I don't know, I don't remember everyone's position on the trade, but the one guy who I do recall in support of it was oohah. Not that there's anything wrong with that, it's just ironic in the face of holfresh's misguided assault.
Dude! Bro! Homez! If you're going to cite me, please be accurate! I
PREDICTED that Francis would be traded to the Knicks, I was never like: "Isiah, you better go get Francis!". I was not in support of trading Ariza either, I was one of Ariza's biggest supporters around here even after 9/10'ths of UK had turned on him, similar to the way they have Frye. Long, uber-athletic, team oriented players like Ariza do not grow on trees, and I have always maintained that even a small improvement in Ariza's shot would make him into a pretty good player.
If I recall correctly, my scenarios for Francis were in the vein of: Crawford/Penny for Francis.
However, I did think that a Marbury/Francis backcourt could be formidable, though they are a mismatched pair, because of sheer talent. For instance, the two-legged Francis is unquestionably better than Crawford.
I did not like the motive behind the Francis trade: Brown trying to make the point that he could crush any player on the squad, paired with the motive of trying to oust Marbury in favor of Francis.
Still though, I did not, and would not have a problem with the Francis trade from a basketball standpoint if we had the real Steve Francis, instead of the peg-leg Francis. Because again, that would be better than anything we are putting out there right now, and a high-performing Francis I saw as a vehicle to acquiring Ray Allen, who does fit in well with a Marbury type.
One last thing: I have never really liked Francis' game, but I am rooting for him because he is a Knick, and he has shown some heart as a Knick.
oohah
