn't say he's stronger than most SG's, most PG's YES, but not SG's. Yeah you are right, I thought I remembered Francis/Jameer starting. We just rotated Francis, Jameer, Stevenson, Augmon, and Barrett around at the PG, SG, SF at the end. Check out the scores at the end of the season though. Our last 2 game we held opponent under 100(88 and 98) but the 9 games before that we allowed over 100, then 96 to Toronto, then 4 more games to that. I'm not worried about the scoring, it's just a matter of stopping.
