<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Jeff Van Gundy would never tell you the Tracy McGrady-Steve Francis trade was about anything but acquiring talent. It wasn't about getting rid of Francis ? about Van Gundy having had more than his fill of the Franchise's style. It wasn't about all those things Francis did that made Van Gundy's skin crawl and the hair on the back of his neck stand on end. It wasn't about rifts or the ever-fateful "philosophical differences." And rest assured, Van Gundy knew as much as anyone that Francis could be a joy to watch when he was at his highlight-reel best. He could win a lot of games almost all by himself, which usually was his preferred way. It wasn't all rosy But even if Van Gundy would never say it, don't ever doubt that even if Francis wasn't a cancer to this Rockets team, he did have some symptoms. Like a swelled head. And a puffed-out chest.</div> Source
Wow, this guy here certainly wasn't a Francis fan. While what he said about Francis was largely true, he forgot to mention the good points that Francis brought to us and the holes that his departure has left us with. Now, we are reduced to signing a bunch of old or unproven point guards that were not needed last season because of Francis's ability to play 40 minutes each night. We are also missing his fast break game; c'mon, you can't expect a blistering run down the court with Charlie Ward can you? Most of all, Francis was able to get the most out of Yao. Although Yao is having better stats this season, Francis was the one that demanded more out of him and as a result, Yao stepped it up whenever Francis asked him to. McGrady is not doing that.
I still believe the T-Mac/Francis trade was good for both teams. In the long term, T-mac will be great for us, but Francis is a real battler. He will go down as one of the players I have a lot of respect for coming out of the rockets, along with Cassell, and Horry. Then again I even have respect for Matt Maloney, but lets not go there.
As much of a Steve Francis fan I am, I believe that article was entirley true, the trade worked well for both teams, Yao is playing better with T-Mac and Francis is having a career season in Orlando.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Dan Le:</div><div class="quote_post">As much of a Steve Francis fan I am, I believe that article was entirley true, the trade worked well for both teams, Yao is playing better with T-Mac and Francis is having a career season in Orlando.</div> I have to agree with the article as well.. The guy is what? 27 or 28? He needs to grow up and show some maturity before he can be a better player. Maybe Weisbrod was right to trade Mobley.
man people need to just leave steve alone, he's gone so why bring up old memories....this guy is clearly just a francis basher....yes steve had trouble turning the ball over, but this guy acts as if francis never did anything good for the rockets........why not mention how he took less shots last year to compliment van gundys style, why not talk about his good playoff series against the lakers, why not talk about how hard he played every night................I like the tmac trade, but I hate when people just lash out at their old players like that..........I'm out
