Francis will 'chill' in Houston http://www.floridatoday.com/!NEWSROOM/sportstoryS0124MAGICC.htm Magic star returns 'home' to face former team tonight BY JOHN DENTON FLORIDA TODAY ORLANDO -- The $4 million mansion in suburban Houston sits alone now, its owner some 950 miles away in Orlando. The dream house that Steve Francis had built for him was supposed to be his personal playground for years to come. Francis was a realist, knowing full well that the Houston Rockets once traded away star Hakeem Olajuwon, but a big part of him always felt he'd remain deep in the heart of Texas. After all, he came to the organization with the nickname "Stevie Franchise" and seemed to be a fixture of the future alongside of center Yao Ming. But as Francis found out rather harshly last June, things change, and dreams sometimes come to an end. He returned to his mansion Sunday night, but in his jaded eyes it is now more a house than a home. "I'm going to just go home and chill and see how many bills I got stacked up there," Francis said regretfully. Francis and teammate Kelvin Cato face the Rockets in Houston tonight for the first time since they were uprooted in a blockbuster, seven-player trade with the Orlando Magic last June. Houston happily gave up three-fifths of last season's starting lineup, trading Cuttino Mobley, Francis and Cato for superstar guard Tracy McGrady and role players Juwan Howard, Reece Gaines and Tyronn Lue. On the one hand, Francis says he has come to peace with the trade, understanding that it is a part of the NBA culture. He was staggered by that reality earlier in the month when Mobley, his best friend and backcourt mate the past six years, was shipped to Sacramento. But there is another side of Francis who will be playing with a noticeable chip on his shoulder when he faces his former team. His words softened in the days leading up to the showdown with Houston, but the not-so-subtle jabs that Francis has taken at the Rockets brass throughout the season suggest that he is still somewhat stung by the June trade. "Whenever you trade the best player that's ever played for your franchise and the only guy who won you championships (Hakeem Olajuwon), you know anybody can be traded," he said. "I mean, I never won a playoff series for that team. I was just another player in that organization and all guys get traded." Clearly, Francis wasn't just another player for the Rockets, and the crowd in Houston will likely make that clear tonight. Unlike when McGrady returned to Orlando last week to a chorus of boos, Francis should be showered with affection. "The fans here are great and they appreciate what he did, the time that he was here and that's a lot of respect and love if they cheer him," McGrady said of Francis return to Houston. "I can see them cheering, just by the reception I got when I first came here. People here are really nice." Francis says he doesn't know how the fans will treat him, but he doesn't see why they would boo him. After all, it wasn't like he demanded a trade the way McGrady did with the Magic. Instead, Francis put down roots in Texas and hoped to stay there for years. "I'll just have to see what happens," he said. "I don't think I burned any bridges with anybody there." Francis has moved on, lifting the Magic up from the bottom of the NBA to the level of playoff contender this season. A deplorable 21-61 last season, the Magic (22-17) have already exceeded that win total and are pushing for a top-four playoff seed in the Eastern Conference. Francis, of course, has led the way, playing with a freedom and recklessness not afforded to him in Houston last season. He still raves about playing for Rudy Tomjanovich during his first four seasons in Houston, but doesn't have the same kind words for Jeff Van Gundy. While he respected Van Gundy's structure, Francis says that he felt "constricted" and "robotic" in Houston's walk-it-up system last season. While the Rockets did make the playoffs last year for the first time in his five NBA seasons, Francis was mostly miserable while suffering though his worst year as professional. And earlier this season, Francis admitted that he is "in a system that is 200 percent better for me." Magic head coach Johnny Davis has given Francis the freedom to freelance, knowing that while there will be spills, Francis will also deliver plenty of thrills. That trust in Francis has allowed him to again be one of the game's elite players. He is one of just four players in the league averaging at least 20 points, six rebounds and six assists, leading the Magic in both points and passing. He is willing to admit that tonight's game will be emotional for him. But Francis said he will resist the notion of getting into a one-on-one shootout with McGrady or the need to try and prove something to the Rockets. After all, he said with a shrug, what's done has been done and there's no going back home now. "It's just a business, man, and I know that," Francis said. "I even said that last year, but I really know it now. Some of the best players ever were traded and it helped their careers. Maybe that will be the case with me, too." Contact Denton at jd41898@aol.com
I don't see why Francis would be booed either. He played his hear out, he wanted to stay here, and loved it here. I also understand making the trade we did, and trading him for Tmac. That was a deal we had to make, and I think will be good for the Rockets. I don't know why anyone would be bitter at Steve, and I believe fans will be appreciative of the effort he gave when he was here.
