The Sports Corner

Steve Francis is finally a Grizzly, Merry Christmas Stu Jackson

When Steve Francis made it clear that he did not want to play for Vancouver, and Stu Jackson still decided to draft him over Lamar Odom, I’m sure Jackson has always hoped that Francis would eventually become a Grizzly.

Well, that happened today, when the Memphis Grizzlies made a deal with the Houston Rockets to send Steve Franchise to the Grizz in exchange for a conditional second round pick in 2011.

There’s something Jackson might not have seen in ‘99: his number two draft pick being worth a second rounder nine years later. (Stu Jackson conspiracy theory to follow)

Now, with the NBA’s top rookie OJ Mayo leading the terrible Grizzlies, who have already fired their coach and are off to a 9-19 start, are the Grizzlies any better? Well, with Mayo, Marc Gasol in the middle, Rudy Gay, and Mike Conley, they have finally found a veteran all-star guard to lead a bunch of not-yet-proven college stars.

But the real question is whether or not Francis can actually lead.

His best years are clearly behind him, and everybody knew about his selfishness the second he shook David Stern’s hand in New York after being drafted second overall, behind Elton Brand. But, his skill is undeniable, his crossover is Iverson-esque, and few guards in the last ten years have been able to attack the basket like Francis has.

This trade’s outcome will be decided almost solely on OJ Mayo’s ability to react to not being the number one option anymore. He has been his entire life. And of course Francis’ ability to realize that he probably isn’t the player he used to be, and that Mayo needs his touches in order for the Grizzlies to make the playoffs. As of this writing, they are eight games back of eighth place.

As for Houston, this was a complete salary dump for a guy who doesn’t play anyways. Dealing him to the East makes it even better just in case he does start to heat up in Memphis. 

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My Stu Jackson Conspiracy Theory.

Stu Jackson works for the league, right? The league knew that they needed a team in Canada, but I think they didn’t actually wanted one. Toronto is the biggest market in Canada, so that had to stay. Stern to Jackson: Drive the Grizzlies into the ground, and you’ve got a job. Well, Jackson passed up on stars such as Steve Nash, Tracy McGrady, Vince Carter, Kobe Bryant, and the list goes on. It was just the icing on the cake when he drafted Francis, who already made it clear that he wasn’t going to play for them. Mission accomplished, off to Tennessee.