Francis doesn't go out of his way to make the Rockets look good.I think Ming will out shine him.He doesn't hip up Houston enough when he talks to the national media. His play on the court doesn't equal the money he is getting.
He is one of the leagues favorite players by fans. To me that is a great ambassador. He can be better, but I will not hold that against him. Stop Bashing.
Magic, Oscar Robertson and Grant Hill are the only other players in NBA history to accomplish what the Franchise has accomplished. Of course he has room for improvement from last season but don't belittle his talents and accomplishments. It is time to stop playing our players against each other with threads like this and celebrate them together.
Crash you beat me to the quote. I think ALL NBA players are over paid but, Steve's play over his first 3 years should place him towards the top of the pay scale. To think any different is not being realistic. He will break numerous NBA records before his career is over and will be a hall of famer (hopefully as a Rocket).
You took the words right out of my mouth. Great post. However, probably it would be even better to ignore trolls like the one who started this thread...
Francis may not be the best PR guy in the world but he is one of the league's most exceptional talents. Any player who can put up 21/6/6 in a year that he was injury plagued definately deserves the max. I hope you're right and Ming does outshine him because if he does he will definately be one of the best players in the league.
Amen crash! For some reason there are people on the BBS who like to play the players against each other. I hear people say that Mobley sucks or isn't that good "compared to Steve Francis". Well why would he be? Francis is supposed to be the star and franchise player, what does Mobley not being as talented as Francis have to do with the fact that they're probably the best backcourt in the NBA? Now there are people trying to chop down Ming by comparing him to Francis and vice versa, why? And he doesn't deserve the money he is getting? Lets see, he's our best player, he's one of the best PGs in the NBA, he's an All-Star and he is one half of one of the best backcourts in the NBA, what else do you want from him, blood?
Don't lock it yet!!! I listened very closely to the ESPN interview today and while I thought S.F. handled the interview just about the way he plays, making some good points, and maintaining control, but when forced to play D, he folded!!!! Dan Patrick said, "Hey how about a little less shooting and a little more passing this year?" All S.F. could say is "Uh, I average about 6.4 assists per game, so I think I did fine with my passing last year". So, even when one of the most respected analysts in the history of sports announcers suggests you shoot too much, your only answer implies you don't need to improve???? I love Steve as a Rocket, but the boy needs better B-ball smarts, and LOTS more humility (ala Oscar Robertson) before he becomes what he and many others on this board have already annoited him; "The Second Coming of Isaiha/Oscar" (or some other hall of famer who knew EXACTLY when to shoot, pass, and shut up. I am glad S.F. went to see Yao. I don't see this as a grand gesture on his part, and his earlier comment in the interview demonstrated this. When Patrick asked him what he would say to Yao, all S.F. could come up with is "Rebound and Pass." How about "take it to the frickin hole you 7'5" freak". Show the league you can dominate!!! Instead, he offered up Yao to the alter of Shaq without having seen the two together on the court. I will continue to have issues with S.F. and I'm telling you folks that this is a problem waiting to become press fodder. S.F. wants the limelight and the shots. If Yao gets too big, S.F. will surely whine, get conveniently injured, or just not get the ball the big man on the floor.... I do not consider myself a S.F. hater, but if having an averse opinion makes you think otherwise, then, I apologize. Take care,
I thoght the Steve Francis bashing would slow down if not stop for a while, after all the positives things that he said about Yao to the signing of the contract. But after reading the start of this thread I was brought back to reality. Some people will never be happy.
if your are gonna be like that don't be a rocket fan because you are the ass of all ass holes. That guy is only 25 and his mom died early in life and he has gone through a lot. Leave him alone. He is a pg putting up great numbers. And his assists will go up a lot this year. He is the leader. And who cares if yao outshines steve, i'm sure steve knows that, and he still re signed so fuc* all you steve hater we would be nothin without him. Our gm's are right steve is what makes us so good now.
Steve's reply should have been, "how about getting some players in here who are not injured and can shoot the ball and I will pass more this year!" With Rice, Taylor, no center, no backup 2, no legit 3, how can you ask a guy to pass more when you are the only scoring option!!!!! Get off his $ss for petty BS things....so we judge what he says versus his actions....man, I am glad some of you do not live on my block...and you certainly do not want us judging ya'll with the same glasses you have Francis
same her ei am glad some of ya'll don't live on my block. Casue instead of bashing steve you will be bashed. naaaa!
I'm not a Francis hater, but an ambassador is supposed to do and say the right things...While Steve has done the right thing now, it is unfortunate it took him this long to do the do...Steve is suppose to acknowledge his strengths, but address his weaknesses...I don't hear him addressing his weaknesses when asked...He could say: " I want to work on this, and this...", but all he seems to say is look at what I have done....It's fine, but what bothers me is that Steve says he wants to have the responsibility of leading this team, yet when he opens his mouth he really doesn't sound like an "ambassador"... He has alluded to being worried about being on a winning team...when a true leader wouldn't say this...I feel a true leader would say: "I will lead this team to become a winner!, no doubt...I will look at myself in the mirror and constantly challenge myself to do this..." It doesn't have to be verbatim...Yet, I respect Steve for the genuine honesty he portrays....He constantly pimps Cato as an effective Center when both you and me know this is bunk....The great DoD, stated to me that this may be a way for Francis to motivate Cato to improve or something, but I don't buy it...sorry Dr. I think it sounds more slighted against the potential of Ming than anything...Honestly, I think there is credible evidence to summize Francis wasn't happy with the selection of Ming for whatever reason...Cato is apparently a pal, which francis feels is threatened by the selection of Ming...My question is why give Cato such publicity if he doesn't deserve it?...Francis sounds absolutely defensive about the status of Cato...You can be supportive of teammates and I want him to...but when you constantly mention the merits of Cato and not other teammates, you have to question the reasoning...of basing unmerited support to one player and only one...why? Why not say I am so happy to have the addition of Ming to our team and leave it at that? A leader/ambassador does not leave the door open for question...Especially when the supposed leader/ambassador has been linked to not agree with a No.1 pick... I love Francis, but right now he is slightly lacking in tact and therefore is insufficient to truly be an "ambassador"
Do you agree with Dan Patrick about Steve being a ball hog? I don't. If Patrick thinks Franchise is a ball hog then he needs to do some more analizing. If you agree with Patrick then I ask you to produce stats to support your stance. All I ask is for people to do the research before making claims that Steve is a ball hog.
Steve Francis, I wish to congratulate you on your contract.YOU MUST MAKE MORE ASSISTS THIS YEAR< OR YOU WILL BECOME THE SHOOTING GUARD AND WE WILL GET ANOTHER POINT GUARD! LAST YEAR"S ASSISTS STINK FOR A TOP NOTCH POINT GUARD.
