It was a joke - geez! Ok, so my favorite moment of Steve's was against the Lakers. It wasn't that he scored 44. It was that for the game winner, he passed it for the slam...and getting traded! (Sorry!)
"Watch this kid," said Barkley. "He's got the raw skills to be something special." "I am feeling good about coming to the end of my career with the Rockets," said Olajuwon. "The future is in good hands. This isn't my team anymore. It belongs to Steve."
I'll always remember the image of he and Cat cruising around on Vespas on an ESPN show. They were at a Ferrari dealer, before he signed his max contract, looking at cars. Since there was such a long waiting list for the vehciles with the prancing horse on them, they decided to test drive Vespa scooters instead. It was hysterical, and also showed what great friends they must be.
I remember one game when Steve scored 27 points in the first half against the Jazz. It was amazing. However, he was ejected in the third quarter for no reason at all (he was pumping his fist or something). My brother and I were so pissed at the refs. He was my favorite Rocket between Hakeem and Yao. I got frustrated with him this season at times, I don't wanna see SF leave.
man all these memories.. its gonna be hard to watch the rockets next year with out stevie or cat but it will make it alot easier to watch em with mcgrady
My favorite Francis moments is when the Toyota Center plays "Stand Up" by Ludacris and Steve is bringing up the ball, Kelvin Cato sets a pick and roll away to the basket and Steve fires up the ball to Cato for the monster two handed dunk!
Clinching the Rockets first playoff bert since '98 against the Nuggets this year. The Nugs were on a winning streak and I think the Rockets had lost their previous three or something and all they needed was one win to clinch a spot. Steve had about 27 I think but he got the team to play at his energy level during that game, which is something he couldn't do all the time unfortunately. Good luck to Steve
The reverse lay-up that he made against the Fakers in that game that he scored 44. Also, him stiffing Jim Gray was great, as well.
this thread is gonna get me teary eyed. dammit. the guy always played hard and he was the heart and soul of our team. while the big men are suppose to be the "enforcers" for Yao, it always seemed like it was Steve. best of luck Steve!
Funny this post should appear ... I was at a sports bar the other day and they were running a DVD of great NBA dunkers, and there was like a full three minutes dedicated to alley-oops featuring either Cat or Stevie. I was definitely wistful watching those highlights, and the infectious enthusiasm that our backcourt brought to every game. One thing about T-Mac is that since the game seems to come so easy to him, it never really looks like he's breaking a sweat or even trying hard. That's not necessarily a knock on his work ethic. It's just that he's so effortless out there. With Steve and Cat, the level of intensity and effort was always palpable.
I *have* to get League Pass The three going are three that work well together if Cato had a 1000 pts this year then 900 of them came off Steve's passes for alley oops Steve and Cat Man . . Heart and Soul intensity and energy . . . . They will be missed Rocket River
A few of my favorite Steve moments... "It's not as easy as you think"-Cuttino Mobley to Steve Francis his rookie year. Hakeem laughing at Steve's outfit and teaching Steve how to dress like a "professional" early in his career. Steve (and assistant Cat) giving the hyped up Vince Carter a run for his money in the dunk contest. Steve giving Yao an alley for his first all star points ever! The cross overs! The dunks! The alleys! I dont see any team running the alleys as good as the 02-03 Rockets. The over the back dish to Yao for his first career 3 ptr against Golden State. The 2004 Playoffs! We love you Steve! I will continue to follow your career to the end! and I hope you continue to live in Houston! You have the heart of a Champion!
I love you too Steve! I will follow you also Next season, I have two teams to root for, Rox and Orlando!
He had a rebound dunk in the last few minutes in his first game as a Rocket. (I was there, and I think that is correct) Here is the recap to Steve's first game as a Rocket. It was a same night the first arena vote fell though: http://www.clutchfans.net/game.cfm?gameID=1 His 44pt 10assist game OT win over the Lakers. I was at that game too, and it was incredible. also:
I really wish that we could have kept it together, and though I'm here in Orlando I won't enjoy watching them here if they always lose. I think that after all of his loyalty that he deserved better, I wish all three of them the best of luck.
