Showing definance towards ones coach is the last thing you need when the coach is trying to build a TEAM whose players need to be on the same page. And to make matters worse, SF is trying to show his "defiance" in a way that would somehow portray himself, as a "bigger man" compared to Tmac. This is one of the main reasons that he was traded. His defiance was evident in his play within the team concept (I'll do it MY WAY!), much less the coach.
Perhaps everyone should re-read Mo Taylor's quote concerning Steve AND Cat. There's no hiding - I love Cat...period. But Steve? Who cares...I mean, he's ok but big deal. There's a reason why he was traded. He's a good player. TMAC is top 3 - there's a weeee bit of difference there. There's not one single thing that Steve does better than Tracy when compared fairly. Cat is solid and Cato is simply as bad as any player in this league. Please, don't bring up defense. Like Mo said, they're drama queens, ref-yellers, and "I'm gonna lay down on this floor until someone helps me up' ers and I promise, Mo's so accurate you have no idea. Check back at the end of the season and let's see where we are. I know people think Orlando could win the East. I personally think they'll barely contend. Personally, I think they're bad...that's it. Steve or no Steve...I just don't think they're very good. Grant Hill COULD change that because he is a GREAT player when healthy. He'll lecture Steve at LEAST 20 times before the season's over. This year is going to be fun..I haven't had this much confidence in this team in a long time!!
I think this professional crap has gone too far. Steve running his mouth? You are only fooling yourself (and maybe some bias Francis haters) by making this your soul excuse for hating him. Regardless of what he says he will have his words twisted by everyone of you to make it look like he is "unprofessional". Would you call Yao pushing that guy in the Olympics unprofessional? Would you call T-Mac bailing out on his team when they are down? Have you ever cursed at a ref for a bad call? This is also unprofessional and it is an example of human emotions which are very normal.
Also, I'm pretty sure Steve was alittle cut-up as T-Mac and JJ were playing in games leading upto their match-up and JVG kept them out purposely. I don't know how this is a shot at T-Mac at all, more of a shot at JVG and maybe even a challenge to T-Mac.
Question: do you remember MO T when he was with the Clippers? Rocket River not to mention his issues with the hippie lettuce so IMO he is not the most credible of sources
From another thread, this was posted by brush: very interesting news from Chinese news media, if they are credible http://sports.sina.com.cn/k/2004-10...551213852.shtml http://sports.sina.com.cn/k/2004-10...291213702.shtml Several points: 1. Yao was not supposed to play, but he insisted otherwise. 2. He wanted to play the game, because he thought that he had to face that group of special people for him and he had to get used to that. 3. Watching Francis, Mobley and Cato in the other team, the feeling was strange but he had to accept it. In every jumpball, he thinks about Cato 4. Facing those three player, he felt not good. He missed them, and felt not able to accept the truth. Playing against them, it is kinda againt the chinese brotherhood and social rule. He had to try to let his personal feeling go, because he has to gel with the current Rocket team. 5. During the game, he could not focus on the game and made many bad offensive decision. Francis was probably so familiar with Yao, (so he could predict his intention to steal), or he didn't adapt to right rhythm. 6. He rated his game at C-, next time in regular season he will try his best. 7. there must have been a good reason that T-Mac didn't play, Yao thinks that it is probably to protect him. 8. He told KJ (vice-manager?) on the flight back to Houston that maybe in ten year every NBA team will have his previous teammate. 9. He has to thank Francis, Mobley and Cato, (unfortunately,) there is always an END. Please don't mention it (their departure?) again. Said to the reporter. The END.http://bbs.clutchfans.net/showthread.php?s=&threadid=85583&perpage=30&pagenumber=7
"gotta love francis" WAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHH quit crying this quote is misleading and lame, nowhere in the Yahoo recap does the reporter show bias towards anyone
Dave what the hell are you talking about? Who's trying to scare anyone? My only point was that Francis played his heart out every night. As for your pithy diatribe, "scary" That's deep... Impressive to resort to calumny just because you disagree.
forsythtroy, my post was in direct response to your accusation that *we* "Francis bashers" are bashing him because we "deep down, know" that he has "game?" Which is far from the truth. He has *some* game. But his "game" isn't enough to tolerate him on this TEAM. All because of his turnovers and generally bad decisions he makes on the court. Enjoying his "game" isn't enough. He's too much a liability. Especially as our max-contract player.
Rocket River, Did Yao leave Orlando on bad terms? Don't ya think the situation is kinda different? Maybe just a little bit...Yao played because he wanted to get the nervous feeling out from playing against his old teammates (buddies). He admitted it. But he wanted to shake out the cobwebs so that the next time he'll play better. McGrady wont have this problem. He'll play with FIRE and ANGER! And JVG didn't want him injured in a preseason game just to "prove a point." JVG's move was all business. Lets savor our wins when it counts. TMac will be there. And so will you.
I'm glad Steve played. He showed alot of passion in the first quarter, and set the tone for the game. Tracy should of played but he just purely punked out. That's crap how so many of you are saying that all great players would listen to there coach. I remember time and time again when Jordan ignored Phil Jackson plays and orders; but he's considered by most the greatest basket ball player of all time. It was stated in the Orlando sentinel how Vangundy informed McGrady a few days before the show down how he probably wouldn't play in the game against Orlando. But McGrady kept hyping up the game by telling a radio show in Orlando how he's excited to be playing against his former team and he's ready. I want the Rockets to suceed but we purely cut out our heart with this trade and recieved a bunch of fatty tissue.
Jordan was considered one of the great players of all time because of who and what he was. He proved it on the court. You act like "not listening" to his coach was the reason that he was "great." Ask yourself, how many times that Jordan DID listen to his coach? Then, you'll see the big picture. Jordan didn't become "great" until he was reigned in by Phil and taught the importance of the team concept. McGrady will get his chance to prove it. Just watch what he does this year. I can't believe you are actually advocating that our players (stars) NOT listen to their coaches (the Francis-childish-defiance). That's NOT what this team needs: More "me first" players! ! McGrady did the right thing. He's learning how to play within the team. As a team.
it was not so much about T-Mac but people Dogging Francis for basically wanting to play too . . . Rocket River players WANT to Play
I'm ok with Tracy not playing save the pent up aggression til it counts I'm glad Steve got a chance to release his So maybe his intensity will be less in the regular season I just hate the hating and hypocracy Rocket River
I'm willing to give TMac 2 years to prove himself. But considering what he's learned in the past (can't do it alone), he'll prove himself THIS year. No hypocrisy here. Francis had his chance (five years).
