what really happened to steve francis?

[TruSkool]

believe it or not, steve francis was a very, very good player. he was super athletic, and he could take you out 9-10 times in an isolation situation.
he had a fair number of points, rebounds, and assists in his first couple of years with houston.
it all started after he got traded. from being allstar swapped for t-mac, to being the biggest bench warmer in the NBA.

i can understand a player being older, and losing some game, but come on....he was a top 3 pick in the draft, and he PROVED he belonged in the NBA...he was an allstar starter, hes had career games, and now hes suddenly just done.

WHAT REALLY HAPPENED TO STEVE FRANCIS?

ps- i dont remember him going thru any MAJOR injuries either.

[Cigamodnalro]

His confidence was shook when he was traded and then traded again, and a poor work ethic prevented him from overcoming it.

[tranjSAIC]

plus when his boyfriend, Mobley got traded her sunk into a deep depression.

[Blame Rasho]

Well he kinda sucks when he isn't dominating the ball... He can't play a role.... simple as that.

[aznkillabeezZz]

Poor conditioning, no focus, injuries, cupcakes, age. He really lost focus after getting traded to knicks and ever since his big pay day, he lost his heart.

[aznkillabeezZz]

If you want him so bad, we'll give him to you for free, just be sure to have cupcakes.

[kandiking]

the same thing that will happen to wade

[aznkillabeezZz]

wade will never be a stevie F, because his passing game is heaps better than stevie. Steve doesn't know how to run an offense. Just knows how to dominate the ball, unfortunately he lost his freak athleticism to beat people one on one anymore so his whole game is gone.

[Mr. Perfect]

24 second shot clock.

*Calls for ISO.
*Dribble Dribble 15 seconds left
* Dribble Dribble 8 seconds left
* Crossover attempt 4 seconds left
*Bricked shot


He can't make those shats anymore. His work ethic is a joke.

[crackjack]

He still has the same skills that tricked a lot of fans into believing that he was a good player.

Unfortunately, if the offense isn't built around him, then those skills aren't nearly as useful.

Francis can be an all-star again if you find him a team that has absolutely no interest in winning games and surround him with 4 players who don't want to shoot.

[cdubbz]

Yeah its a sad story...for the most part he did it to himself by losing motivation and being out of shape. He was a top point gaurd his first few years and was on the same level as Baron Davis, AI, Marbury at the time.

[miller31time]

If he just had a work ethic, he'd be a good player in this league.

Completely discarding his shooting, he does many positive things on the court - decent passer, great rebounder for a guard, good at knowing when to jump the passing lane, etc.

When you put him in the game, you just need to know that he's a scorer. Let him come into the game a shoot with iso plays, screen and rolls, stuff like that. Don't expect him to be a pure point guard off the bench, though.

[TheBirdLar]

If I recall correctly, one of these basketball boards, likely this one, I saw a picture of Stevie Franchise smoking what was seemingly crack.

Anyone have that pic?

[HarlemHeat37]

used to be one of my favorite players..I remember him, Marbury and Baron used to get compared a lot..except Baron is still at the level, while the other 2 have fallen off..

I don't see why he can't be a 6th or 7th man for a team, like a Barbosa-type of player..I've never seen Barbosa display any skills other than his scoring..Francis isn't as quick as him, but he could still be a good player in that role..

he looked like a spark plug for the Rockets in his 1st few games that I saw..

[Pats19andO]

He got High b/c Cuttino left

[Jemini80]

he can't elevate on his shots anymore because his legs are shot, thus causing brick after brick after brick. I'm not sure why you guys are saying he never had major injuries, why do you think he is so slow and has no lateral movement or hops?

He never was that good anyway, he is to PGs what Antoine Walker is to PFs. Volume shooters who make "flashy" plays and are "superstars" until actual talented players come to their team (Pierce or Yao). Once this happens people realize they suck.

[Eric12]

If I recall correctly, one of these basketball boards, likely this one, I saw a picture of Stevie Franchise smoking what was seemingly crack.

Anyone have that pic?

It looks fake though. The bong kinda looks like it's pasted in front of his hand, it looks like he's not even holding it. Photoshopped.... maybe...

[Awoooga]

Francis is horrible. He can't shoot, jump, or dribble at all anymore. It's sad that he has fallen so much but he did it to himself.

[fadeawayjae]

-= original quote snipped =-



(picture)

It looks fake though. The bong kinda looks like it's pasted in front of his hand, it looks like he's not even holding it. Photoshopped.... maybe...

that's not him the pic. it look like it was took in the 80's, but yeah he is injured I think he will play better next year

[UCF]

Francis wasn't horrible in Orlando, but he sure went to the crapper once he hit new york. I thought he might have a come back in Houston, but it doesn't seem to have taken off. He's got a great 1 on 1 game, but lacks the team play imo. I didn't agree with dealing him at the time for what we got, but now looking forward I see why we dealt him.