Steve Francis

infobox NBA Player


name = Steve Francis
nickname = Wink, Stevie Franchise, Steve-O, The Franchise
position = Point guard/Shooting guard
height_ft = 6 | height_in = 3
weight_lbs = 210
team = Houston Rockets
number = 3
league = NBA
nationality = American
birth_date = birth date and age|1977|2|21
birth_place = Takoma Park, Maryland
highschool =Montgomery Blair
college = Maryland
draft = 2nd overall
draft_year = 1999
draft_team = Vancouver Grizzlies
career_start = 1999
former_teams = Houston Rockets (1999–2004)
Orlando Magic (2004–2006)
New York Knicks (2006–2007)
Portland Trail Blazers (traded/DNP) Houston Rockets (2007- present)
awards = 1999-00 Schick NBA Co-Rookie of the Year
3-Time NBA All-Star

Steve D'Shawn Francis (born February 21 1977, in Takoma Park, Maryland, [http://netscape.nba.com/rockets/news/camp_bios_001003.html Rockets Training Camp Bios] ] U.S.) is an American professional basketball player for the Houston Rockets of the NBA. Nicknamed "Stevie Franchise"Cite web | last = Associated Press | title = Francis hoping new-found maturity helps strengthen Rockets' title hopes | publisher = ESPN | accessdate = 2008-08-28 | date = 2007-07-20 | url = http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=2943970] and self-described as "Steve-O", [Cite web | last = Mike Tulumello | title = Inside the NBA - Blazers have lost an estimated $147M in last 2 years | work = East Valley Tribune | accessdate = 2008-08-28
date = 2005-01-09 | url = http://www.eastvalleytribune.com/story/34474] he was known early in his career for his crossover dribble, driving ability, and flashy dunks. [Cite web | last = Frank Isola
title = FRANCIS CARRIES MARYLAND | work = New York Daily News | accessdate = 2008-08-28 | date = 1998-12-07
url = http://www.nydailynews.com/archives/sports/1998/12/07/1998-12-07_francis_carries_maryland.html] cite web|url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/inside_game/magazine/basketball/nba/news/1999/05/18/nba0524/#2|title=Lottery Bound?: Francis Aims to Be Top Pick |author=Jackie MacMullan|date=1999-05-18|work=Sports Illustrated|accessdate=2008-08-28]

Early Years

Francis grew up in Takoma Park, Maryland with little money and no father. When his mother died of brain cancer in 1995, his grandmother raised him. He stopped playing basketball for 2 years after his mother's death.

He attended San Jacinto College in 1997 and Allegany College of Maryland in 1998. Francis became the first player to take two unbeaten teams into the National Junior College Tournament.

University of Maryland

Francis transferred to the University of Maryland in 1998 for his junior season. The addition of Francis helped propel the Terrapins to a #5 preseason ranking. Francis made an instant impact as Maryland's starting shooting guard, scoring 17 points in the season opener against Western Carolina. Francis and the Terps gained national attention with impressive showings in the Puerto Rico Shootout and a 62-60 win over #5 Stanford in the BB&T Classic. The Terps climbed to a #2 national ranking by early December. [cite web|title = COLLEGE BASkETBALL: MEN'S ROUNDUP -- BB&T CLASSIC; Maryland Edges Past Stanford And Answers Many Questions | url=http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9C01E0DE173AF934A35751C1A96E958260|last=Associated Press|date=1998-12-07|work=New York Times|accessdate=2008-08-28]

The Terrapins finished second in the ACC in the 1998-99 season with a 13-3 record, losing only to Duke (twice) and Wake Forest. They were defeated by UNC in the semifinals of the ACC tournament. Francis was named to the All-ACC first team and the All ACC Tournament team. The Terrapins were a number 2 seed in the NCAA tournament but were defeated by St. John's in the Sweet 16. Under Francis' leadership, Maryland finished with a school record-setting 28 wins and only 6 losses and were ranked #5 in the final Associated Press poll.

Francis finished the season averaging 17 points per game, 4.5 assists per game, and 2.8 steals per game. He was a consensus second-team All-American and was named a finalist for the Wooden and Naismith Player of the Year Awards. Although he stated he was "99% sure" he would return to Maryland for his senior season, he opted to enter the NBA draft.

On February 17, 2002, Francis' #23 jersey was honored (but not retired) by Maryland in a ceremony preceding the game against the #1 ranked Duke Blue Devils. [cite web|url=http://www.usatoday.com/sports/nba/games/2002-02-18-wizards-rockets.htm|title=Rockets light up Wizards |last=Joe White|date=2002-02-18|work=USA Today|accessdate=2008-08-28] Francis sat on the team's bench during the game and cheered as the Terrapins upset the Blue Devils 87-73.

