Now don't get me wrong. I love Stevie. He's our franchise player. But don't you guys think he has a little - scratch that, a LOT of maturing to do? Not only are his little childish antics making him look like a complete ass, they're hurting the team too. He complained quite often of being fouled when he drove it in, and got a technical at a VERY crucial time at the game. Not only that, he wasn't even fouled! If you guys saw the replay, he wasn't touched! I have absolutely no clue what the hell was was screaming about. Then at the end of the game, he celebrates like he won the championship. Steve obviously has some major growing up to do. I remember last summer on draft night, Bob Kemp went on a rant on how big of a jerk Steve was. We all know that Kemp is a complete ass himself, but his rant wasn't too far off. If you ask me, Steve definitely does not act like a franchise player that I would want on my team. He makes the whole team look bad. I hope he grows up - soon.
As long as Steve makes the right decisions on the court and keeps himself out of major trouble, I don't care how much trash he talks on the court itself. If Steve thinks he got fouled and doesn't cost the team the game by either giving up a technical at a critical point (he could have done that tonight) or gets himself thrown from the game, then so be it. Generally, I think Steve presents himself well to most NBA fans (in and out of Houston). Some will never forget draft night and therefore try to read into every little thing he does. But to say that some of the behavior that Steve demonstrated tonight is necessarily a bad thing would be a bit short sighted. I can think of several superstars (Iverson, Payton, Bryant, etc.) who tend to be very vocal and even taunt the crowds during road games. Such behavior can get a bit distracting if done on a regular basis, but I think Steve tends to use it sparingly (especially since the Grizzlies left Vancouver). Ultimately, as long as Rudy T thinks Steve isn't being too much of an ass (and Steve listens when Rudy thinks he is - a whole other thread unto itself), then I think everything is just fine.
I was shocked when Steve yelled at the ref after he made the layup. That would have cost the Rockets a point and maybe the game if Billup made the tech freebie. Luckily he didn't. I agree Steve has some growing up to do as well. But then again we are not the players on the court and we don't know exactly what had happened there.
eh, everybody complains to the refs. There isn't a player in the NBA who hasn't at some point complained to the refs. Its learning HOW to complain to the refs that counts, and that comes with experience.
Yeah, well, the difference is that those players are all on winning teams and have a right to brag. Stevie does not.
If you guys are fine with his attitude, then be fine with the fact that USA Basketball wants no part of him representing our country.
Rocketkid, I understand your concerns. The after game antics may have been Steve's show of revenge after being verbally attacked by boisterous fans. Hey I can understand that. The untimely tech though, that seemed like the reaction of a tanker, otherwise that was inexcusable. To just about ask the ref for a technical in such a crucial part of the game made me wonder if Steve Francis had a room checked out in Tankcity Hotel. Also, all that showtime dribbling when he goes behind-his back-between-his-legs or high-leg-kicks when his team is losing also makes one wonder what the hell is up with him. To me, these are all petty concerns when one is winning, but they are magnified, and rightly so, when ones team is down in the cellar with very little room to strut.
Who here knows? Maybe Steve is getting mugged out there. I'm as biased as a Republican, but I think Steve gets mugged way too often. BTW, ESPN talked about the game, and they said, about Steve: this is getting old; Stevie Franchise hits the winner again.
I don't know. It seems Steve's been a little snippy lately. 1.) Comment about the Spurs 2.) Ignoring Rudy on a timeout 3.) Wanting to kick Clutch's ass after it skated in his walking path.(did anyone else see this?) I wonder what's going on.
Gosh, I wonder if having migraines where the pain is head-banging intense, he gets dizzy and wonders if his career might practically be over, could occasionally put him in a bad mood. Give the guy a break.
Jordan trash talks. Payton trash talks. Tim Hardaway trash talks. Barkley trash talked. Bird trash talked. I think he is in good company. os
let's see....USA basketball wants no part of Steve Francis....mmmm okay, so I guess USA Basketball is setting a new standard in that they do want part of a Jason "the reformed wife beater, I am a model citizen" Kidd? C'mon.....it's pretty a lame and ridiculous hypothesis that the criteria does not allow an excitable, young NBA All-Star on the team, but that a wife beater gets the nod....
I guess we are still waiting on Karl Malone to grow up too, since he did exactly this same thing the other night. I do think he has some maturing to do, but no harm no foul. And the fact that he PASSED the ball to EG when we were down 95-92 on the high pick and roll tells me a LOT more about him maturing then yelling at a ref. That just shows he cares. DaDakota
heck, KG is the master of the shhhhhh gesture! how many times does he repeat this in a game....what about Kobe's not this night head shake...the list can go on and on....I would put to anyone that all the great players trash talk and kindly gesture to the crowd DD, great point on the pass off to EG! If Steve took that shot, it would have kinda mirrored the shot against Utah with someone in his face, but he had no other option then. This time he had a choice and chose to dish to a better, more high percentage situation...that is court vision, that is maturity! also, that is confidence in his teammates!!!!
