I dont understand all the Francis bashing that goes on here. This guy is a supreme talent, he came here last year under the absolute worst circumstances and under the wrong coach. Every morning I come on here and I always see a new thread about trading Francis for garbage. I might be in the minority here but I think Marbury and Francis can co-exist and I think them together will be quite lethal.
Can we let this guy show us a little something before we're all calling for his head

Im always positive during the offseason, its when the season starts I become a maniac and break things

I'm not so sure why jeffries is penciled in as a starter...

I see a lineup of:

starbury, franchise, QRich, Frye, Curry

and a LETHAL energy bench of

nate, crawford, balkman, jeffries, lee

and accidentally (situational)
JeromeJames, Jrose, MoT, MRose, the other rookie

I would feel better about Francis if we had heard a peep about him talking with Zeke and being on board. I'm assuming HE wants to be traded. We'll see. If he's on board and playing hard, we'd be hard pressed to find a better shooting guard. The issue is still that he and Marbury need to give up the ball much more than they have in the past for this to work.

The only thing I've heard about Francis this summer is that he's been training with John Lucas again in Houston. I hate Lucas - I think he's a blow hard and an idiot who doesn't know a thing about the game of basketball. I remember very distinctly reading an article about Francis training with Lucas a few years ago where Lucas said two things that almost made me puke while laughing my ass off:

1) To Francis: "I've accomplished something in the NBA that you never have. I was the #1 pick." (nevermind that that is not really an NBA accomplishment at all, it has more to do with college and potential, but THAT is what he points to in his NBA career?)

2) Lucas to Francis: "You're not setting your sights high enough." Francis: what do you mean?
Lucas to Francis: "MVP"

it's the delusional leading the delusional. Now THAT, my friends, is delusion. Wow. I swear to god that was a real article.

After last season no one can expect to get equal value for Francis. Last season was very unique to say the least.

Francis can still fly. God he has an ugly jumpshot but he can make them. He sure made enough against the knicks over the years. Even before he got traded he led Orlando to an embarrasing whoppin on our knicks. Everyone did last year but Francis was key. Playing pick and pop with garrity of all people.

I think Francis is a *****, but I will say that Orlando made his situation more than it was. Orlando was ready to go with Nelson and they wanted Francis contract off the cap.

Anyway Francis can still ball. He shows on the court a great attitude and has always showed that he can get along with his teamates.

He has no choice but to show what he has left because of last year. So even if he wanted out he has no choice.

Posted by nixluva:

I think isiah will find a way to make it work. He actually prefers the old school way of playing with two GUARDS with no clear distinction of PG. Its not necessary. There have been many teams who've played with two guards who can both run the set and both score. Its all in the way you scheme and prepare your team to work. LB wasn't going to do that. He had his system and wasn't going to deviate from that. Isiah's system already fits that circumstance. I'm sure that he explained to Francis how he intends to use him this year and likely showed him some of the very plays that will make it easier for Francis to succeed here.

Bam! Craddle rock style!

Isn't Lucas the reason LeBron is a Cav? He knows how to play basketball but did not experience alot of success as a coach. When guys get the label 'players coach' it generally is not good. I wish Stevie was working out with Zo or someone famous for their work ethic and defense.

I don't bash Francis. I just don't think that he's a good fit for the team, first off. And secondly, he has always had attitude problems. Third, he couldn't guard a brick wall.

Posted by NYK3:

This guy is a supreme talent,

Thats your problem right there. I'm tired of acquiring talented players with questionable attitudes and pasts in the NBA. For all the talent that Francis has, he doesn't play defense and he's never led his team to ANYTHING, never been out of the first round, bitched and moaned to get his way out of Vancouver, bitched and moaned to get his way out of Houston and then he bitched and moaned to get his way out of Orlando. When does one realize its not the other guys around him but it's he HIMSELF whose the problem.

I have never cared for Francis or his game. I think he has always held himself in a much higher regard than he should have. He is very immature and does not yet see the value of a team game. Superstars are not traded 4 times early on in their career. Francis is not troubled like some players who overcome mistakes made when they are younger. Francis is a victim of his ego. He thinks he can do anything on the court better than his teammates and therefore should look for the opportunity to do it himself first. I was frustrated that he was taken with the #2 pick in the draft because I knew he didn't have the talent or mental makeup to live up to that. His frustrations with how his career has gone need to be redirected towards a level of maturity that recognizes how his play sabotages a team's success.