NBA career

Houston Rockets (1999-2004)

Francis, out of the University of Maryland, was the second overall pick in the 1999 NBA Draft by the Vancouver Grizzlies. He infamously wept in disappointment after being chosen by Vancouver, predicting that the Chicago Bulls would regret selecting Elton Brand first overall instead. He also publicly announced that he did not want to play for the Grizzlies, citing the distance from his Maryland home, taxes, Canadian money, endorsements,the cold,and God's will. Francis was heavily criticized for his antics, especially in Vancouver. [cite web|url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/basketball/nba/news/2001/07/04/sayitaintso_grizzlies/|title=Say It Ain't So: Vancouver Grizzlies|year=2001|publisher=CNNSI.com|accessdate=2008-08-28]

Francis got his wish when he was subsequently traded to the Houston Rockets that summer in a three-team, 11-player blockbuster deal that brought Michael Dickerson, Othella Harrington, Antoine Carr and Brent Price, plus first- and second-round picks to the Grizzlies. It was the largest trade in NBA history. [cite web|url=http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/1999/09/01/archive/main60791.shtml|title=Rockets Sign Steve Francis|last=Associated Press|date=1999-09-01|publisher=CBS News|accessdate=2008-08-29] He and Brand shared Rookie of the Year honors [cite web|url=http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2000/05/09/archive/main193490.shtml|title=Bull, Rocket Win Rookie Award|last=Associated Press|date=2000-05-09|publisher=CBS News|accessdate=2008-08-29] , and Francis was the runner-up to Vince Carter in the 2000 Slam Dunk Contest.

Despite the individual accolades, the Rockets finished with a 34-48 record in his rookie season. In his second year, the Rockets improved to a 45-37 record, but still missed the playoffs. In his 3rd year, Francis played in only 55 games due to a foot injury and recurring migraines due to Meniere's disease. However, he was voted in as a starter by the fans for the 2002 NBA All-Star Game for the first time in his short career. Despite this, the Rockets posted a 28-54 record which helped win the draft lottery and land them the first pick. In 2002 NBA Draft, they chose 7'6 center Yao Ming. Steve and Yao gelled together in their first season together and they both were selected as starters in the 2003 All-Star Game. On January 17, 2003, Francis scored a career-high 44 points in a nationally televised game against the Lakers. The Rockets posted a better record, 43-39, but it wasn't enough to get them to the playoffs.

The Rockets finally got it together in 2003-2004 season. When Rudy Tomjanovich stepped down in 2003, Jeff Van Gundy became the replacement coach. Jeff Van Gundy's coaching style did not fit Steve's style of play, even though he made the All Star game in the 2003-04 season; his stats declined from 21.0 PPG 6.2 APG 6.2 RPG to 16.6 PPG 5.5 RPG 6.2 APG. The Houston Rockets made the playoffs that year in 2003-04, their 1st playoff berth since 1999 and Steve Francis's only playoff appearance. Despite Francis's performance in the playoff series, averaging 19.2 ppg, 8.4 rpg, and 7.6 apg, the Rockets lost to the Los Angeles Lakers, 4 games to 1. As his relationship with coach Van Gundy deteriorated, it was apparent that the Rockets franchise wanted to go in a different direction. Ultimately, coach Jeff Van Gundy sought to make Yao the focus of the Rockets' offensive attack. However, rather than focusing the offense on Yao, the Rockets traded Francis and others for Tracy McGrady.

During Francis' first tenure in Houston, he averaged 19.3 points, 6. 4 assists, 6.1 rebounds, and 1.63 steals in 374 games (372 starts).

Orlando Magic (2004-2006)

On June 29, 2004, Francis was traded to the Orlando Magic along with Cuttino Mobley and Kelvin Cato in a seven-player deal that sent Tracy McGrady, Juwan Howard, Tyronn Lue, and Reece Gaines to Houston. [cite web|url=http://www.usatoday.com/sports/basketball/nba/2004-06-29-mcgrady-francis-deal_x.htm|title=McGrady-Francis swap official, finally|author=John Denton|date=2004-06-29|work=USA Today|accessdate=2008-10-08]

