Great article- Why? It is truth. Don't get bent out of shape because someone says what should be said.
"But don't ever think the Rockets would be better off either in the short-term or long-term had Francis still been wearing their colors." this was harsh.
Odd, because if you look at McGrady's numbers in the Rockets boring "system", and compare them to Francis' in the same system last year, McGrady is averaging more rebounds than Francis and about as many assists (0.6 less) at an above 2:1 assist-to-turnover ratio (something Steve has not been able to get close to throughout his career), despite McGrady not being the point guard and just being a "scorer".
Harsh... but true. He's basically calling out all the people who STILL don't understand why the Rockets made the trade. Frankly, there shouldn't be that many of them... and since there are, that's why an article like this gets printed. Everybody says that it was dumb, and just a hate-piece, but he's just refuting the countless minority who still voice their harsh opinions to the Rockets about trading a 'young talent' like Steve (who is older than TMac, btw). One thing I wonder (and fear) for Steve is what will happen when his god-given atheltic ability starts to subside as age starts kicking in. Michael and Dream, athletic/dunking freaks in their young age, developed post-up games that while it wasn't highlight-reel... was far more effective. Steve has no such recourse. He's too small to post-up, and he doesn't have the Iverson-like quickness to say that he'll always be "one step ahead of them" no matter how old he is (I do see AI being able to keep it up... he's too fast). This is a fear I've always had of Steve... even when he was with us. He needs to find his "niche" with his game... a go-to move, a consistent jump-shot... something.
Frankly, I'm tired of all the Francis bashing.....from reporters to half of you on this board. He doesn't deserve it! He played his heart out for us every single night...he didn't nights off like our "new" superstar did while in Orlando. He loved the city of Houston and it was personal when he was traded.....it's called human nature. He is what he is....a power point guard that scores and rebounds like no other. He turns the ball over and make untimely mistakes. Good and Bad......I would say the good out weighs the bad.
Look, I like Steve, but he needs to stop pouting about this - all the column does is take SF3 quotes and discusses them. Francis is the one saying that HE built the Toyota Center and he is the one bashing on the "JVG system" even though the Rockets are scoring over 100 points most nights (he even said if Rox players don't want to play a slow down style, then they will get traded like him)
Agree with f4p. This is definitely taking a cheap shot at Steve. Scary thing is, it's gonna get us labelled sour grapes by Orlando fans, not knowing who Lopez is. Moronic fans will be stirred by a moronic reporter.
I dont need any articles like this after a good win. would have prefered a nice story and breakdown about our current win and Yao's lil streak of 20 pts/2blk games he is putting together. anyone notices Yao has been averaging 2 blks for the last 10 games? J
what do you mean he doesn't deserve it??? he's the one the won't leave it alone, constantly taking jabs at the rockets and specifically our personel whenever he gets. saying he deserved a bigger ovation or calling out our system and saying "if you don't play like that they'll just trade you" bullsh!t. look..... we were NEVER gonna win consistently w/ him on the team. period. he's a good player, but he's far, FAR, from being a great one. he's the one that can't find any faults in his game, and talks big game, but unfortunately that's all he is..... TALK. i don't wanna see anymore people sticking up for this guy. he doesn't deserve that at all anymore.
It was fairly objective. The only thing I didn't like was when he said Francis wouldn't pass the ball to someone to take the final shot. Somebody correct me if I'm wrong, but I even remember Moochie Norris hitting a few game winners in his day with the Rockets. Surely some of them were on passes from Steve?
I also remember that game against SA last year with time running down and a chance to win the game, SF3 dribbled the shot clock away and then lost the ball off his foot.
It is delusional, but it isn't a cheap shot. He was the marquis draw at the time, and that is what he should have said. It would have been true. But claiming to have sold the tickets that got the stadium built is out of touch with reality. It shows Steve has an inflated ego. That's one of his weaknesses. The article is mean spirited, and does remind me of those Orlando articles that have been angering folks. Steve is what Steve is. He isn't the demon a lot around here try to make him, or the angel that he's portrayed as either. Steve has done plenty of great things, including positive things that go way beyond the call of duty when he was a Rocket. Steve also did immature things, as well as let his ego get inflated, and make silly comments while he was a Rocket and even now.
I remember the playoffs, where Steve and Cuttino to a certain degree were the only Rockets who stepped up their game to playoff level. Steve was amazing that series.
