http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/bk/bkn/4982185. html?plckCurrentPage=5 Three seasons and three teams removed from the Rockets, Steve Francis will return to the team for which three times he was an All-Star. Once known as "Franchise" as the cornerstone of the Rockets' planned post Hakeem Olajuwon rebuilding, Francis chose to return the Rockets on Thursday, passing on more lucrative offers from the Heat, Mavericks and Clippers. "I think he sees this as a rebirth, as a restart of his career," Rockets general manager Daryl Morey said. "Steve has a sense we're real close. We think he can be a big part of getting us there. I always thought it was a long shot. Credit to Steve, he chose what he thought was the best chance to win over options that were better financially. "There was always a chance that Steve would choose Houston, until Steve told me today himself he was coming it felt like a long shot. Jeff Fried was doing a great job as an agent creating options. It came down to Steve focusing on what was the most important to him and that was winning." The Rockets were limited to the portion of the mid-level exception remaining after acquiring forward Luis Scola last weeks, worth $2.4 million the first year. He will sign a two-year contract with the option to opt out after one season. Francis played five seasons for the Rockets, averaging 19.3 points, 6.4 assists and 6.1 rebounds. He was traded in June, 2004 to the Orlando Magic along with Cuttino Mobley and Kelvin Cato in the deal to acquire Tracy McGrady. After one strong season with the Magic, he was dealt to the Knicks the next season and generally struggled to regain the form of his first years in the league, usually coming off the bench in the Knicks' crowded backcourt and battling knee troubles last season. Francis is scheduled for a physical this afternoon, but has reported no problems with the knee since last season. "It's a combination of a variety of factors including the fit with the team, a comfortableness with the organization and a familiarity with the surroundings," Fried said. "He has a home in Houston. In so many ways, it has remained his home, despite some interim stops, Orlando and New York. "For Steve, it's coming home." Dealt the Portland Trail Blazers after the season, he accepted a buyout of the last two seasons of his contract, worth roughly $30 million. He had considered offers to reunite with Mobley, a friend and former teammate, and Sam Cassell, a friend and business partner, with the Clippers, and to play with each of the 2006 NBA Finals teams, the Mavericks and Heat. "It's a chance to win," Morey said. "Both Yao (Ming) and Tracy really helped with the recruiting process and are excited about our chance to win with the additions in the off-season," Morey said. "We're feeling good we've addressed a lot of our goals." The addition of Francis will likely trigger more changes. He would give the Rockets five point guards. Morey has said he is seeking to move John Lucas III. Several teams, the New Orleans Hornets in particular, have indicated interest, but Morey said nothing is imminent. With Francis on the roster, he could also seek to deal last season's starter, Rafer Alston. "When you have a chance to add a talent like Steve who really fits what coach (Rick Adelman) is trying to do, you do it," Morey said. "Now we have a lot of talent on the roster. Coach and I have to figure out the best way to make it work. What our plans are is still to be determined. Because this was a bit of a long shot, we haven't spent a lot of time on what was the right next step in the coming weeks." [email protected] http://bbs.hoopchina.com/htm_data/44/0707/215676.html Hoop翻译: 三年了，漂泊了三个地方，离家的孩子终於回来了，回到了这个他曾三次当选全明星的地 方。作为曾经的奥拉朱旺的接力手，弗朗西斯放弃了迈阿密海滩、小船上、小妞的勾引， 选择回归火箭。 「在这里他会获得重生」，火箭首席白魔法师莫雷这样说道。 火箭只有一个中产，弗朗西斯只能和斯科拉分摊，他签了两年的合同，第一年240万， 第二年球员选项。 弗朗西斯在火箭打了前五个赛季，平均19.3分，6.4个助攻，6.1个篮板。2004年6月， 他被送到魔术，换来了麦格雷迪，一年後，他又被抛弃到了纽约，心有不甘的坐着板凳。 弗朗西斯计划在今天下午体检，事实上自上个赛季他的膝盖就没有任何问题了。 Fried曰：「世人皆惑，良禽择木而硒，弗朗西斯缘何锺情於火箭。吾观之不外有三， 球队者一也，家庭者二也，环境者三也，其曾栖於休城，其妻妾亦多居於休城，落叶归根 ，好逑淑女，人之常情也，虽圣人亦难割舍，况弗朗西斯乎」。 最初他曾考虑去快船和老猫，外星人联手，也曾考虑过热火和小牛。 「但我们获得了胜利」，莫大先生如实说道：「为了弗朗西斯的回归，姚明和麦格雷迪作 了很多努力，对於这个结果他们也很兴奋，我们的感觉很好，我们的目标是总冠军！」 弗朗西斯的加入将会触发新的交易，莫大先生说他正试图送走卢卡斯，有几支球队，尤 其是黄蜂对卢卡斯有极大的兴趣。弗朗西斯回来了，莫大先生甚至可以送走上个赛季的先 发控卫阿尔斯通。 「当你有机会获得一个既有天赋又适合阿德尔曼的球员时，你就要尽力得到他」，莫大先 生道「现在球队已经有了很多有天赋的球员，教练和我决定好好部署下一阶段的计划，我 们将会详细考虑接下来的几个星期里该如何操作，力求放长线钓大鱼！」 -- PO完这篇要出门了... --

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