[Chron] Francis reconnects with Houston favorites

Great article. Though I think RA could trust Francis' defense more. He's is capable of being a great defender, as he showed in games vs Phoenix and Denver. Rafer and Mike definitly doesn't have an edge against francis in defense, maybe not worse, but definitly not better IMO. Francis has the ability to leap and change or block shots, neither rafer or mike could do that.


http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/bk/bkn/5346614.html


Dec. 3, 2007, 12:49AM
What are friends for?
Steve Francis believes the fans are his neighbors, and he's grateful for their support


By JONATHAN FEIGEN
Copyright 2007 Houston Chronicle

Steve Francis noticed the odd sort of conversations right away.

Before fans began calling his name, before they got him through the first month of the season — most of which was spent on the Rockets' bench — before they cheered his every move when he finally played, he noticed that they simply talked to him.

He would get up to check into preseason games and fans in the front rows would chat easily, as if talking over the back fence.

"I think that's what they are, neighbors," Francis said. "Even when I had events, my Christmas, Thanksgiving, summer events, things like that, I kind of saw it. In my neighborhood, my neighbors and their kids come and play on my basketball court. There are people I've grown to know in my neighborhood.

"But I never knew it was like this. This is my ninth year in Houston. This is where I plan on retiring. My wife and I flew down here two weeks before my son was born so he could be born in Houston. I wanted him to be born in Houston."

So when Francis played only once — and then only because Tracy McGrady was hurt — in this season's first 10 games, he did not despair because of the way he was treated.

"The fans make me grateful every time I step into Toyota Center," Francis said. "It's unbelievable. I can't believe it. It's crazy."

• • •


Though it seemed likely throughout the preseason, Francis was stunned to be excluded from Rockets coach Rick Adelman's rotation when the season began.

He kept the stat sheets from the first five games, with the notation DNP-CD — did not play-coach's decision — next to his name to serve as a reminder and motivation.

"Of course I was thinking, was it the right decision for me and my family to come back," Francis said. "Looking at other teams, other rosters, I was wondering could I get more minutes at another situation.

"I never thought (it was personal). He doesn't know me. I don't know him. I never looked at it like that. It was definitely a big surprise."

Adelman said he went into training camp believing Francis would be his starter. Instead, he was outplayed in games and practices by Rafer Alston, Mike James and Luther Head.

"When he came into camp in October and we started camp, he came in maybe just expecting to play himself into a role," Adelman said. "Maybe he thought he had a role there. I didn't see him respond in practices. The other guys were really competing and going after it. I didn't see that.

"I think he has gotten better as it has gone. And give him credit, the time he has played, he has responded."

Francis has shown more of his old competitiveness. Whether responding to his time on the bench or better conditioned, he has been aggressive in chasing loose balls, driving to the rim and getting back defensively.

Against Phoenix, he helped key the Rockets' win, playing throughout the fourth quarter and closing out the game in the last minute with a strong drive past Steve Nash and Shawn Marion before stripping Amare Stoudemire.

The next night against Golden State, Francis took a hard fall on a first-quarter drive, struggling through the game with a sore back that kept him out of Saturday's loss to Sacramento. He is expected to be ready to play Wednesday against Memphis.

"It's more of a feeling I have to take advantage of the opportunity," Francis said of his renewed intensity. "We have a lot of guys who are capable of competing. We all have to take advantage of it. I always thought, when given an opportunity, I could produce. That's something I learned through my career. It doesn't have to be scoring all the time."

• • •


Francis' responsibilities have changed from his three All-Star seasons as the Rockets' "Franchise," with Adelman praising him for accepting a reduced role. Francis had said that had been his intention when he chose to return to a team now centered around Yao Ming and McGrady, and he has worked to find his place.

"I see a guy who is very willing to do whatever it takes for us to win," Adelman said. "I saw a quote he had, 'I'm not the same person.' I think that's true. Steve just wants to go out there and help us win. He doesn't have to be a star. He just wants to be a part of it. I think that's a positive.

"The one area I worry the most with him is defensively. That's where Rafer has a big advantage; Mike to an extent. Steve would get tired and break down and not be ready to play at that end. But I think he's getting better and better.

"It's his conditioning more than anything else. He's done extra work. He did a pretty good job in the fourth quarter against (Phoenix). He went the whole way. He's got to keep pushing himself. There were times his shot was flat. If he keeps pushing, he is going to get better and better. The drive he made at the end of the game, to extend himself and get to the basket, that's the quality he has, that sense of attacking the basket."

That drive and subsequent defensive stop helped deliver a much-needed win. But Adelman even appreciated Francis' approach when he wasn't playing, when fans were calling for him and sometimes questioning the Rockets' new coach.

"I guess I'm a little bit surprised how much there has been, but he was an All-Star here; he was the main guy," Adelman said. "He was a great player here.

"It didn't bother me. Fortunately for both of us, his attitude has been really good. If that wasn't the case, it could have been a real difficult situation all around. But that hasn't been the case. The fans have probably encouraged him to keep going."

They helped him maintain his composure and confidence when things were tough. But then, that's what friends do.

"It's not embarrassing," Francis said. "It just shows you how things have changed. The reality is, and I'm not trying to be arrogant, but the reality is I can play. When I step on the court, I can play."

 

Well, i just hope Francis could start. He doesn't necessarily have to play 30+ min right now but he could have his minutes gradually increase as he gets more into shape.