where did i say i like mcgrady? i definitely have a few annoyances toward mcgrady, but i support him regardless simply because he's a rocket. i don't think mcgrady comes close to steve when it comes to running his mouth, save for this recent episode with orlando management....even then, tmac has been pretty good about keeping his mouth closed for the most part.
Here's Francis's original quote.... Francis: ``I know for me, I would've played in the game regardless of the situation.'' Now lets read between the lines... ..."I know for me, I would have played regardless of the situation...because I'm a warrior. I'm not afraid of any situation. TMac, on the other hand is scared and gutless. Thus, I'm a bigger man than he is...I'm a warrior, like Karl Malone. If I was TMac I would have played regardless of what JVG said. I'd play regardless because I'm a tough guy and defiant. I don't take no smack from anyone! How I play on the court really doesn't matter. As long as I make this *tough guy* statement! As long as people know. It's about me!"
That is the reason that I like Yao. He never said bad things about any players, or people. I like Duncan too.
Hey, Just B. You are right. There is "hometown immunity" a bit. But it's more complex than that. In the world of sports...It's best to just keep quiet, and then prove it on the court (as far as Houston fans are concerned). Second best is to talk trash, but still back it up on the court (A little controversy/drama for the media can't hurt; ESPN darlings; Joe Namath, Rasheed Wallace). The worst, is to talk the talk, but fall on your face (as Francis has done before). If McGrady was to talk trash and then not back it up, he'd lose respect here in Houston. What happens on the court matters. So, it's up to the player. Can he handle the heat? Like I said. It's best to just shut-up and then kick ass on the court (Stay humble. Or rather, speak softly and carry a big stick). But if we get a player that CAN talk trash, but back it up too. That's just as good IMO (although, more risky; hero or the goat). Note: Kobe is a special case. He's cocky on the court as well as off the court. It's more of an ingrained arrogance. That's different than what Rasheed Wallace said, "We will win (the series)." That was in the heat of the moment. And when those things happen, and that player backs it up. It makes for good, genuine competition (although, he didn't score very much in those last few games). Thus, it's not about "cockiness" in Sheed's case, but rather confidence being backed up.
i actually don't think t-mac is half as bad as steve is when it comes to running his mouth, like i said before. yea, t-mac is full of himself, no doubt. but i think steve is on a whole other level. some of the things he says (and does) are just downright boneheaded. bottom line - steve is eeextremely immature and i dont think he has grown up one bit since coming into the league. tmac - especially considering he was a high schooler coming in - is not as bad as steve, although he does have his low moments (as we have already seen). it just doesn't stop with steve though. i don't think orlando knows what they've gotten themselves into. steve is a headcase, imo.
is this thread for real? i can't even begin to understand what the problem with steve's quote is? what the hell are you people reading into it?
Please tell me what things Stevie said tops the "It feels good to get out of the first round (then proceed to lose the round)" "I'm better than Baron Davis (when his team is losing the series badly)" I like McGrady, perhaps the most talented wingman ever to wear a Rox jersey (and that's with Clyde and Quitten included), but to say he runs his mouth less than Steve (a whole other level less no doubt) is just downright wrong.
The problem that I have with Steves comment is that it seems to demonstrate that he will not listen to the coach. It is obviously the coaches decision as to who is on the floor. Steve saying he would have played anyway indicates he would have somehow ignored or userped his coaches authority. To me it seems the same to me as the coach saying, "ok set a pick and work the ball to Yao down low", then having the player hold the ball and try to break down the defence of the dribble. Pretty much that is why the Pistons are the current champions and the Lakers are not. Steve's quote shows that Steve still does not put the team first. To many, including me, that is a problem.
Exactly! To me it seems as if hes saying "well I wouldve played in that game no matter what." Implying that if JVG or his new coach Johnny Davis wouldve benched him, he wouldve played no matter what or at least tried to create a big fuss about it and try to make the coach play him. Liek he had something to prove cause he's so "tough" or "cool". Im happy that Tmac has the confidence enough in himself to just be like "ok, i will sit out, I have nothing to prove here." Steve just has a chip on his shoulder. Has Tmac said some dumb stuff? yes. Has Iverson? yes. You can pretty much get a dumb quote from 90% of the NBA players in the league. My focus is on Stve and specifically This quote. But also, more generally, his attitude over the years.
Worth repeating. IOW Steve haters get over it. He is the star, on another team, and entirely entitled to his opinion.
Yes, he is. But wouldn't you SOF's appreciate it if maybe once in a hundred quotes his response to an NBA situation wasn't some sort of test of his machismo? Try this on.... "I would have gone out there." vs "It's tough on any competitive player to sit when the coach or game situation requires it. I'd be very difficult for me even in a preseason game".
Gater, Come on now, that is a sensible answer, most players, especially passionate ones like Steve are not going to give the sensible answer. I have no problem with it. I think both teams are better...and we have a new rival...all good to me. DD
hey im a 100% tmac rockets fan but yall need to stfu, steve loves houston, and we should love him, if it wasnt for him we wouldn't have made the playoffs last year, and we wouldn't have tmac today, thats besdies teh point, francis loved us, he gave his heart out everynight for us, and now that hes on another team i dont think we should clown on him like yall r doin
Why does anyone care? If Yao left, I'd wish him well and then cheer every time the Rockets beat his team's ass into submission. I wish nothing but the best for Steve, but I want his team to lose to the Rockets every single time. But, since he is no longer a Houston Rocket, I don't give a crap what he says just like I wouldn't care what Yao said if he left. This is about the TEAM. That's why this is a Houston Rockets fan site, not a Yao or Steve or T-Mac or Boki fan site.
Why do people say, "shut your trap and play". He’s a human, he has thoughts, he has things to say and as an American citizen, he has every right to say it. You rather him give a complete PC statement of "Yeah that was a good move by the coach. That’s how he likes to coach and he has been wining with it". When in his head he’s think" F JVG I would have played" I would rather hear what he’s REALLY thinking not that scripted BS there told to say. I just wish more players would do that Besides I think if Francis was still with the rockets he would of played or been extremely pissed about not. Unlike T-mac thinking YEA!! day off EDIT: Im on it.
Francis bashers care because deep down they know that he was a gamer that brought it every night. Francis unprofessional? Professionality is an anomaly in "professional" sports. It's a rockstar's life for these guys and nearly all of them soak it up to the max. I can't say I blame them. Francis made the Rockets an exciting team again. Sure, in the end his ability to mesh with JVG and Yao became questionable (I don't buy the Yao argument as much as it was worn out by the media), but who can question his desire to win? I'll always be a Francis fan... but a Rockets fan first!
