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Group Blog talking about the NBA 2009 Eastern Conference Champions. Due to the amazing success of the 2009 playoff run comments are now frequently deleted to kill offensive comments, incoherence, or asininity. Comments can no longer be anonymous and require either a Blogger or OpenID account.

Thursday, January 12, 2006

MAGIC: Steve Francis Suspended

posted by WeRDevos @ 2:47 PM  

14 Comments:

  • At 3:08 PM, Blogger Matt said…

    This is obviously right off the wire. I could not find any explanation as to why anywhere. I guess coach Hill took my advice on one-on-one with players virtually too far with one Steve Francis!!!, and then I don't want to guess what happened.

     

  • At 3:22 PM, Blogger OVERWADED said…

    Nice update. You guys were faster than ESPN! Haha... It was just posted on the Sentinel a few minutes ago. Sad though it may be, at least now we know there is something "wrong". I didn't think it was possible for Francis to just "fade away" the way he did. He had what, 2 or 3 games in a row with zero rebounds for the 1st time in his career? And for one of the better rebounding guards in the league that said something. I don't think it should have taken this long to come out. It was obvious there was a problem for a few weeks now.

     

  • At 3:22 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said…

    The wound burst. Too early to make loud statements about, but it just makes it clear something stinks in the Magic locker room.

     

  • At 3:32 PM, Blogger OVERWADED said…

    It’s interesting to think about. There were grumbles in the locker room when G Hill came back, of course because he was put right into the starting lineup, and taking his fare share of shots like he should. And now, Nelson has been getting more playing time, scoring a lot more, and taking some of the spotlight. Francis wants to be “the man”, but nobody can do it on their own. It’s all speculation right now, but I’m sure Francis isn’t happy with Nelson for the fact that it looks like he is taking his shots and job away from him. I look forward to hearing what the true issues are, if they ever come out that is.

     

  • At 3:35 PM, Blogger Matt said…

    Don't you think a Sprewell type of incident could be the case? I don't mean to be facetious, just to make it a bit more intriguing. I agree with WeRDevos that all fronts have been too quiet and boring as of late.

     

  • At 11:59 PM, Blogger OVERWADED said…

    There is an interesting article on the Sentinel that gives a little more info in why he is suspended.

    http://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/basketball/magic/orl-bk-spt-francis011206,0,6642353.story?coll=orl-magic

    Trade rumor already...
    David Aldridge mentioned a rumor on TV that would send Francis to the Timberwolves for Wally Szczerbiak and Trenton Hassell. I can't find any related articles online, but it was on ESPN tonight. I'm sure they'll be a lot of other rumors hit before anything happens.

     

  • At 12:15 AM, Blogger Matt said…

    This is like kindergarten stuff. Obviously Hill wanted to send Francis in a game that was well decided and he refused. Wrong and wrong, it's a tie. Sentinel's article claims that Francis's complaint about "plays not being called" for him in Detroit's game "angered Hill". If true, kindergarten stuff again. As for trading Francis, I reiterate what I have posted before that we cannot trade Francis for any other player than a comparable point guard. Jameer Nelson is not the type of player that could fill in as a starting point guard. No knock on Jameer, but he is too small for a starting point guard on any decent team. These kids better resolve their issues. Let's play ball.

     

  • At 12:53 AM, Blogger OVERWADED said…

    All of it does sound childish. And I agree with you, that based off of those statements, Hill and Francis could both be to blame.

    But, I do have to disagree with you on one thing Matt. I think Nelson, although small, will be a starter in this league. He changes the game for the positive to much. I know, critics will say it'll cause mis-match problems because he'll have trouble defending bigger guards. Then again, you could put a positive twist on it. Nelson forces the issue in every single game he plays. He puts the pressure on the other teams to actually find someone that can guard him and prevent him from penetrating. And honestly, he hasn't been "taken advantage" of that much this year. We'll just have to learn "good team defense".

    On the Brian Hill show tonight B Hill was asked if he thinks Jameer is a starter in this league. He said, in the summer, he didn't, but now, he feels he can start. It might not work, but I have a feeling if the Magic are trading Francis, it will not be for a point guard. From what I've read and heard, it seems they are planning on making making Jameer the future point of this team. Of course that is just my take on things, but honestly, there are not to many "true point guards" in the league anymore. Another thing to think about... Nelson is playing ball, PERIOD. If he is this good, in his 2nd year in the league, playing point, which is the toughest position in the NBA to play, just imagine what this guy will look like after 3, 4, 5, 6 years with Howard. You want to talk about great duos, in a silent unexpected kind of way, the Magic might have a serious one starting. Only time will tell...

     

  • At 9:13 AM, Blogger Matt said…

    Honestly, I am hesitant to wave off Jameer's chances to start in this league since the guy is a warrior. But him too is not a true point guard in terms of pass first and shoot second. He may learn to be, but it is still up in the air. I have painful memories of our small point guards being exploited so badly by bigger and stronger point guards of opposing teams, of all of which I could only accept Daryl for his defensive prowess and leadership on the court. It is clear that NBA is leaning, more and more, towards bigger point guards, and we cannot argue the logic of it. Regardless, it seems that we are forced into a situation that we may have to test the uncharterred waters. Jameer is a fighter and let's hope that he proves me and all the critics wrong.

     

  • At 11:32 AM, Blogger Ken said…

    Wow, this is the first i've heard this. I knew there was trouble in paradise when Fransics' production went from "hero to zero" the last few weeks.

    Personally, I think this all might have started last season with all the talk of moving him to the 2 guard spot. I think Francis looked at this move as a slap in the face. Sure, when he was interviewed he gave all the right answers (I just want to win) but his true colors can't be hid anymore. He feels he is being replaced by a younger, less turnover prone player and he's pissed about it. That, and the whole GHill thing was just icing on the cake for him.

     

  • At 1:30 PM, Blogger WeRDevos said…

    Everyone here is smart enough to know that if you try to send Francis in to play the last 3 minutes of a blow-out loss you are sending him a nasty message.

    If he's your only option, you ask him if it's o.k. and if he will do it. If he says he'd rather not, then send in Bo.

    Or, if you are a petty little dictator of a coach you send him in without asking then get him suspended when he refuses.

    I wonder what young Howard thinks of this, and if he knows Penny's cell phone number...

     

  • At 2:44 PM, Blogger OVERWADED said…

    Although Pete, you could argue that Houston got nothing also. Well, besides the next Grant Hill and huge contract that might haunt them for years to come. Of course his back might calm down, but he's not getting any younger, and as of right now, his back isn't getting any better. At least we got something to show for TMac. The only mistake, was trading Mobley for Christie.

     

  • At 3:05 PM, Blogger Matt said…

    Without being fully informed, I don't think T-Mac's back is that big of a worry. I remeber Larry Bird palyed with bad back for years. I could be wrong.

     

  • At 3:52 PM, Blogger OVERWADED said…

    Bird also had years where he played 6, 60, 45 games... I just remember going to Magic games seeing Bird laying on the side line or leaving the game due to his back. Either way, that's done already...

     

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