Steve Francis to return to Rockets!!!!!

[MarcoFromHouston]

from Chron.com

Three-time All-Star picks former team over Heat, Mavs and Clippers.

Three seasons and three teams removed from the Rockets, Steve Francis will return to the team for which three times he was an All-Star.

I've always been a big Steve Francis fan! This is awesome!

[Sonny]

Originally Posted by mtorres123

from Chron.com




I've always been a big Steve Francis fan! This is awesome!

He was just a huge ball hog!!!!!!! Maybe T-Mac will smack some sense into that fool.

[Sonny]

With the signing of Francis the Rockets might a contending squad to compete against the likes of Dallas, SA, & Phoneix.

Rick Adelman as head coach has sparked a new attitude into Bonzi Wells. The additions of Mike James and Luis Scola will add some much needed offense!

Sign, trade or buy Yi Jianlian and let's bring back the twin towers asain style!!!!

[wfc73]

He's not the Stevie Franchise of old. He's on the decline and is now the oft injured Steve Francis. They just added to an already overloaded back court that they needed to downsize anyway. I hope his ego is on the decline along with the rest of him or else I don't know what role is going to fill that Mike James isn't already slotted to for. I hope I'm wrong on this one, but I don't see this addition as an upgrade in talent or depth.

[Ray]

An old sock would be an upgrade over Rafer Alston. I think Francis is past the point of wanting to be 'the man' and ready to be part of 'a team' and just WIN.

[wfc73]

you make a good point about Alston but I think he will play better in the "new" offense than in the Van gundy era. I hope you're right about Francis too. I guess I just keep hearing "I built this place by myself" in my head. But in truth, he has more motivation to get with the program here than rock the boat.

[EagleGirl]

Didn't catch which team it was, but didn't a team just pay 30 MILLION dollars to get him off their roster? How can this be a good thing? From what I hear the Rockets need a forward, not another point guard.

[MarcoFromHouston]

Originally Posted by grammiejo

Didn't catch which team it was, but didn't a team just pay 30 MILLION dollars to get him off their roster? How can this be a good thing? From what I hear the Rockets need a forward, not another point guard.

"Francis became a free agent thanks to a $30 million buyout agreement with the Trail Blazers after he was traded by the Knicks to Portland."

Holy Moley!!!

They basically said "Here's a suitcase with money. Please take it and don't play for us."

Stevie - "Pleasure doing business with you folks. Have a nice day!" (as he leaves $30 million richer).

Ahhhhh........ the life of a pro ball player.

[MarcoFromHouston]

All I know is that we are getting a player who averages 15 pts, 5 assists, & 5 rebounds per game (not to mention some killer blocks!)..... for 2.4 million!

Also, he can play and defend both the point or shooting guard.

I say he works off the bench backing up TMAC & whoever is starting @ point.

[Collins]

I'm still not sold on this move. If we didn't already have Mike James I could understand.

But on the plus side, Skip is probably all but gone (assuming we can find someone to take him in a trade).

[HOUSCOUS]

It's really cool to see steve back. Now just hope there's chemistry among the team.

[Ray]

The buyout was one of the conditions of the trade. Maybe the knicks were trying to help him out, I dunno.

Originally Posted by mtorres123

Holy Moley!!!

They basically said "Here's a suitcase with money. Please take it and don't play for us."

Stevie - "Pleasure doing business with you folks. Have a nice day!" (as he leaves $30 million richer).

Ahhhhh........ the life of a pro ball player.

[wfc73]

Originally Posted by Collins

I'm still not sold on this move. If we didn't already have Mike James I could understand.

But on the plus side, Skip is probably all but gone (assuming we can find someone to take him in a trade).

It may not be Alston that gets moved. I think it's more likely that JL3 as a young developing talent(potentially) and Luther Head's 3-point skills could make him a better comodetity for some team needing bench depth on the cheap. For some reason I think Adelman is going to like Alston's up-tempo game and want to keep him.

[Ray]

JL3 is definitely gone, they already stated they were looking for teams to send him to. Alston said on the radio the Rox are moving in another direction and he won't be here, I would think if they were planning on keeping him they would have let him know.

Brooks>Alston already imo. Faster, smarter and a MUCH better shooter. C-ya Skip.

[HOUSCOUS]

Is that a possibility:

Trading Kevin Garnett seems possible right now.