Steve Francis has spurned the Clippers, Heat and Mavericks to return to "I just hung up with Daryl (Morey, the Rockets general manager)," [Francis' agent Jeff] Fried said. "He is dealing with facilitating the contract.A lot of people (including myself) figured Francis was a shoe-in to sign with the Clippers, where he would be reunited with man-friend Cuttino Mobley. But as FanHouse reader cdrive pointed out, Francis has a pretty good friendship with Yao Ming, as well, which may have been a factor.
"It's a combination of a variety of factors including the fit with the team, a comfortableness with the organization and a familiarity with the surroundings. He has a home in Houston. In so many ways, it has remained his home, despite some interim stops, Orlando and New York.
"For Steve, it's coming home."
Either way, he now becomes the fifth point guard on the roster, joining Mike James, Rafer Alston, John Lucas and rookie Aaron Brooks. Needless to say, don't be surprised if the Rockets aren't done dealing, as they could certainly stand to thin out some of that bloated backcourt depth.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
7-19-2007 @ 3:29PM
rvca said...
Nice signing. This ensures the Rockets will never get passed the first round. Are you kidding me? Mr. Dribble out the shot clock on every possession is back.
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7-19-2007 @ 3:56PM
Unsilent Majority said...
Cuttino just slit his wrists in a tub of tepid water.
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7-19-2007 @ 4:05PM
brad said...
So Lucas and Skip are probably on their way out of town now. Perhaps they could be packaged for a second round pick, because they aren't very useful on their own.
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7-19-2007 @ 4:11PM
CasaNova said...
Welcome home Stevie! No hard feelings little fella, we still love ya! I am still the top dog, and Yao and I are now buddies too, he has grown so much while you were gone, so don't go getting your panties in a wad as the 3rd option, Remember the three Musketeers! OOOhh and please just one more favor, please pass the damn ball this time. Now lets go get our title.
Thanks your hommie.
T-Mac
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7-19-2007 @ 4:54PM
Wang said...
So it is an exciting news to rockets fan,I guess the starting line up of next season would be Steve,Tmac,Battier,Scola and Yao Ming.Maybe Lucas and Head are on the way
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7-19-2007 @ 5:35PM
SHOTT3R said...
Maybe they're doing a sign and trade with the Clipper. Poor Miami. NOT
hahahaha
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7-19-2007 @ 5:35PM
SHOTT3R said...
Maybe they're doing a sign and trade with the Clippers. Poor Miami. NOT
hahahaha
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7-19-2007 @ 5:47PM
Jaz said...
Dribble, dribble, dribble, dribble, crossover, shoot. Van Gundy might have died of a stroke right there on the sideline.
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7-19-2007 @ 9:48PM
CasaNova said...
Welcome home Stevie! No hard feelings little fella, we still love ya! I am still the top dog, and Yao and I are now buddies too, he has grown so much while you were gone, so don't go getting your panties in a wad as the 3rd option, Remember the three Musketeers! OOOhh and please just one more favor, please pass the damn ball this time. Now lets go get our title.
Thanks your hommie.
T-Mac
Reply
7-19-2007 @ 10:04PM
edisontjj said...
it's such cool
make me excited
and the Rockets will be great in next season
and the Lucas and Alston r on the way
anywazy
Steve r such popular in China
i luv u***
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7-20-2007 @ 2:15AM
go2act said...
welcome home, Steve!!
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7-20-2007 @ 3:24AM
Daniel Deitschel said...
I'm sure the good folks of Houston will enjoy watching Stevie Franchise run up-and-down the court with a giant fork in his back.
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7-20-2007 @ 3:33AM
MistaB said...
Wow, I was pissed when they replaced Francis with another Francis-like player (T-Mac). So this move makes no sense to me, but I do know that I feel a tremendous amount of headache's coming on this season. I guess that's what Miller lite is for.
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7-20-2007 @ 1:40PM
TJ said...
What the heck. The Rockets get Mike James and then Steve Francis. Thats a total of 3 average point guards. We need to trade some of these guys. I'm guessing that Alston is goingto be the first one to go.
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7-21-2007 @ 12:58AM
screw_ston713 said...
damn ima die hard rox fan and u cant please houston fans for shyt. going into the offseason morey only had the mle to offer a player. he traded spanoulis who pubically said he didnt want to play in the u.s for scola who is believed to be the best international player not currently in the nba. morey also trades ageing howard for mike james then picks up steve. already this team is better than last years. what the hell do u whinners want k.g at power foward steve nash at point trade tmac to lakers for kobe get real. we could be like lakers with a unhappy star and the front office not even trying to get players to compliment our stars.
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7-21-2007 @ 1:09AM
screw_ston713 said...
how long ppl gone hold on to steve skipping practice to attend the superbowl that was like 3 years ago damn let it go. ppl quick to judge. what nba player dosnt have bad years in the nba. steve is 30 and matured and i believe u will see a better steve because adelman will bring the best outta of him. i rather go into the season with mike james steve francis and brooks as my guards then rafer head and lucas. francis is a low risk high reward we only signed him for less than the mle
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7-22-2007 @ 4:25AM
louis avenir said...
nice 1! houston's starting line up
PG-Mike James
SG-Steve Francis
SF-Tracy McGrady
PF-Shane Battier
C-Ming Yao
Rockets will be champion
Reply
7-31-2007 @ 12:29AM
fabio said...
steve is back ,
get over it guys,
the rockets have to be somewhat better,
believe it or not,
he's grown up and understands hes not gonna have the ball all the time, he just wants to win now,
no matter what he has to do.
thats why he came back!
good job houston
Reply