At first, Francis was unhappy with the trade, but adapted to his new environment. Francis flourished in the "run n' gun" offense of interim head coach Chris Jent. After posting a career-low 16.6 points per game the previous year with the Rockets, Francis averaged 21.3 PPG, 7.0 APG and 5.8 RPG in his first season with the Magic. The Magic started out the year fast in the 2004-05 season, with Francis hitting several game-winning shots early in the season. [cite web|url=http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A24150-2004Nov3.html|title=Hill, Francis Spark Orlando|last=Associated Press|date=2004-11-04|work=Washington Post|accessdate=2008-10-08] [cite web|url=http://www.usatoday.com/sports/basketball/games/2004-11-05-magic-hornets_x.htm|title=Francis hits second game-winner to lift Magic|last=Associated Press|date=2004-11-05|work=USA Today|accessdate=2008-10-08] [cite web|url=http://www.usatoday.com/sports/basketball/games/2005-02-01-cavs-magic_x.htm|title=Magic survive refs' call to edge Cavs|author=John Denton|date=2005-02-01|work=Florida Today|publisher=USA Today|accessdate=2008-10-08] In the middle of the season, Mobley was traded to the Sacramento Kings, which upset Francis. [cite web|title=Magic, Kings swap Mobley for Christie, miffing Francis|author=John Denton|url = http://www.usatoday.com/sports/basketball/nba/2005-01-10-magic-kings-trade_x.htm | date=2005-01-11|work=USA Today|accessdate=2008-08-28] The Magic slumped late and missed the playoffs.

The following season, a disgruntled Francis was suspended for conduct detrimental to the team. On February 5, 2006, there were rumors that he could be traded to the Denver Nuggets for Earl Watson but they were later dismissed and GM Otis Smith publicly announced that he would not trade Francis. [cite web|url=http://www.rockymountainnews.com/drmn/nba/article/0,2777,DRMN_23922_4444404,00.html|title=Magic shoots down Francis report|last=Chris Tomasson|date=2006-02-06|work=Rocky Mountain News|accessdate=2008-08-28] However, rumors persisted that Francis would be traded to the New York Knicks, Los Angeles Lakers, Minnesota Timberwolves, and Denver Nuggets.

New York Knicks (2006-2007)

On 22 February, 2006, one day before the NBA's trade deadline, Steve Francis was traded to the New York Knicks for small forward Trevor Ariza and the expiring contract of shooting guard Anfernee "Penny" Hardaway.cite web|url=http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/02/22/AR2006022201615.html|title=Magic Ships Francis to the Knicks|last=Michael Lee|date=2006-02-23|work=Washington Post|accessdate=2008-08-28] Prior to the trade, the Denver Nuggets reportedly offered both Watson and Kenyon Martin for Francis, but the deal never took place. [cite web|url=http://www.nytimes.com/2006/02/23/sports/23knicks.html|title=Knicks Deal 2 Backups for Another Star Guard|last=Howard Beck|date=2006-02-23|work=New York Times|accessdate=2008-08-28] He made his Madison Square Garden debut on Friday, February 24th when the New York Knicks faced the New Jersey Nets, and scored 16 points in a 94-90 loss for the Knicks. He wore jersey #1 with the Knicks as his usual #3 was already assigned to Stephon Marbury. Francis has endured a recurring injury, tendinitis in his right knee, and as a result began the 2006-07 season averaging only 11.3 ppg, as opposed to his career 18.4 ppg. He returned on February 10, 2007 vs the Utah Jazz. On March 10th, Francis hit a game-winning 3-pointer at the buzzer against the Washington Wizards, ending one of his best games as a Knick in front of his hometown. On 2007 draft night, June 28, the Knicks traded Francis and Channing Frye to the Portland Trail Blazers for Zach Randolph, Dan Dickau, and Fred Jones, [cite web|url=http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=2919929|title=Randolph heading to Knicks, Francis shipped to Blazers in draft-day trade|last=Marc Stein|date=2007-06-29|publisher=ESPN|accessdate=2008-08-29] who then bought out the remaining two years of Francis's contract for a reported $30 million, making him an unrestricted free agent.cite web|url=http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=2942354|title=Francis' deal with Rockets worth $6 million|author=Chris Broussard|date=2007-07-19|publisher=ESPN|accessdate=2008-08-29]

Return to Houston (2007—)

The Miami Heat, Dallas Mavericks, Houston Rockets, and the L.A. Clippers pursued Francis. On July 20, Francis chose the Rockets; signing a two-year $6 million contract with them, although the Heat offered the most money. However, he has failed to make Rick Adelman's rotation coming out of the preseason. He averaged 5.5 points and 3 assists in ten games before undergoing season-ending surgery stemming from an earlier left quadriceps tendon injury. [cite web|url=http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=3235647|title=Rockets' Francis to have season-ending knee surgery|last=Associated Press|date=2008-02-07|publisher=ESPN|accessdate=2008-08-29]

