Now Steve Francis is getting the China bug

[Ced]

http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/blog/ball_d ... nba-269624

Three-time All-Star and former Houston Rockets guard Steve Francis said on Wednesday that he hopes to play basketball in China if the condition is right.
Francis, who is loved and remembered by many Chinese fans as a superb basketball player and the "big brother" to Houston Rockets center Yao Ming(notes), said in an interview with Xinhua that he loves China and his Chinese fans.
The 33-year-old, once known as "Franchise" as the cornerstone of the Rockets', said he cannot afford to sit on the bench while he can play.
He has recovered from the injuries that had plagued the late years of his basketball career and can return to the basketball court, he said.
"I will play in China if the money is good," he said. "Coaching is also an option."

I wish someone would give him another shot in the NBA, if he has really recovered from his injuries.

[Optimism Prime]

http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/blog/ball_dont_lie/post/Now-Steve-Francis-is-getting-the-China-bug;_ylt=ArzirdiJJuDSdD6FZIny9oa8vLYF?urn=nba-269624

Three-time All-Star and former Houston Rockets guard Steve Francis said on Wednesday that he hopes to play basketball in China if the condition is right.
Francis, who is loved and remembered by many Chinese fans as a superb basketball player and the "big brother" to Houston Rockets center Yao Ming(notes), said in an interview with Xinhua that he loves China and his Chinese fans.
The 33-year-old, once known as "Franchise" as the cornerstone of the Rockets', said he cannot afford to sit on the bench while he can play.
He has recovered from the injuries that had plagued the late years of his basketball career and can return to the basketball court, he said.
"I will play in China if the money is good," he said. "Coaching is also an option."

I wish someone would give him another shot in the NBA, if he has really recovered from his injuries.

Francis coaching = Bill Simmons needs to recalibrate the unintentional comedy scale.

[moofs]

"No no no no no!!!"
"You aren't passing the ball to the other team enough!"
"Look, this game is about EN TER TAIN MENT, you gotta involve the fans, so once a game, throw someone in the 7th row a behind the back pass. Unlike the front row people, those guys don't hardly ever get to sit there - show some love. If they give the ball back too slow, take off and do a fancy dunk and try to get a delay of game or something."
"And above all else, you gotta have ya'self a boy on the team. Someone you can confide in, pass to occasionally. Someone who'll wash your back in the shower when you can't reach... *sigh*"

[Optimism Prime]

"No no no no no!!!"
"You aren't passing the ball to the other team enough!"
"Look, this game is about EN TER TAIN MENT, you gotta involve the fans, so once a game, throw someone in the 7th row a behind the back pass. Unlike the front row people, those guys don't hardly ever get to sit there - show some love. If they give the ball back too slow, take off and do a fancy dunk and try to get a delay of game or something."
"And above all else, you gotta have ya'self a boy on the team. Someone you can confide in, pass to occasionally. Someone who'll wash your back in the shower when you can't reach... *sigh*"

Pretty much.

As far as "serious" analysis goes--what made Stevie great were things that can't be taught; he was an incredible athlete. That can't be passed along.

Unfortunately, all his bad habits--selfishness, bickering, self above team--can be passed along. Poor choice of career, Franchise. Leave it be.

[TMU]

I remember when Stevie Francis refused to play for the Vancouver Grizzlies, because he thought it was far away from home.

[Kal El]

best wishes goes out to stevie... i know his career ended too early and now that he claims to be injury free, he will get some decent competition in china to get the competitive juices pumping.

as far as him playing in the NBA, he could probably make for a decent back up 12-18min a game. he has a decent jump shot at that role and he can run the offense. but as we all know, stevie's game relied heavily on his athleticism and without his legs he was a completely different player.

so good luck to him in china... as far as coaching goes, i never looked at him to be one but we'll see i guess

[playaloc916]

I wonder if we're going to see (well, probably read about) an old AI against an old Franchise, in China? Would've been nice to see, 5-10 years ago, but now, not so much. Wait a minute, isn't Marbury there too?

[Jaykoolzboy]

Wow

Steve Francis Vs Stephen Marbury Vs Allen Iverson + Michael Finley (he is going to sign with some Chinese team)

that tells you it's the true privilege that one can play in the NBA, please cherish your privilege.

[Kal El]

so how would you guys rate the chinese league compared to other leagues? it seems to be gaining popularity with the nba players. unless im mistaken, the european leagues are accepted as the the 2nd best league after the nba... i wonder why these guys don't opt to go there instead?

[M4P]

so how would you guys rate the chinese league compared to other leagues? it seems to be gaining popularity with the nba players. unless im mistaken, the european leagues are accepted as the the 2nd best league after the nba... i wonder why these guys don't opt to go there instead?

Meh. It actually takes talent and a team first mentality to make it in the Euroleague. The CBA is just full of chuckers and guys way past their prime.

[zapatasblood]

Let him rot in China

[spolgar]

NBA's marketting in Japan, Taiwan, Hong Kong and now China itself is immensely successful.