Sometimes things come full circle, and in the case of Steve Francis, Christmas Eve brought his career full circle.

Originally drafted by the then-Vancover Grizzlies, Francis forced a trade to Houston after telling the Grizzlies he would not report to camp because Vancouver was too far from home. Nine seasons later, after his career as Houston's franchise player went south and led him on a brief tour of the league before he eventually landed back in Clutch City, Francis now finds himself headed back to the team that originally drafted him.

The real question here is whether or not Francis is actually ready to take the court. He spent the summer working with former NBA great John Lucas, hoping to not only return to the court but also play a significant role for championship contenders in Houston. He was never able to convince Rockets coach Rick Adelman that he could help the team, failing to dress for a single game to this point of the 2008-09 season. Francis has insisted to media numerous times that he's ready to play, and apparently the Grizzlies are ready to give him that shot.

You all remember when he wouldn't play for the Griz in Vancouver, when he was drafed, well, he's with them now, things truly have come full circle for Stevie "Franchise"

didnt know he was still in the league.

Karma is a mother shutyermouth

Posted by Knicksfansince94:

What happened to Stevie? Was it work ethic, genetics, or gayness?

Degenerative knee. Lost all his explosiveness.

Posted by Knicksfansince94:

What happened to Stevie? Was it work ethic, genetics, or gayness?

Genetically degenerated work ethics due to unrealized gayness...

Yeah I think this is a different situation. He didn't want to play in Vancouver. I have to imagine that Memphis is slightly more attractive.

Steve Francis is soft.

Steve Francis never learned the game of basketball. He was a very athletic player who was successful because he could physically or athletically dominate the player he was up against. If he made a poor decision his athletic ability could bail him out. He was also part of a generation of basketball players who were given nicknames, called "franchise" players and given the keys to the team before they ever proved anything on the floor. Stevie never had a reason to improve his game. A guy of his ability and lack of knowledge of the game should have had to earn his stripes coming off the bench. He should have had to learn how to play consistent defense and team ball before he was moved into the starting line-up. Instead coaches were encouraged or threatened into "maximizing" his talents and allowing him to dribble the clock down for 23 seconds before hoisting his own shot. You knew that as soon as he lost his athletic ability his game was going to disappear. It was inevitable.