In fact, it's been the newer users on this site - which you can argue MAY have come here because of Yao - who seem to be defending Francis the last few days. Perhaps if you've been following the Rox longer you find SF's behavior/performance more frustrating and unacceptable.
There have always been non Yao Only Fans who criticized Steve. The difference is they care about what effect Steve Francis has on the TEAM while YOF don't want anybody sharing the spotlight with Yao. Anyways, he wen through a horrible slump of games, we're in a losing streak, and he did something really stupid and unforgiveable. It's pretty hard to be on his side 100% right now. He has to earn back what he's basically thrown away in the last few days.
Steve Francis had a ton of critics before Yao ever came to the Rockets. IMO, immediately before Yao's arrival... there was probably about a 2 to 1 split in favor of Steve. I was with the majority on that. Discounting the YOFs, I think it's pretty much reversed now. Personally, I think Steve Francis is a good player with some psychological baggage that doesn't fit on the team. I think this is probably the most common perspective of non-YOF fans who don't really want Steve. If Steve could be successful and not be the primary offensive force, I'd love to keep him. I'm less and less convinced that this is possible.
I still believe the ball should go down to the post (Yao/MoT) on as many possessions as possible. I still believe SF is a point guard. And I still believe the main thing wrong with his game so far this seasonis his shooting %. Not his shot selection - well if anything, he's passed up on some easier looks lately but I imagine it's 'cause his % is so low this season. Then #2, he needs to cut down on the unforced turnovers, but so does Yao, so does Cat, so does Mo ...
Looks like YOFs have quietened down a lot as they come to appreciate the rest of the team more and also as they start to recognize Yao's shortcomings/flaws - thus it seems like a number of supposed YOF's have been defending SF recently. At the end of the day, with time, it looks like there'll be a general convergence towards the 'norm'.
