Steve Francis or Stevie Franchise was known for his killer crossovers and high-light real dunks. Some would almost forget that Francis was at one time considered a top 5 Point Gaurd in the league before he was traded to the Magic. And because of his downfall in Orlando alot of people would consider Francise overrated. As a Rocket fan I loved having Francis as a Rocket he was entertaining and a very solid player but at the same time I can get why some would consider him overrated but I fell he was sort of underrated in a way. So I will write a summary about his NBA carrer and decide whether or not I felt he was overrated or underrated.
Steve Francis was drafted 2nd overall by the Vancouver Grizzles in 1999 and traded to the Houston Rockets the same year before the season started. He shared the Rookie of the Year award with Elton Brand, was runner up in the 2000 slam dunk contest, and earned invitations to the 2002,2003, and 2004 NBA All-Star games. Francis averaged 19.3 points, 6.4 assists, 6.1 rebounds, and 1.63 steals and helped lead the Rockets to the playoffs once during his first run with the Houston. In the off-season of 2004 Francis was traded to the Orlando Magic with Cuttino Mobley and Kelvin Cato for Tracy McGrady, Tyronn Lue, Juwan Howard, and Reece Gaines. Francis was very upset with the trade but sort of got over it in the beginning of the season. Francis started off pretty hot with the Magic early during the 2004-2005 season, but cooled down and falling short of the playoffs. During Francis time with the Magic he averaged 18.75 points, 6.35 assists, 5.3 rebounds, and 1.25 steals . In February of 2006 The Magic traded a very unhappy Steve Francis to the New York Knicks where he put up some of the worst numbers of his carrer averging 11.5 points, 3.7 assists, 3.45 rebounds, and .95 steals. During the 2007 draft Francis was yet again traded, this time to the Portland TrailBlazers along with Channing Frye for Zach Randolph, Dan Dickau, and Fred Jones, who then bought out his contract thus making him an unrestricted free agent. Francis then returned to Houston signing a 2 year contract with the Rockets. However the return was short lived as Francis only played 10 games during the 2007-2008 season averging 5.5 points, 3 assists, 2.3 rebounds, and .9 steals, the worst stats in his NBA carrer. He was then once again traded for a final time to the team that ironically drafted him the Memphis Grizzles for a second round draft pick. Francis was then waived by the Grizzles in January of 2009 and is currently with no team at the moment. So far in his Francis's carrer he has averged 18.1 points, 6 assists, 5.6 rebounds, and 1.5 steals, is a 3 time All-Star, has only been in the playoffs once in his carrer. So what does everyone think was Francis overrated, underrated, fine as is?
Overall I look at Steve Francis's carrer I look at him as a Derrick Rose with the wrong mind-set, very good player and had alot of potential to be one of the best PG's today but had sort of a selfish attitude which really messed his carrer up. I would have really liked to see Francis and Yao grow together more and see if they could have been a good duo over the years and maybe make a run to the Finals. So I would say he's fine where he is, even though Francis only been to the playoffs once he did put up good numbers early in his carrer as Rocket, but the trade to Orlando and his attitude did really mess up his carrer.
Steve Francis was drafted 2nd overall by the Vancouver Grizzles in 1999 and traded to the Houston Rockets the same year before the season started. He shared the Rookie of the Year award with Elton Brand, was runner up in the 2000 slam dunk contest, and earned invitations to the 2002,2003, and 2004 NBA All-Star games. Francis averaged 19.3 points, 6.4 assists, 6.1 rebounds, and 1.63 steals and helped lead the Rockets to the playoffs once during his first run with the Houston. In the off-season of 2004 Francis was traded to the Orlando Magic with Cuttino Mobley and Kelvin Cato for Tracy McGrady, Tyronn Lue, Juwan Howard, and Reece Gaines. Francis was very upset with the trade but sort of got over it in the beginning of the season. Francis started off pretty hot with the Magic early during the 2004-2005 season, but cooled down and falling short of the playoffs. During Francis time with the Magic he averaged 18.75 points, 6.35 assists, 5.3 rebounds, and 1.25 steals . In February of 2006 The Magic traded a very unhappy Steve Francis to the New York Knicks where he put up some of the worst numbers of his carrer averging 11.5 points, 3.7 assists, 3.45 rebounds, and .95 steals. During the 2007 draft Francis was yet again traded, this time to the Portland TrailBlazers along with Channing Frye for Zach Randolph, Dan Dickau, and Fred Jones, who then bought out his contract thus making him an unrestricted free agent. Francis then returned to Houston signing a 2 year contract with the Rockets. However the return was short lived as Francis only played 10 games during the 2007-2008 season averging 5.5 points, 3 assists, 2.3 rebounds, and .9 steals, the worst stats in his NBA carrer. He was then once again traded for a final time to the team that ironically drafted him the Memphis Grizzles for a second round draft pick. Francis was then waived by the Grizzles in January of 2009 and is currently with no team at the moment. So far in his Francis's carrer he has averged 18.1 points, 6 assists, 5.6 rebounds, and 1.5 steals, is a 3 time All-Star, has only been in the playoffs once in his carrer. So what does everyone think was Francis overrated, underrated, fine as is?
Overall I look at Steve Francis's carrer I look at him as a Derrick Rose with the wrong mind-set, very good player and had alot of potential to be one of the best PG's today but had sort of a selfish attitude which really messed his carrer up. I would have really liked to see Francis and Yao grow together more and see if they could have been a good duo over the years and maybe make a run to the Finals. So I would say he's fine where he is, even though Francis only been to the playoffs once he did put up good numbers early in his carrer as Rocket, but the trade to Orlando and his attitude did really mess up his carrer.
