Steve Francis Provides Yao Ming, Tracy McGrady, & Houston Rockets With Third Scorer July 19 07 ESPN The Magazine reports Steve Francis has signed with Houston:
Steve Francis is going home. After three years of struggles in Orlando and New York, the former All-Star guard will return to the place of his greatest glory, the Houston Rockets. Francis was in Houston on Thursday to sign a two-year contract worth roughly $6 million with the Rockets. The club will announce the signing at a news conference on Friday.
"We’re extremely pleased that he’s going back to Houston," his agent, Jeff Fried, told The Associated Press. "Houston has always been home for Steve since he entered the NBA."
The 30-year-old Francis was recently bought out of the remaining two years, $34 million of his previous contract by the Portland Trail Blazers. He received nearly $31 million in the deal. With money being no factor, Francis chose the Rockets over Miami, Dallas and the Clippers.
My Quick Take: This deal could really benefit Houston and Francis. The Rockets are getting an athletic scorer at a discounted salary, while Francis gets another chance in his second-home. Yao and T-Mac need a wing-man, a so-called partner in crime. Bonzi Wells was supposed to fill this role last year, but it didn’t work out. Francis, if he accepts his third-banana status, could provide some much-needed scoring for the undermanned Rockets. But Houston must change their approach. Last year, under Coach Jeff Van Gundy, they were a slow-down, half-court team. Points were scarce; offense was an afterthought. T-Mac and The Franchise are two of the game’s best open-court players, so the Rockets’ new coaching staff must push the ball more. Easy points are always a positive.
Finally, Francis has had a tough go of things. Just a few years ago he was one of the game’s best, traded in a package for Tracy McGrady. Now he’s receiving left-over crumbs from a buyout. However, the exciting guard is home, back with the team he never wanted to leave. I expect him to thrive and, if all goes well, sign a long-term extension with the Rockets. Maybe then, Francis’ famous skip will return to his game. Click here to read and subscribe to Oly Sandor’s NBA Blog.
Posted by
Big K
on 09.3.2007 | Houston has too many guards now, T-Mac, The Franchise, Mike James, Rafer Alston,Luther Head and Bonzi Wells, I think that Mike James and Rafer alston should be traded for a solid, athletic power forward like Yi Jianlian of the Bucks. With him and Yao there would be no stoppoing the Rockets!!!! . | Posted by
on 07.27.2007 | ummmm, how can i put this............ wtf!!!! . | Posted by
energy971
on 07.24.2007 | Houston best starting 5 ????? what about the spurs one??? goto bed jerk houston has great players but its da kinda team that can not scare any other teams just because they re not steady and them players always get injured !!! I really looooooove tmac but i think hes disapointing he could be the best player in the nba but hes not giving 100% , too bad !!! and yao is just the guy that i hate to heard that hes great just because he did NOT prove anything to me . hes at all allstar game just because china china vote massively ( there too many to be defeat on votes) . | Posted by
J-Killer15
on 07.22.2007 | Let’s hope Steve doesn’t messes up the Rockets Chemistry up. . | Posted by
energy971
on 07.22.2007 | u’re all right james has to leave for a PF and haslem would be good!! but why did them chose james although they already have 2 guards ??? i m not a big fan of francis but i think he will provide some speed to the game!! but i do not see him as a SG hes too small , nevertheless i also think that rockets are disappoiniting for the squad they have tmac and yao r 2 all stars but they always get injured thats too bad !!!! Houston need to get a good rebounding guy like david lee its my opinion .anyway franciss arrival sounds like alley oop tiiiiiiiiiiiiiime wit tracy or snyder so get redy people . | Posted by
on 07.21.2007 | They should trade mike james for a pf. like lamar odom . | Posted by
on 07.21.2007 | the 1 who should be trade is mike james not alston.c: yao pf:?maybe mutombo, sf:t-mac , sg: alston and pg:francis . | Posted by
FZ
on 07.21.2007 | well, the official line for now, is C: Yao, Mutumbo Pf: Hayes, Scola, Novak Sf: Tmac, Battier Sg: Head, Brooks, Snyder Pg: Francis, James, Alston (In order of decreasing playing time) Possible trades: Alston, Wells, Sura, Reed . | Posted by
on 07.20.2007 | Go Stevie Franchise Is back . | Posted by
Supr-A
on 07.20.2007 | man.this is great. Yao Scola T-Mac Stevie Rafer. All of the starting lines are pure madness. The subs like Mike James Brooks is also great addition to this team. Let’s see how they blend under Adelman’s control. If they can blend well I’m sure they can bringback the title to Houston.. . | Posted by
YAO MING!
on 07.20.2007 | LMAO! C: Yao, Mutumbo PF: Scola, Hayes SF: Battier SG: Tmac, Wells, Head PG: Francis, James, Brooks I say we trade Alston for a decent forward to backup Battier, and 2008 Championship is OURS! LMAO at that lineup of Yao, Scola, Battier, Tmac, Francis. Without doubt, best starting 5 in the NBA. . | Posted by
Jacob from Australia
on 07.20.2007 | man all those people who are gettin ""interested"" in basketball ""again"" shouldnt bother coz they were neva real ball fans in the 1st place. u cant just h8 on bball becoz of a few teams mistakes!!! theres plenty of teams in the NBA, ABA, D-League, College and even High School bball to get excited and interested in basketball... and i really hope this scola kid can do good at PF. does any1 know of who could be competition??? wonder if he will start? . | Posted by
on 07.20.2007 | They already got too many guards even though francis is nice . | Posted by
Luke
on 07.20.2007 | I am very exciting as long as thinking the Five play for one team, Go Rokets!!! . | Posted by
waqas
on 07.20.2007 | He is back !!!!! steve O ha man he is amazin jus two word welcome back ! i am a # 1 fan of franchise he is cold blooded when he gets the playin time and healthy he can coross over anyone in the leauge and break down the defence at will thats what rockets needed ! of course he is very excitin to watch and play his hart out for the team Damn yall smell somethin CHAMPIONSHIP ALL REAdY man i cant wait to go to the games and even watch it on t.v GOO ROCKES!!!!! rockets are gettin excitin once again to watch ! peace . | Posted by
on 07.19.2007 | Damn about time the Rockets did something right. Now maybe I can get interested in Basketball again. GO ROCKETS!!!!!! . | Posted by
on 07.19.2007 | bouts time that nigga back with houston...i quit watching bc i dont like tmac or yao by himself with tmac...but when that nigga francis was with yao they was both nice...now ill guess i have to find a way to like t wak...at least i can watch the nba this year yall dig . | Posted by
wal
on 07.19.2007 | jus hope he dont suck this year to me he is one of those players who play good one year and bad the next like marbury because i really wanna see my boy tmac out the first round . | Posted by
Dean
on 07.19.2007 | guys The Rockets just got a forward dont u read the news,His name is Luis Scola,he is a two time MVP at the spanish league,and was a key winning Argentinas first gold medal. . | Posted by
cecil
on 07.19.2007 | I am a chinese fan. I like Francis very much.I am so excited that Francis can back to Houston.Best wishes to Francis.Yao,McGrady and Francis,It’s too nice.Now I want to watch Houston’s match so urgent.OH! I love Houstons and I love NBA! . |
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Oly Sandor | Daily take on NBA Oly Sandor is an NBA analyst and sports journalist based out of Vancouver, Canada.After years of the free-lance game, Oly Sandor is bringing his unique brand of NBA analysis exclusively to (...) More |
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