Steve Francis?

[Baller 24]

More importantly, Grant Hill has a basketball IQ, can pass, play defense, and is still more athletic at 35 on a club foot than Francis is at 30. He was also a vastly superior player to begin with.

I wouldn't say Hill is more athletic. But everything else is true, Grant Hill has high bball IQ and can penetrate, and play smart.

[BaYBaller]

I still have some hope for Francis next season. I don't agree with all the talk about being a bad fit with Adelman, being a ball hog/stopper, etc. T-Mac is also a ball hog/stopper, but he just happens to be a dominant scorer. If Francis can be a dominant scorer like earlier in his career Adelman will find a way to fit him in. But frankly this year he was out of shape and/or injured so it is hard to tell what's still there.

I do agree that if his athleticism is gone then he is done. He never was a great shooter, doesn't have a post-up game (i.e. Baron Davis and Andre Miller), nor respectable PG-skills (outside of handles).

[Nachbar_is_God]

if he's serious like he said he was on coming back next year, then he'll be ready to play. he's going to have a lot of time to rehab so i really hope he comes back 100% next year. At $1million he's a great bargain for what he'll be able to provide as healthy.

I think that under Adelman he'll be able to play effectively. He's only had a good coach 1 year of his career and that was the year he spent with JVG. He'll learn and he'll help us out.

[tosweet68]

Everyone that thinks that Francis will ever be a good basketball player again is just delusional. He had some good years once upon a time but that time has come and gone. I hope the Rockets trade him if he does pick up his option. With him and Jackson, we could trade for a pretty decent player.

[moofs]

I wouldn't say Hill is more athletic. But everything else is true, Grant Hill has high bball IQ and can penetrate, and play smart.

As far as jumping, yes that's true and always was. But he is better able to get past defenders still (faster and quicker first step, from what limited time I've seen of both of them this year). Different aspects of athleticism, and jumping isn't much good if you can't get around someone or power past them in the air anymore.

I still have some hope for Francis next season. I don't agree with all the talk about being a bad fit with Adelman, being a ball hog/stopper, etc. T-Mac is also a ball hog/stopper, but he just happens to be a dominant scorer. If Francis can be a dominant scorer like earlier in his career Adelman will find a way to fit him in. But frankly this year he was out of shape and/or injured so it is hard to tell what's still there.

I do agree that if his athleticism is gone then he is done. He never was a great shooter, doesn't have a post-up game (i.e. Baron Davis and Andre Miller), nor respectable PG-skills (outside of handles).

I don't think he was ever a dominant scorer. He was too inefficient and inconsistent. He was a guy who could create his own shot given the bulk of the shot clock and the entire rest of his team clearing the floor so he only had to break down one or two guys. "Dominant" to me is a guy who can get off a good shot given 3-4 seconds or less of the shot clock. The better the shot, the more it immediately skews the defense and/or helps set up offensive rebounds or some other aspect of the game plan, more defenders the shot can be made in spite of, etc, the more dominant.

I do still have *SOME* hope for him next year, but it's mainly as trade bait (if he's eligible for that) or a third string insurance policy if we can't find anyone else that's better (there are plenty). He did still surprise me with his somewhat improved playmaking and shot selection before he was benched for shooting horribly [as expected], which is either ... good... i guess.. or really sad/pathetic. Btw, where has he been over the last half of the season? I never see him on bench shots.

[aznkillabeezZz]

there's nothing left in the tank. He was last in the pecking order when he was healthy, behind rafer,mike james, aaron brooks, and luther head. There's no more motivation for him. He already hit the nba jackpot, lost all his athleticism through injury and i don't see him playing anymore.