Notice the quote about Olajuwon. He points out that if the greatest Rocket of all time was traded, certainly, a player not of that stature, like himself, could get traded too. Of course that quote was twisted around here earlier to make it sound like he put himself on the same pedestal with Dream.
wow...who would have dreamed that someone here might have twisted words to make someone look bad? I think that most reasonable posters realized that wasnt true at the time...unfortunately....most of the reasonable posters dont speak up.
I can guarantee everyone here that Francis will hear boos Monday night. It is a no brainer that will only elude the unassuming. The reasons for the boos may not be united but it does not have to be....... These "Florida" journalists are just full of parc. Their classlessness is just ridiculous. They conveniently said we lost 2/3 of our starting lineup from 03/04 season but they willfully failed to mention that they lost 2/3 of their 03/04 season as well. It may not be much but they do not have to continually stoop low to make themselves feel better because the facts are there and indisputable. It is not like if they do not say it we will somehow miss it. It is simply uncalled for. That is just elementary level propaganda. Here I was thinking the Chron team was bad. Finally, I still beats why Francis thought all was well in Houston because the writing was always on the wall. In my opinion, he did himself in - he just was too stubborn and somehow saw himself as the show rather than a part of the puzzle. The rumours of trade, his oft unbearable dumb plays and growing lack of faith was all there but somewhat "special" Francis missed it all. :shakes head:
Dream wanted out! I remember that. Who was it? DocRocket or someone posted some pics of Dream at Whole Foods. And Dream told the dude he's done..
what is wrong with you. The guy loved the team, why wouldn't anyone wanna root for a guy who is loyal to his team? ugh
Rooting is grand But, some people are talking about a "standing ovation", that's just.. I dunno, seems a little extreme to me for simply being "loyal".. Considering a standing O would hint him being at the same level of a Rudy and Olajuwon in "meaning" for this city's basketball prowess
I hope Steve gets a standing O when he is introduced. He played his heart out for this team and this is a good chance to show our appreciation.
i guess all this booing talk is coming from the fact that tmac was booed, but tmac wasn't like how francis was in houston. francis busted his ass here and he should be applauded.
i agree. i hope the fans show some appreciation. He played his heart out, he deserves it. And he never wanted to leave.
I'll be wearing my Francis jersey tonight and giving him some love. He's done nothing deserve any boos. I can't blame him for being upset. Evan
If everyone is afraid the crowd will boo him, why can't the Rockets Organization tell T-Grey to say something like "Everybody get up on your feet and welcome back Steve Francis to show him some love "...or some words to say that our fans and Organization appreciated what he's done. I gaurantee you there will be no boos if this happens in the intros. Only ignorant bandwagoners will boo him. He loves the city so much...I don't get why people will boo him..
The people of Orlando see McGrady like we see Scottie Pippen. They both asked to leave. Francis only wanted to stay in Houston. How can anyone boo him for that? Francis ought to get a standing ovation.
Steve Francis deserves a standing ovation. why would anyone boo a guy that played with heart and passion every game? If I was at the game I would give SF3 a standing ovation even if it was by myself. J
Maybe because their line up went 21-61 while ours went to the playoffs I mean . . who gives a d*mn if a 21-61 team is dismantled Rocket River must be looking for something to BAM about
