Born A Day Apart And Now Joined
Authored by Christopher Reina - 22nd February, 2006 - 2:54 pm

On February 1st, I wrote an article about the possibility of Steve Francis coming to New York and how it might be just crazy enough to work. Here on the 22nd, about 24 hours before the deadline, the Knicks and Magic have completed a deal that will send Penny Hardaway and Trevor Ariza to Orlando for Francis, so we’ll get to see if it will.

The deal was going to center around Jamal Crawford and Maurice Taylor yesterday, but the Magic decided to take thier chances with cap room, as Hardaway and Ariza are in their walk years.

This trade resembles one that you’re more likely to see in your neighborhood fantasy league than in the NBA, but the Magic desperately wanted to unload Francis’ and his remaining salary, which is around $50 million over the next three seasons. Dwight Howard is not only the future, but also the present and the Orlando brain trust decided that his future should not include Francis.

Marbury and Francis, born one day apart in February of 1977, have combined for five All-Star Game appearances and will now combine to become the league’s most expensive backcourt and possibly one of the best. At first glance, Marbury and Francis have games that overlap in many ways, but they are different enough where they will each bring something unique to Larry Brown.
These are two very talented players entering their prime, who are likely to experience a rebirth of sorts by being paired. They both have a lot of pride for themselves as top tier guards in the league and will be carrying the load to get the Knicks back into the playoffs next season, as they need to become more than the sum of their parts. Judging how well this trade works for the Knicks will come more on how Marbury and Francis help Frye and Eddy Curry improve, more than their individual numbers.

"This is a trade that we all feel makes us a better basketball team for both now and in the future," said Isiah Thomas in a statement on Wednesday. "In Steve, we add an all-star caliber player to our team without giving up core assets that are key to our future."

There really is no such thing as salary cap hell for a team like the Knicks. Like the Yankees, the coffers are plentiful and no matter how high their payroll expands, they will have no problem retaining young talent like Channing Frye and Nate Robinson when they become restricted free agents in 2009.

In the end though, this is of course another double or nothing move and it is far from a lock for righting the Knicks ship and they are looking at a luxury tax hit of about $45 million for 06-07. But are the Knicks more talented than they were before this deal? Of course they are and it is now up to Larry Brown to find the right navigations over the last 30 games to head into this summer with some much needed relief and momentum.

Haven't seen such talented Duo since:

Wow those 2 make me yearn for the down to earth serious musicianship of milli vanilli.

Posted by EnySpree:

^^^Yo someone stick their faces in that pic!!!!

please don't
i know, its too much to ask for...

to me, it's not a bad backcourt. you could conceivably win with a backcourt of Francis and Marbury. The problem is how the rest of the team is built. You would need a shotblocking center and a rugged PF rebounder. We have neither. You'd need a versatile SF who could thrive off the ball and play some D. Oops.

Posted by djsunyc:




we're never gonna win again
just got shooters got no defense
though it's easy to pretend
i know you're not a fool

should've known better than to cheat the fans
and waste the chance that I've been given
so we're never gonna win again
the way I f cked with anu.......cha

careless isiah

[Edited by - djsunyc on 02-23-2006 1:57 PM]

Great job!

You know, theres a lot to learn from the break up of Wham!

It's a look!

Posted by djsunyc:

Posted by ultknicks524:

hahahahahahaha

lmfao!!!

Posted by EnySpree:

Posted by djsunyc:

Posted by ultknicks524:

hahahahahahaha

lmfao!!!

(sigh)

you are sick people...

ok, its funny

That is by far thee most disturbing thing I've seen this year.