Give me a break. He thinks the package Orlando got was better than Houston's. You know, I used to like the guy. But now he's become one of those players who thinks they are God's gift to the NBA, and they don't even realize that they're so damn wrong. The quote was "People recognize me now more that I'm gone than when I was here," he said. "It's cool. Of course you're going to have people say they're happy I'm gone, but you don't win with just one player. The Lakers are going to find that out this year. That you don't just win with one player, you have to have a team. And it wasn't just because of me that we lost. But hey, that's just the nature of the business." No matter how you spin it, he is critisizing SOMEONE here. It's either Yao Ming or Tracy McGrady. Last year we had Yao and Francis, so which was the "one player" he speaks of? If he's talking about next year, there's Yao and T-Mac. Who's the one player? Seriously, tell me. Who is the one player he's reffering to? He says "one player can't win." Obviously, he was a situation where only one player was productive. Who is he talking about? Then the prick has the nerve to say that about the Lakers? Does he think the Magic are better than the Lakers? He doesn't realize that they're a better team at every position but PG? Not to mention they have Rudy T, a two-time champion? He will never change. For 5 years, you guys made excuses, excuses, excuses. Five years is a LONG time. He will always have the athleticism and the smile - what he will never has is the brains.
But If He Likes Houston so much do you ever think he will come back for less money to play with us? I know its wishful thinking but when does his contract expire? I hope i don't get knocked for this but I really like Stevie Franchise and will definetly miss him on our team. But Enough living in the Past. WB
How could you bad talk Steve Francis. All he has done is shone nothing but undisturbed and utmost for the city of Houston in light of the fact that he was traded. I was one of the extremely few people on this board sad to see Steve leave.
Hopefully, this will make it more clear what he meant. He's pretty clearly referring to the criticism that he recieved, and that it wasn't all on him that we lost, and that trading him wasn't some magical fix that's going to make us 82-0. He even says it straight out "IT WASN'T JUST BECAUSE OF ME THAT WE LOST". Criminey.
Why do some posters want to bash Steve based on an article where he says how much the city of Houston means to him? Do you hate him so much that now you want him to move too? I am thrilled with the trade that brought McGrady to the Rockets, but I am very grateful for what Steve brought to the Rockets and wants to continue bringing to Houston. Give the guy a break and just say thanks and you're welcome. Rashmon will miss him and give him a standing ovation when he returns.
I always think Francis is a classy person and I respect him even more after the trade. Good luck in Orlando, Steve.
http://www.nba.com/community/francis_040827.html Veteran speaks about charity and his offseason trade Houston Still Home for Francis By Maurice Brooks Aug. 27 – When the NBA season tips off, Steve Francis will be playing for a different organization, in a new city and in an unfamiliar conference. Despite the change in address following an offseason trade from the Rockets to the Magic, Francis remains loyal to the city of Houston. It was there that Francis earned the nickname “Franchise” and became one of the top guards in the league. He spoke to NBA.com about his involvement with the Steve Francis Foundation and about the challenges that lie ahead for the Magic. Steve Francis Summer Fiesta, Houston Schedule of Events (All times Central) Aug. 27 Youth Job Forum at the George R. Brown Convention Center, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Corporate Bowling Challenge at Emerald Bowl, 6 p.m.-9 p.m. The Jump Off at Westside Tennis Club, 9 p.m.– 2 a.m. Aug. 28 Youth Basketball Clinic at Westside Tennis Club, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Brenda Wilson Scholarship Luncheon and Silent Auction at Westside Tennis Club, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. The Boat Ride at The Colonel, 10 p.m.-2 a.m. Aug. 29 Summer Fiesta Slamfest All-Star Basketball Game at the Toyota Center, 5 p.m. The Reebok Remix at The M Bar, 9 p.m.-2 a.m. The Steve Francis Summer Fiesta is this weekend. How did it come about? Steve Francis: “I’ve thought about it for years, but this is the first time we’re actually doing it. I now feel like I’m in a situation where I’m the most knowledgeable. The city of Houston is where I began my career and the people here have always supported me.” Talk a little bit about the Steve Francis Foundation. Francis: “I created that about five years ago in Washington, D.C., and now it’s spreading to Houston. The main goal is to help inner-city youth and to raise money for the Brenda Wilson College Scholarship Fund.” Being that Brenda Wilson is your mother, who passed away from cancer, how much does the scholarship luncheon in her honor mean to you? Francis: “Obviously, that means a lot to me. We’ll be giving away five college scholarships for $10,000 to kids from the Houston area. This is something that is real special.” What is the main goal of this event? Is there a specific amount you would like to raise? Francis: “This is the first year, so we’re