"Any new guy, whether you're from another country or here, whenever you're the No. 1 pick, everybody's going to come after you," Francis said. "You saw what happened in Washington to Kwame Brown (last year's first pick). Everybody's going to want to test him, and we're gonna be there to back him 100 percent." It's really nice to hear comments like this from the leader of the Houston Rockets. Hands down, Francis is the man. He went over and strectched beside Yao and joked with him at practice. He also drove Yao to the Golf event in his hummer, but it rained out. His first step as a leader is to help his team gel and he's taking the initiative to do that with Yao. I can't wait to see his first assist to Yao for a slam and vice versa.
Whoa, thanks for the info cujo! Where did you hear all this? I think it's extremely admirable of Steve to be doing all that, especially after what everybody on this board said about how he would receive Yao all offseason long. I wish I could pull up all those posts and repost them here as a buffet of crow.
Yes! in your face all of you Francis haters. This goes to show all the naysayers that he is in fact a team player and not about personal glory. I wonder if Cat's getting jealous?
Yeah, I saw that interview on TV (don't remember what channel). I also thought it was pretty cool of Stevie to say that. Unfortunately, Yao Ming being the No. 1 pick and getting all this media attention will be tested by everyone in the league. I guess it just human nature. Hang in there big man.
I never doubted Francis in that department. Even if you don't hang out off the court, being on team is like being a family. You should protect each other. With Yao getting all this media hype you know there will be players really gunning for him. Some I feel might even try some physical damage. Some people brought up needing an enforcer and mentioned Thomas. For some reason I can see Cato doing it. You can see his mean streak on the court at times.
I remember a game from the 2000-2001 season against the Suns at home when Rodney Rogers gave Hakeem a hard foul knocking him to the floor. Francis jumped right up in Rogers face with no hesitation, Hakeem had to pull Francis away and Rogers got ejected. I expect Stevie will do the same thing again if somebody tries to pull that crap on Yao Ming.
I think this is bigger than some people might think.. yao has got to be very nervous about living in a new country and all. i know i'd be.. i just hope someone is informing him when the other players say good things about him.. he probably wasn't sure how he'd be accepted... i just hope the fans are decent to him this year. and we all realize that he is having to adjust to a new culture, language etc....
I moved to the US 10 years ago from a place where English is not an official language. I came here learning the new language, while needing to adjust to the new environment. All at the same time I was trying to get a degree here! It was hard. And to be perfectly honest, speaking English is hard for any Chinese, because the pronounciation is just so different, but listening is the real hard part. Now just imagine Yao coming here as a celebrity, an NBA rookie who is highly expected to succeed in this league, and all the pressure he's had back home in China. He needs someone like Stevie to watch him over. And Stevie stepped up!
notice he said 100 percent. and NOT 110 percent. just to make sure i dont hear from the M*A*S*H* for those about to correct me there's no such thing as 'back him 110 percent"
So Yao rode with Steve to the golf tournament? I can just imagine how that looked, Steve pumping Nas or Jay-Z, Yao cringing since he supposedly hates rap music. But it's still a good sign.
That is great that Francis is going to have Yao's back. I only wish that Steve's "special friend", Troll, I mean Troy, Baros was here to tell us all how stupid we are and how he wished that we would choke on our posts. Oh well... BTW - This reminds me of something. I read about how all these people like Shaq, Baron Davis (I think), and others just "can't wait" to dunk on Yao. Why does it take a guy who is 7'6" and from another country coming here to play in the NBA to get these "athletes" so jacked up?? Shouldn't they be motivated to play like that every game regardless if Yao is playing against them??
This is just a good sign that the team is starting to pull together. The Kings are a great example of team bball, and I hope the rockets will be there as well.
