Steve Francis
Okay, there is a name that I had not considered once this offseason. Not once. So what changed? Well 1) Orlando might be trying to make him into an OG, which got me thinking; 2) rumors are he might be on the block; 3) rumors are also that the Lakers may be interested, and that Odom is NOT part of the discussion. Which would mean Kobe/Odom/Brown AND Francis?? Could blow up spectacularly, but that's a frightening load of talent if PJ gets them all pointed in one direction.
Anyway, if Odom is not involved the absolute best deal I could see the Lakers come up with is Mihm, Bynum, Vlade and George. Think it works under the cap rules. Why would Orlando do that? Well, turns out they are setting themselves up to have a REAL big summer next year, with a bunch of major contracts coming off the books (Cato, Christie, Battie), you throw in Vlade and George and they clear $32 Million off the cap in one summer! Sign whoever they want. Meanwhile, they pick up a servicable young starting center to temporarily pair with Howard to give them a big big frontline, and they acquire a young giant who could one day team with Howard to form the most dominant frontcourt in the game (in theory).
Ok, enough about the Lakers/Orlando. Here is the question -- the best counter to the Lakers offer I could come up with for us that worked financially was Bobby/Tag/Martin and one of Skinner or Corliss or Kenny (Orlando choice). Bobby and Tag are ending contracts, while Bobby gives them at least a year of help at the PG while the kid grows and help at OG where they are weak. Replaces some of the physicality lost in Francis. Kevin becomes their young starting OG prospect (to be mentored by Doug again). And Skinner, Corliss or Thomas is the guy to make the salaries match. Let's just say Kenny because he is the most talented and youngest, and because Orlando has plenty of cap room and may not be as worried about his deal. Who knows whether Orlando accepts it (I wouldn't). But if they really want to clear Francis's salary and get some new stars of their choice next summer, suspose there's always a chance (and if the Lakers are somehow in the running wihtout giving up Odom, then this would not be entirely out of line). Then they could rename themselves the Orlando Kings!
(Doug, Hedo, Bobby, Tag, Martin, Thomas).
So:
Bobby/Kenny/Tag/Martin for Stevie Franchise. Do you do it?
Plusses:
-- dynamic physical force, nearly unstoppable on the drive. Providing us with one of the traits we largely lack.
-- draws a ton of fouls. Something else we currently lack.
-- strong and with good size for a PG, so might be able to defend the OG positon adequately.
-- huge rebounder for a PG, be strong even for an OG
-- be a great passer for an OG. Also obviously be the backup PG, killing two birds with one stone.
-- would be able to share ballhandling duties with Mike, and let Mike play off the ball at times to maximize his shooting.
-- age 27, same area as rest of core. Bibby/Francis/Peja/Miller.
Minuses:
-- known as a selfish player, but perhaps being off the ball at OG minimizes the damage from a shoot first mentality
-- has the bball IQ of a rock
-- poor shot selection
-- turnover king as a PG
-- only 6'3", so we'd be undersized again. Although as noted Francis plays big.
-- chemistry. Francis has often been a walking headache. Literally.
-- Mobley factor. Any lingering issues?
04/05 Stats:
21.3pts (.423 FG% .299 3pt% .823 FT%) 5.8rebs 7.0ast 1.4stl 0.4blk 4.0TO
Okay, there is a name that I had not considered once this offseason. Not once. So what changed? Well 1) Orlando might be trying to make him into an OG, which got me thinking; 2) rumors are he might be on the block; 3) rumors are also that the Lakers may be interested, and that Odom is NOT part of the discussion. Which would mean Kobe/Odom/Brown AND Francis?? Could blow up spectacularly, but that's a frightening load of talent if PJ gets them all pointed in one direction.
Anyway, if Odom is not involved the absolute best deal I could see the Lakers come up with is Mihm, Bynum, Vlade and George. Think it works under the cap rules. Why would Orlando do that? Well, turns out they are setting themselves up to have a REAL big summer next year, with a bunch of major contracts coming off the books (Cato, Christie, Battie), you throw in Vlade and George and they clear $32 Million off the cap in one summer! Sign whoever they want. Meanwhile, they pick up a servicable young starting center to temporarily pair with Howard to give them a big big frontline, and they acquire a young giant who could one day team with Howard to form the most dominant frontcourt in the game (in theory).
Ok, enough about the Lakers/Orlando. Here is the question -- the best counter to the Lakers offer I could come up with for us that worked financially was Bobby/Tag/Martin and one of Skinner or Corliss or Kenny (Orlando choice). Bobby and Tag are ending contracts, while Bobby gives them at least a year of help at the PG while the kid grows and help at OG where they are weak. Replaces some of the physicality lost in Francis. Kevin becomes their young starting OG prospect (to be mentored by Doug again). And Skinner, Corliss or Thomas is the guy to make the salaries match. Let's just say Kenny because he is the most talented and youngest, and because Orlando has plenty of cap room and may not be as worried about his deal. Who knows whether Orlando accepts it (I wouldn't). But if they really want to clear Francis's salary and get some new stars of their choice next summer, suspose there's always a chance (and if the Lakers are somehow in the running wihtout giving up Odom, then this would not be entirely out of line). Then they could rename themselves the Orlando Kings!
(Doug, Hedo, Bobby, Tag, Martin, Thomas).So:
Bobby/Kenny/Tag/Martin for Stevie Franchise. Do you do it?
Plusses:
-- dynamic physical force, nearly unstoppable on the drive. Providing us with one of the traits we largely lack.
-- draws a ton of fouls. Something else we currently lack.
-- strong and with good size for a PG, so might be able to defend the OG positon adequately.
-- huge rebounder for a PG, be strong even for an OG
-- be a great passer for an OG. Also obviously be the backup PG, killing two birds with one stone.
-- would be able to share ballhandling duties with Mike, and let Mike play off the ball at times to maximize his shooting.
-- age 27, same area as rest of core. Bibby/Francis/Peja/Miller.
Minuses:
-- known as a selfish player, but perhaps being off the ball at OG minimizes the damage from a shoot first mentality
-- has the bball IQ of a rock
-- poor shot selection
-- turnover king as a PG
-- only 6'3", so we'd be undersized again. Although as noted Francis plays big.
-- chemistry. Francis has often been a walking headache. Literally.
-- Mobley factor. Any lingering issues?
04/05 Stats:
21.3pts (.423 FG% .299 3pt% .823 FT%) 5.8rebs 7.0ast 1.4stl 0.4blk 4.0TO
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