probably not going to raise a lot of money. Each year we’re hoping to raise more and more.” After being traded, did you think about having the event some place else? Francis: “I thought about moving the event, but I like Houston too much. I love it down here. The weather is great and this is where I bought my first home.” What is the most enjoyable part about being involved with this event? Francis: “I like being around all of the players, the kids, my family and friends.” Here is a list of players confirmed to participate: Steve Francis, Dwight Howard, Damon Stoudamire, Antoine Walker, Damon Jones, James Posey, Jameer Nelson, Sam Cassell, Kevin Garnett, Lonny Baxter, Chris Wilcox, Ricky Davis, Darius Miles, Paul Pierce, Zach Randolph, Cuttino Mobley, Nick van Exel, Antonio McDyess, Corey Maggette, Darius Miles, Michael Redd, Ndudi Ebi, Elton Brand, Baron Davis, Rashard Lewis and Jim Jackson. Have you been involved with any other charities? Francis: “I’ve done a lot of different things with Alonzo Mourning and the charities that he is involved with.” Let’s talk a little bit about hoops. What is your reaction to the U.S. basketball team losing to Argentina in the Olympic semifinals? Francis: “Nobody asked me to go. I would’ve loved to have gone. I can’t believe they lost. They have a lot of inexperienced players, but I still thought they were going to win.” You were the face of the Rockets the last five seasons. What went through your mind when you found out you were traded? Francis: “Initially I was upset because I had to leave the city of Houston. My attitude has changed and I’m happy to be going to a team that wants me.” Including Orlando, can you believe all of the offseason moves around the league? Francis: “A lot of teams made a lot of moves, so this season is going to be real interesting. Coach (Johnny) Davis is nice and I’ve been talking to a lot of the players. I believe Orlando is making the right changes.” Even though you are only 27, are you ready for a leadership role with the young Magic? Francis: “I didn’t really have a leader in Houston because Charles Barkley and Hakeem Olajuwon retired when I first got there. I’m looking forward to meeting Jameer and Dwight and I’m definitely going to enjoy helping them out.” Since you are going to a new team, do you feel like you have something to prove? Francis: “No, individually I don’t have anything to prove at all. As a team, we all have something to prove.” How difficult is it going to be for you to go from a playoff team to a rebuilding team? Francis: “We don’t feel like we’re rebuilding. We have some young guys and some veterans and we feel like we can be in the mix.” You, Cuttino Mobley and Kelvin Cato all played together in Houston. How pleased are you to have your running mates with you in Orlando? Francis: I’ve played with Cuttino and Kelvin my entire career. I’m real comfortable with those two and I’m looking forward to getting started.”
really i thought our team was getting better and we could have easily gotten better by adding a dominate power foward and I think thats all we needed. alot of people just don't know what that have untill its gone.they just see the negatives and try to make it out weight the postives.I don't think it was stevie fault last year that we couldn't male it past the 1 round,but i still here people say it was. I would take t mac over steve anyday, and he is my favorite player,but loosing cato and mobley too was kind of hard for me deal with I think arguments are good ,they keep you interstead.wothout those cf.net would die.
SO Basically everyone is saying that the only reason we lost games was because of stupid play and that Steve was the one making all of them? or Steve and Cuttino? so . . . .since their stupidity is gone Should I expect 82-0 from our new and improved SMART players? Rocket River lovely monday morning quarterbacks who have never stepped foot on a NBA court and played on that level at that speed making split second decisions etc.
But the monday morning quarterbacks have seen other players who have stepped onto an NBA court and make those split second decisions.
A topic that I couldn't have imagined would have turned ugly is ugly indeed. Steve's not on our team anymore so his play on the court doesn't have an effect on us, except as an opponent. The article talks about how a guy loves the city, and won't move away from it even though the team traded him. Somehow that turned into people slamming Steve? I don't understand how attacks found their way into something so positive. It all started when person's grammer wasn't up to snuff and accused Steve of referring to himself in third person when he technically he didn't. Then Sane accuses people who don't bash Steve of making excuses? Nobody in this thread was saying we shouldn't have traded for MacGrady and Steve was flawless as a PLAYER. They are only saying that Steve's loyalty to the city along with his ideas for charity and helping the city out is a good thing. When Steve talked about 1 player not being the team, he was saying that he felt he was the one player being blamed for the Rockets not having more success. He wasn't slamming any other Rocket, past, present, or future.
Sane obviously is having a bar mitzvah or a tea party or something on the the same evening/day that Francis' charity thing is and is afraid of it negatively affecting the attendance. That's the only explanation I can figure.
