The NY media is going to chew him up and spit him out. CASE CLOTHES WITH FRANCIS By MARC BERMAN February 28, 2006 -- Steve just makes it on time SAN ANTONIO - All logic and sense have left the Knick franchise. Yesterday's Steve Francis fiasco was the latest example. Francis nearly missed last night's Spurs-Knicks game and was held out of the starting lineup after arriving before 55 minutes tip-off only after a private plane was chartered to bring the Knicks new guard from Orlando to Alamo City. Incredibly, the Knicks - who lost 121-93 - permitted Francis to go home to Orlando after the Washington game Saturday night to collect some belongings. But Francis was a no-show at yesterday's morning shootaround and called a club official during that practice to inform the club he won't make it for the game. Francis told the Knicks his 6-month-old daughter was ill. When Francis' camp realized a public-relations nightmare was ensuing if Francis missed the game, a plane was chartered to get him to San Antonio after he missed his commercial flight. A Knicks official said he was unsure who paid for the charter. The Knicks' strictest dress code in the league, which forces players to wear suits and ties on the road, took precedence over Francis preparing for last night's game apparently. Francis makes $13.9 million this season and has $49.7 million more left on his pact. Francis could have purchased a suit and tie in San Antonio or had his laundry dry-cleaned at the hotel. According to an employee at the team hotel in San Antonio, slacks can be dry-cleaned for $7.50, dress shirts for $6.50. A laundry service also exists where undergarments go for $2.50 and t-shirts $3.75. "What could we have done," Brown asked. "He had no clothes. I think we were all hopeful he'd be here [for the morning], and under normal circumstances, he would have been. It was the only chance he could go home and get some clothes. Maybe if he was going to just wear [a polo-shirt] and jeans, he wouldn't have to worry about it, but we travel with ties and jackets." According to his agent, Jeff Freed, Francis' daughter, Shaylin came down with a virus. Francis' departure called into question whether he wants to be a Knick. The flaky Francis, who refused to go into a game a month ago, has given off a lukewarm vibe. Freed said he and the Magic mutually agreed to a trade and claimed the Knicks "were targeted from Day 1." "He's thrilled," Freed said. "He's just in a little shock. He wanted to play in New York." That the Knicks allowed Francis to leave the team is baffling, considering he had not practiced with the club. No one needs to be with the team more than Francis, who also missed an optional practice Sunday. http://www.nypost.com/sports/knicks/60413.htm
I live in NY. I can assure you we have stores which sell clothes. Yeah Saks is tad expensive but I am sure Isiah could have lended him some $$.
Man, that's just silly on both sides of the ball, the Knicks for letting him take off and SF for nothing bringing clothes...
One of these things is not like the other. A. missing team flight because of Super Bowl B. nearly missing game because he needed clothes C. refusing to go back into a game D. not playing well because of the loss of one's future mother in-law If you want to criticize McGrady, fine. I'll disagree with you, but we all have our opinions. But to turn around and defend Francis in the same 10-minute span is absolutely ludicrous.
francis said he missed the flight because his daughter was sick. read the whole article. what's worse, refusing to go in the game or admitting you quick on a season. answer, neither I'm sure francis cares a lot more about his daughter than mcgrady does about his baby moma's moma. edit: I haven't defended francis in this thread btw. I just think the whole thing is silly.
How does McGrady feel about the Dubai/Port situation? Since you're in his head, you should know. Yeah, this isn't defending him at all: Yep, not at all.
This is really not a big deal in the scheme of things...but, look how it's being handled already by the NY media. Just wait until Francis pulls his next real antic...and we all know it's coming.
Well, this IS the NY Post...they would bash Jesus after he cures a blind man because he didn't also get rid of the guy's dandruff. Besides, they didn't even spell his agent's name right, so I doubt they worry about insignificant little things like fact checking...
Francis will keep the New Yorkers pissed for as long as he is there, oh the relationship will just be delectable! What a start to a beautiful relationship.