Francis has also publicly said that he plans to use his contract option to come back to the Houston Rockets for the 2008–09 NBA season.Right now he has lost 15 pounds when using his contract for training camp but he won't be able to play in the begining of the season because his injury would take 4-6 weeks to be 100% ready to play. [cite web|url=http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/bk/bkn/5593170.html|title=Rockets notes: T-Mac criticizes Nowitzki's flagrant foul|date=2008-03-05|work=Houston Chronicle|accessdate=2008-08-29]

Trivia

Francis stands as one of only four players in NBA history (Oscar Robertson, Magic Johnson, and Grant Hill)to average at least 15 points, five rebounds, and five assists in each of their first six seasons.cite web|url=http://www.usatoday.com/sports/basketball/nba/rockets/2003-02-04-cover-francis_x.htm|title=Francis has Rockets soaring|last=David DuPree|date=2003-02-04|work=USA Today|accessdate=2008-08-29] Was reported to have a 43 inch vertical leap.cite web|url=http://www.nytimes.com/2006/03/01/sports/basketball/01francis.html?_r=1&oref=slogin|title=As Francis Starts Over, Knicks Seem a Good Fit |last=Howard Beck|date=2006-03-01|work=New York Times|accessdate=2008-08-29] He appeared in the 2002 basketball comedy "Like Mike" in the credits and a part of the Slam Dunk Contest.

NBA career statistics

Regular season

-
align="left" | 1999–00
align="left" | Houston
77 || 77 || 36.1 || .445 || .345 || .786 || 5.3 || 6.6 || 1.5 || .4 || 18.0
-
align="left" | 2000–01
align="left" | Houston
80 || 79 || 39.9 || .451 || .396 || .817 || 6.9 || 6.5 || 1.8 || .4 || 19.9
-
align="left" | 2001–02
align="left" | Houston
57 || 56 || 41.1 || .417 || .324 || .773 || 7.0 || 6.4 || 1.2 || .4 || 21.6
-
align="left" | 2002–03
align="left" | Houston
81 || 81 || 41.0 || .435 || .354 || .800 || 6.2 || 6.2 || 1.7 || .5 || 21.0
-
align="left" | 2003–04
align="left" | Houston
79 || 79 || 40.4 || .403 || .292 || .775 || 5.5 || 6.2 || 1.8 || .4 || 16.6
-
align="left" | 2004–05
align="left" | Orlando
78 || 78 || 38.2 || .423 || .299 || .823 || 5.8 || 7.0 || 1.4 || .4 || 21.3
-
align="left" | 2005–06
align="left" | Orlando
46 || 45 || 37.7 || .433 || .257 || .797 || 4.8 || 5.7 || 1.1 || .2 || 16.2
-
align="left" | 2005–06
align="left" | New York
24 || 15 || 27.5 || .442 || .538 || .761 || 3.0 || 3.5 || 1.0 || .2 || 10.8
-
align="left" | 2006–07
align="left" | New York
44 || 30 || 28.1 || .408 || .378 || .829 || 3.6 || 3.9 || .9 || .3 || 11.3
-
align="left" | 2007–08
align="left" | Houston
10 || 3 || 19.9 || .333 || .235 || .565 || 2.3 || 3.0 || .9 || .5 || 5.5
-
align="left" | Career
align="left" |
576 || 543 || 37.6 || .429 || .341 || .797 || 5.6 || 6.0 || 1.5 || .3 || 18.1
-
align="left" | All-Star
align="left" |
3 || 3 || 24.3 || .552 || .500 || .500 || 2.7 || 5.3 || .7 || .0 || 12.0
###@@@KEYEND@@@###

Playoffs

-
align="left" | 2003–04
align="left" | Houston
5 || 5 || 44.4 || .429 || .412 || .725 || 8.4 || 7.6 || 1.4 || .2 || 19.2
-
align="left" | Career
align="left" |
5 || 5 || 44.4 || .429 || .412 || .725 || 8.4 || 7.6 || 1.4 || .2 || 19.2
###@@@KEYEND@@@###

References

External links

* [http://www.nba.com/playerfile/steve_francis/ NBA.com profile]
* [http://www.clutchfans.net/players/steve_francis/ ClutchFans.net Steve Francis Profile] - Houston Rocket Fan Site