What I don't understand is the need to defend Francis while putting Tmac down. I love Steve Francis. I recognize his faults as well. I believe that some people look for the worst in Steve Francis and find things wrong about Steve that aren't there, and make a big deal about little things. But I also like Tmac, since he has been with the Rockets. Lately I have especially liked him since he seems to be making the effort to lead that we've so desperately needed this year. I have room to like both Steve and TMac. But most of all I like the Rockets. I want our players to do well. Tmac is on our team, and Steve isn't. With Steve people seem to take little things or quotes out of context and blow them up to try and demonize the guy. I think that is incredibly annoying. Yet most don't take the little things he did that were positive and try to raise him to sainthood. Steve did call his teammates and sell them on the idea that getting Yao was a good thing. Steve did pick up Yao and drive him around when Yao was Brand new to the country. Steve did try and help Yao adjust to the NBA and media. Steve did make sure that he scheduled his workout time with Yao, Steve did go and stretch with Yao. Steve did encourage Yao. Steve did try hard every single game, and was willing to leave it all out there on the floor, diving for loose balls, flying out of bounds to save a ball. Steve was a good leader, who took responsibility for what he did, and tried to encourage those around him. He was the only Rocket(possibly Cat with his stellar defense) who really stepped it up to playoff level last year. Steve did travel to China with Yao to help Ming out with his charity events. Even after being traded and obviously hurt, Steve did pay for an add thanking the city of Houston, and letting them know what they meant to him. Remember when the facts came out Steve was lied to by the Rockets about the trade before it happened. Steve had all those positive things about him, many of which a star veteran player doesn't usually do. Steve also had bouts of immaturity, a huge ego, and trouble grasping certain strategies on the floor. Nobody is all good or all bad. For people to try and nitpick quotes apart and turn them around to make Steve look bad, or try and slam tmac to make Steve look good just doesn't make sense. Nobody in this league is all saint, or or all demon. I personally am appreciative to Steve for what he did while he was here. I'm also appreciative to Tmac for what he is doing now.
Frankly I like Francis better than Tmac. Even he talks stupid sometimes, he's still a likable person.
Steve was always a great guy! I loved him when he played here! If I went to the game on Monday I would give him a standing ovation! He was a great guy and loved to play for our team and always tried hard. I think he'd deserve it
even though I was pointing out why some people may not like him - I personnal think he is fun to watch at times and is a fierce competitor ... that being said, Tmac is a better all around player and it is very short sighted of Magic fans to dilldue themselves that their team is better for having lost Shaq (Penny) AND Tmac based soley on the fact that they have 2 fewer losses than the Rockets at the 1/3 point of the first season after the trade. Tmac took them to the playoffs the season before -
Balla, Like the Oilers, Francis is gone. Now it's time to choose. Texans (Rockets) or Titans (Orlando and Francis). What's it gonna be?
Things that I like about Francis - His energy in the game. - His dedication to his team. BUT... One thing I dislike is his mental attachment to people. The NBA is a business. The sooner he realizes it, the sooner he can focus on improving his game and the team around him. He seems to carry a chip on his shoulder, because of the ever-changing players around him. IMO oh and 1 more thing. Can we dis the Franchise label?
I agree that people have been hard on Francis, but it's because of emotion. We relied on him for a long time to be our franchise savior, and we had such high expectations. If you think about how much frustration some people here feel toward Yao NOW, imagine if he didn't improve very much for the next three years. I loved having Steve, he was often fun to watch and sometimes maddeningly dumb. But Steve is who he is. He's the same player he'll always be, which is what made him so frustrating. For all of the TNT bashing of TMac, I think the difference between them is that TMac, who obviously has flaws, knows how to close out games. From watching last night, you can see on Steve's face that he REALLY wants to win. But he doesn't always know HOW to win. That said, we should cheer him when he came back. But it's fair to remember his limitations and faults, as long as people don't get unfair or overly emotional (as some have). Carlos Beltran, on the other hand, should get freaking booed for nine innings.
Steve always played hard while he was here, you gotta give him that. He just needs to grow up, but that's not our problem anymore.
When Steve comes to H-town, I'm gonna cheer, not boo. He was traded away from a situation he liked. It's not like he left us chasing free agent contracts or demanded to get out of here. He wanted to be a part of this city, and I have nothing but love for Stevie.
Did any of you guys see the interview with Francis last night where they asked him about the tech he picked up and he boasted "That ain't nothin' new. I lead the league in techs last year. I ain't a punk, I ain't a sucka." or something very close to that? I was really surprised to hear him say that. I'm accostumed to him handling himself with more class than that.
I think it's a little classless to boo, but in Francis' case, it seems like a touch of the 'ol karma. Just ask the 37 people who were Vancouver Grizzlie fans.
Hating a player because he wanted to stay on your team Hating a player for loving your team and your city Interesting reasons to hate a person Rocket River
So . . basically T-mac has about 3 yrs. . . or we will boo him too There is only ExRocket i cannot stand . . .that is Pippen [never liked him before all that . . and his time here did not help] For now TMac has a pass. . . . because unlike Steve's seasons of non playoffs he has scrubs around him . . . while steve had FRICKIN' ALLSTARS let the revisionist around here tell it Rocket River
It's too simple minded. You know people don't hate Steve for that. Moochie wanted to stay too, he loved the team and the city. Does that mean we want to keep him? What about thousands other guys who would love to sit on the bench for the Rockets. Would you take them if they vouch their undying love for Houston?
I don't think anyone hates Steve for what he did in Houston. They might hate how he handled himself after the trade. Houston has always prided itself in having class organizations, and after word of the trade got around, Steve was anything but. While Tmac and Steve-O both have said dumb things to the media, I think Tmac is smarter in knowing what to say and what not to say. That much is evident in the quotes, with Steve bashing the Rockets organization. Had Francis approached the trade like Mobley, I don't think there would be as much hatred.
The Orlando fans held a clinic on how to treat former players last night. Let's not follow their example, classless.
Okay I think some line has been crossed here. It's one thing for fans to rag and hate on Steve, in fact I'm all for it , but IMO the Rockets organization themselves should not be taking jabs (though it's not that bad) at former players like that ("Steve who?"). Leave that to Wussybrod. We are not Orlando. We are better than that, c'mon Les, CD, T-Mac (not that one, the other one, Tim McDougall ).
