Steve Francis and Yao Ming: Real Friends

Obviously, Yao was a MUCH MUCH better teammate than Tmac, but it's not fair to blame Tracy for things like being in a suit or being on another team's bench. I never disagreed that Yao is closer to Stevie than he is to Tmac

 

SF3 was the unquestionable franchise player in Rockets team when Yao arrived. Whether that's good enough for a team is another topic, but Stevie really acted like one. He did take care of Yao, and let him feel he's welcomed. It was so important for a rookie, from a foreign country. Yao certainly appreciated that a lot, and the friendship started right from there.

I still vividly remember the game where Yao faced SF3 in Magic's uniform. At one point, Yao sank one free throw, SF3 stepped forward and was so ready to high five him. Then he suddenly realized how wrong that would be, and scratched his head and walked back awkwardly. That's how close they were.

TMac on the other hand, he was not as open as SF3, but he definitely respects Yao. I still believe his offensive exchange with Yao when he was in Orlando has won him over. You could tell from his post game interview, how much he wanted to play with a true big man. TMac respected Yao's game so much that he decided to play the second banana when he first arrived. Only after the 6-11 start and JVG's request, he stepped up more aggressively.

Yes, SF3 and Yao were closer than TMac and Yao were, but it had nothing to do with mutual respect, but rather timing and personalities.

But tinman, please let it go. All 3 of them have their own shortcomings, respectively, but during their Rockets tenure, in most time, all of them have given their best. That wasn't enough, but they tried hard, most of the time.

 

steve has many faults as a player but i have always loved the passion he showed on the court and appreciated the mentor role he assumed during yao's first year in houston and the subsequent friendship they enjoyed ever since.

 

I said it before. . . I will say it again

YOF >>>>> TMACoF

Rocket River

 

I'm seeing too much out of too little, but I like how it looks like Hakeem is walking tall with a slight limp

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As brash and reckless that Francis could be, sometimes guys like that actually are drawn to that GOOD dependable presence. Its usually the safe guys drawing influence from the "edgy" guy. But sometimes its the other away around, too. I guess its about the mutual SINCERITY of the person, even if its "hot" or "cold". And why McGrady who while NOT a bad guy, he comes off as aloof and restrained and doesnt seem to relate as well.

 

Steve Francis was the only teammate that would throw an alley oop to Yao!