http://www.orlandosentinel.com/spor...c20042005apr20,1,4094401.story?coll=orl-magic Francis' unpredictability good, bad The guard's ad thanking Magic fans is a good sign, but his actions can be contradictory. By Brian Schmitz | Sentinel Staff Writer Posted April 20, 2005 Among the advertisements in Tuesday's Sentinel -- from the Great American Pie Festival to Pope John Paul II commemorative coins to chronic insomnia -- was a full-page number on the back of the sports section. It begins, "Dear Magic fans: "It is with great sadness that my first season with the Magic has come to an end short of our expectations, but we have tremendous hope for the future." Further along, it reads, "We know what it will take to get better and we are committed to making the Magic a contender." It ends, "God Bless," and signed "STEVE-O." That's Steve-O, a k a Magic point guard Steve Francis. He apparently wrote the letter and paid for the ad himself. It's a noble gesture by Francis, even if calculated to coincide with the club's Fan Appreciation Week. And it's a surprising display of leadership and accountability, considering Francis let down the team at times with his bratty behavior. But then, he's often a walking contradiction. Talented, but temperamental. Charismatic, but careless on the court. Passionate, but irresponsible. Francis is hard to get a read on -- just like the Magic this season. From beginning to end, no player embodied the club's mood swings more than Francis, the centerpiece in the offseason trade for Tracy McGrady. The Magic beat contenders and lost frequently to league footwipes; Francis hit five-game-winning shots and led the team in scoring, but he also led in technical fouls, blew off a practice and was suspended for three games during a failed playoff chase, two of which the Magic lost. And to think the Magic dealt McGrady, in part, for committing crimes against team dynamics. Orlando broke training camp in October, refusing to concede the Southeast Division title to the Miami Heat. Tonight, it closes out a hollow 36-45 season at TD Waterhouse Centre against the division champion Heat (58-23). The Magic look to close the yawning gap this summer -- and it's a big summer for Francis, 28. The Magic want him to take stock and return as a different kind of player and person than the emotional, error-prone powder keg. "Emotions are a fragile thing, and if they are not channeled in the right direction, then they are going to get you in trouble," Magic interim Coach Chris Jent said. "Channel them in the right direction, they are going to make you a great player. Steve has to find a more positive way to deal with adverse conditions. His will is incredible." For all his brilliance, Francis at times is accused of being a ball hog. "Because of his position and the arrogance he takes onto the floor, it looks like at times that he's being selfish," Jent said. "He's trying to do stuff for the team, but sometimes he goes about it the wrong way. He's sometimes his own worst enemy. But that's just a small fraction of who he is. It's something we'll hopefully work on this summer. Above the shoulders, he needs to be as solid as he is on the court." Francis has said he never has gone through so many changes. He was traded after five seasons in Houston, then saw his best friend and ex-Rockets teammate, Cuttino Mobley, dealt by Orlando. He was moved from point guard to shooting guard, then moved back. "Steve has grown a lot," Magic General Manager John Weisbrod said. "If he was going to get off the ship, he would have done it by now. He is buying into what we're doing. He's been sincerely coachable in trying to change things to benefit the team." After the Magic's practice Tuesday, the media waited to ask Francis about his full-page ad and his thoughts on this season and next. And what does he do after his public gesture of goodwill? The unpredictable Steve-O refused all interview requests and rushed out the door.
I know a lot of people hate Francis around here but you really got to admire the guy for stuff like this. Yes he may be occasionally boneheaded as a player but I think he really embodies the love of the game and the fans. I really appreciated the ad he took out to Houston Fans when he was traded but I think this one is even more impressive considering he didn't want to play for the Magic. Better luck next year Stevie and you'll still the Franchise and not Steve-O to me.
i'm just afraid that in case in a few years, his teams are still this way, it'll be like the boy who cried wolf..."next year guys, next year." i don't know how many ppl are going to hear that year after year. i wish him the best though. i hope someone can get through to him about not playing 1 on 5.
Maybe he will actually improve some aspect of his game during the offseason. Like regain his 3 point shot. If he could learn how to move off screens without the ball, I think he can be very effective as a 2. He just sucks at it right now with his current skillset, the same skillset he has had for his whole career.
It doesn't matter how many times he apologizes for stuff if he stays the same. I'm glad we don't have him around to screw things up for our team. He's a cancer no matter where he goes and no matter what he says.
Itj ust doesn't look like he's changing. He's 28 now..it does suck that so many things have happened..he should just improve his game and work on himself nad how to be a better player and teammate..whatever not Rockets business anymore THANK GOD FOR WEISBROD
I still admire the kid's heart. There's been times when McGrady's heart was lacking when times were down for him. Of course, everyone here would take McGrady's brain over SF heart. McGrady has Yao as the 7'6 parachute so lotto seasons won't be a problem.... Translation: I gotta kiss his ass for one more season. Does Toronto want him for Jalen Rose and trash?
Remember, we used to be so thrilled after seeing Francis having a career game and dropping 30 something points while sqeezing out a buzzer-beater. Guess what? That's just an average game for TMac. It really sucks for the Magic fans, because no matter what fancy 1 on 5 stuff Francis pull off, it won't impress them. They had McGrady doing that for 4 straight years, only much much better. For us though...
For real, for real...even if we weren't all 100% sure what we were getting with T-Mac--we knew what we were losing with Fancy... It's just funny to see all the folks that were soooo quick to say Orlando got the best of the deal and that we were doomed after our slow start have to eat crow on a daily basis (and all offseason and for how many years to come) I don't wish Steve any ill will but he took a lot of cheap shots also and was all to happy to think that his game was/is perfect as is--hope he grows up and shows half the maturity and unselfishness that the guy they called "MeMac" has...
Exactly. What does a full page ad cost someone like Francis? It's just loose change he found under his couch cushions. Nothing but a PR move, probably thought up by his agent or other handlers to make "Steve-O" look like the good guy again.
I'll always love Steve. He is such an exciting player, and had many great moments for the Rockets. He's still my 3rd favorite player (was 1st before the trade), and I hate to admit it, but I'm glad he's not making his careless plays and careless decisions for the Rockets. I don't wanna say it, but he's not the smartest player there is, and I see now that it was his foolish play and sometimes irresponsible attitude that was holding the Rockets back.
i could not have said it better then myself. i have about 4 magazines with him on the cover and i still plan on framing them one day and putting them up in my game room when i get a house. along with yao's and tracy's future covers. by the way does anyone know if there have been any magazines lately with either tracy or yao on the cover. i would be grateful for the info. thanks
steve's character seems to get attacked alot for not being as good of a basketball player as we all hoped. as a person he has shown himself to be one of the good guys. he played his heart out for us for five years and just wasn't good enough to accomplish what we wanted.
