Steve Finally Claims His Team

DaneB · Feb 4, 2001

http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/story.hts/sports/bk/bkn/814325

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Francis rightfully asserts leadership
By FRAN BLINEBURY

SAN ANTONIO -- He talked. They listened.

He didn't single out anyone by name. Never pointed accusing fingers at an individual. But they knew who he was talking about. And he knew they knew.

"I got the look from some of them," Steve Francis said. "The kind of look that says, `Guilty.' "

Everybody's been telling him this is going to be his team since the day he arrived, and the kid point guard finally decided it was time to show some pride of ownership.

The Rockets had been slapped silly in consecutive games on their home court, losing by 18 to Miami and by 17 to the LA Clippers in affairs that were never really that close.

Both times Francis cut loose with stinging criticism of his team's play. He questioned the commitment and professionalism of some of his teammates. He said he didn't blame the fans in Compaq Center for booing the Rockets, even though it hurt him deeply to hear it.

He said it was time for some of the characters who had been half-stepping it up and down the court to step hard on the throttle. He said it was time for all of the hanging heads to be lifted and to start playing like they cared.

Francis cares. Nobody has ever doubted that.

You see the way he is all over the court with the energy of a twister and you know the sagging NBA would be better served if there were several dozen more like him. Using his crossover dribble to create space between him and a defender and then sticking a 3-pointer. Taking off on those rocket-launch drives to the basket that send him seemingly toward the top of the backboard before throwing down the dunks that leave him swinging on the rim, and grabbing rebounds over bigger, stronger men. Banging on the floor, punching at the air, pleading with the referees for any kind of a break or an edge.

Yes, he cares.

Rockets respond in kind
Saturday night at the Alamodome, what was significant was not that Stevie Franchise went out and got the Rockets 29 points, 10 rebounds and five assists, but that he got his teammates to look like they give a damn again.

"I got my team back tonight," said coach Rudy Tomjanovich.

It was another of those down-to-the-wire, can't-quite-make-the-last-play 90-88 losses to the Spurs that have been the trademark of this season. Only in horseshoes, hand grenades and presidential elections is close good enough.

The last 19.2 seconds were played with Francis looking on helplessly from the sidelines because nobody on the bench bothered to remind him he was just one personal from fouling out when he reached out to grab Derek Anderson.

The last 8.2 seconds wound down with the ball in the hands of Moochie Norris on the right wing and then kicked out to Maurice Taylor beyond the top of the key. Taylor's 3 missed everything.

But Francis' cutting words to his teammates, delivered in the newspaper and on the evening TV news didn't miss. At least they got the Rockets to play with some fire again.

"It's my team," Francis said. "People have been telling me that since day one. But I didn't feel like I had the right as a young player to just come in an act like that. I figured I'd know when the time came."

That time was a pair of back-to-back whippings that made him so ashamed of the Rockets' performance that he wouldn't even show his face in his favorite restaurants for a postgame meal. And he woke up with more than just his stomach growling.

Sets example on the court
He watches the story unravel with the franchise player Hakeem Olajuwon and doesn't like it. But knows it means even more that the franchise is in his hands.

"Losing games is one thing," Francis said. "Not playing hard is different. I always play hard."

So hard he often hurts himself. He comes with many of the trappings -- tattoos, styling, bravado -- of the modern player who is so often criticized. But Francis is the kind of player who would thrive in any era. He is a throwback, the New Age kid who is making millions, but plays because he likes to play.

He is growing, blossoming, learning about this leadership role and still has lessons to absorb. For instance, it might be seen as an inopportune time to get on teammates when you arrive at the game for the start of third quarter following an excused absence Thursday.

"I messed up," he said. "But then I played hard. And I still didn't like what I saw."

This is not natural for him, being the stick that prods. But if it's what it takes.

"A couple of the veterans came up and said they were glad I spoke out," Francis said. "Told me they were waiting for me to do it."

So he did. The Franchise is growing. </font>
Click to expand...

We knew it would happen sooner or later. Wonder how Stevie's dedication will affect the team?

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http://clubs.yahoo.com/clubs/houstonrockets2000

Live · Feb 5, 2001

I'm glad to see him step up and take the leadership role on this team. I've been waiting for this moment since last year.

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Who's better: Kelvin Cato or Joe Barry Caroll?

Take your time!

RunninRaven · Feb 5, 2001

It is also good to see that some veterans approved of his outspoken criticism.

I am also encouraged that the only reason Steve didn't take more of a leadership role previous is because he didn't feel it appropriate because he was so young, not because he didn't realize that it was necessary.

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"Of course, everything looks bad if you remember it!"
Homer Simpson

Plowman · Feb 5, 2001

Stevie steps up in the lockerroom...This is nice to see so early in his career.Even though he doesn't have the overall grasp on the court yet,THIS sure bodes well for this team.It goes to character,something that seems innate.To handle this in the way he did,says quite a bit about our young star.All the great ones who led their teams to titles had this.Rudy is doing a really good job of bringing him along,and once the character and Bball maturity meet,the Rocks should have a helluva team and be right there.I love the way he has handled the transition from a veteran team(and all the politics that go with it)to the future of our franchise.

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[This message has been edited by hardwood (edited February 05, 2001).]

DaDakota · Feb 6, 2001

It is good to see, but I hope he does not turn into a Gary Payton type player.

One who destroys chemistry, etc.

I don't think he will, at least I hope not.

DaDakota

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