Francis to the Knicks for Ariza and Penny's knees (jeez!)
Well, at least he's consistent...
Who you ask?... Francis?...no Thomas.
Isiah Thomas continues to spend big dollars in the hopes of finding a quick fix and the right mix as his New York Knicks have acquired Steve Francis from the Orlando Magic in exchange for Trevor Ariza and Penny Hardaway. Thomas keeps us all baffled by strange personnel moves and acquisitions and just can't stop taking chances on has-beens, rejects and headcases.
The 29 year old Francis is expected to team up with Marbury in the backcourt leaving Jamal Crawford in limbo yet again. Yet another shooting guard trapped in a point guard's body the Knicks now have a backcourt of Marbury, Francis, Crawford, Robinson,
Ariza, who according to rumors, has spent the season feuding with head coach Larry Brown can now step out of the shadows of Rose, Lee, Richardson and Woods into sunny Orlando where he will continue to hone his already superior defensive talent in anticipation of possibly hitting the free agent market this coming offseason, while playing behind Turkoglu (out with sprained ankle) or the on again off again Grant Hill (whose contract expires at season's end).
Penny Hardaway returns to his roots in Orlando looking nothing like the player the Magic once acquired in exchange for Chris Webber from the Golden State Warriors back in 1993. Hardaway has appeared in only 4 games this year, his last being December 9th where he showed up for a whole 7 minutes and has been plagued with knee problems but his contract expires at the end of the season and will give the Magic payroll flexibility heading into the offseason.
But who wins the deal you ask, strangely as it may sound if you look at the numbers one must answer that the Knicks do. Hardaway may never play again, Ariza is a free agent to be but Francis (although a perennial locker room distraction) is averaging:
Who you ask?... Francis?...no Thomas.
Isiah Thomas continues to spend big dollars in the hopes of finding a quick fix and the right mix as his New York Knicks have acquired Steve Francis from the Orlando Magic in exchange for Trevor Ariza and Penny Hardaway. Thomas keeps us all baffled by strange personnel moves and acquisitions and just can't stop taking chances on has-beens, rejects and headcases.
The 29 year old Francis is expected to team up with Marbury in the backcourt leaving Jamal Crawford in limbo yet again. Yet another shooting guard trapped in a point guard's body the Knicks now have a backcourt of Marbury, Francis, Crawford, Robinson,
Ariza, who according to rumors, has spent the season feuding with head coach Larry Brown can now step out of the shadows of Rose, Lee, Richardson and Woods into sunny Orlando where he will continue to hone his already superior defensive talent in anticipation of possibly hitting the free agent market this coming offseason, while playing behind Turkoglu (out with sprained ankle) or the on again off again Grant Hill (whose contract expires at season's end).
Penny Hardaway returns to his roots in Orlando looking nothing like the player the Magic once acquired in exchange for Chris Webber from the Golden State Warriors back in 1993. Hardaway has appeared in only 4 games this year, his last being December 9th where he showed up for a whole 7 minutes and has been plagued with knee problems but his contract expires at the end of the season and will give the Magic payroll flexibility heading into the offseason.
But who wins the deal you ask, strangely as it may sound if you look at the numbers one must answer that the Knicks do. Hardaway may never play again, Ariza is a free agent to be but Francis (although a perennial locker room distraction) is averaging:
16.2 ppg 1.1 spg 5.7 apg 4.8 rpg
"Stevie Franchise" should benefit the most from this trade as he looks to fit into the NY puzzle, will they make him the Pg so Marbury can stay healthy as they push to make up the 11 games they trail the Sixers by in the eastern conference for the eighth playoff spot.
There is some serious talent now in town for the Knicks, the only question is will it click?
A guy that was bothered by trade rumors in Disneyland is headed into the New York media factory.
This move by Isiah, barring another trade of course, only solidifies Jamal Crawford's place on the bench while Orlando's point guard tribulations are relieved yet unresolved, with Jameer Nelson (injured), Keeyon Dooling, Carlos Arroyo and Travis Diener all vying for playing time.
So Isiah what's next...Crawford and James to Utah for Boozer???
Magic sending Grant Hill away for retirement to...?
There is some serious talent now in town for the Knicks, the only question is will it click?
A guy that was bothered by trade rumors in Disneyland is headed into the New York media factory.
This move by Isiah, barring another trade of course, only solidifies Jamal Crawford's place on the bench while Orlando's point guard tribulations are relieved yet unresolved, with Jameer Nelson (injured), Keeyon Dooling, Carlos Arroyo and Travis Diener all vying for playing time.
So Isiah what's next...Crawford and James to Utah for Boozer???
Magic sending Grant Hill away for retirement to...?
