January 12, 2006

Steve Francis Suspended : Steve Francis is off the team for an undetermined amount of time. Wonder what he did? I know he never wanted to go to Orlando to begin with, but what's his deal?

posted by Bill Lumbergh to basketball at 05:13 PM - 23 comments

This is yet another case of an overpaid player looking a gift horse in the mouth. He's been suspended and fined numerous times over the last few years. He's an idiot who is going to ruin his career...poor baby!

posted by jusafan at 05:38 PM on January 12, 2006

Some were wondering if Philadelphia set a precedent in suspending (the one we don't speak of) indefinitely....

posted by sumokenobi at 05:55 PM on January 12, 2006

This is another sad example of a pampered athlete who always expects to be more important than the team! It had to be a serious infraction to be susupended for an undetermined amount of time...hello, T.O.

posted by bear-man at 06:26 PM on January 12, 2006

shouldn't we suspend judgment at least until we know what happened?

posted by ninjavshippo at 06:29 PM on January 12, 2006

ninjavshippo is correct, but I am still going to use this thread to say that Steve Francis is the only former Maryland Terrapin I never liked. I was so glad he left school early before the team won the national championship in 2002.

posted by scully at 06:33 PM on January 12, 2006

People are so quick to believe the worst in athletes that they're condemning Francis without even knowing what he did! It's like betting your favorite team will win the World Series because they traded for player to be named later. Prior to this, Francis was cleaning up his act with an eye towards making the 2008 Olympic team, the Orlando Sentinel reported in December.

posted by rcade at 07:31 PM on January 12, 2006

He's been playing some good ball this year. Assists numbers are way up and he's finally showing some deference to an overall offensive scheme. Sad to see him gone but hopefully it paves the way for a trade to Minnesota. Or something. I'm pretty curious to hear what's going on though. The Magic are mum but how much longer will Francis keep quiet?

posted by panoptican at 07:42 PM on January 12, 2006

he really never wanted to leave houston hes been meserble since hes also problaay not happy being point guard also his team is losin good luck on ever being on a winning franchise

posted by Barry-from-H-town at 07:45 PM on January 12, 2006

I'll take him on the Lakers in a heartbeat. I liked him just fine at Maryland- he played out of his mind. He did highlight one of the few flaws in Gary Williams' coaching approach- his stubborn insistence that a point guard is not a "real" point or is somehow not playing the position right if he scores points. I certainly preferred watching him over Steve Blake's "nightly fiesta of forced bounce passes into the post."

posted by drjimmy11 at 07:48 PM on January 12, 2006

no way, drjimmy11. he still needs to dominate the ball to be effective, and w/ kobe and lamar both needing the ball to create most of their offense, there's not enough ball to go around. they need someone more like earl watson or t.j. ford: pass first, shoot second. the former plays legit D, which they need as well.

posted by ninjavshippo at 08:24 PM on January 12, 2006

I'll admit I'm predisposed against him ever since the day he got drafted by Vancouver and pouted his way out of that franchise. I've never been impressed with his playing style, and he's always come off as a selfish prick, even by NBA standards. That said, I don't know everything that's happened here, and I've resolved to kick people when they're down a little less this year, so I'll reserve judgement until the truth comes out about whatever happened.

posted by chicobangs at 08:44 PM on January 12, 2006

Kick away, chico ... I believe it was George Carlin who said, "Is there ever a better time to kick a man than when he's already down?" As for Francis, I'm curious to see what led to the suspension, but if it's for reasonable, uhhh, reasons, I'd like to see them just sit his ass on the bench for the remainder of the year, or just tell him to pack up and go home.

posted by wfrazerjr at 10:23 PM on January 12, 2006

It never seems to amaze me how we never liked someone that we do not even know.Pippen refused and this did not come up. What allstar has ever been asked to go in the game down by 15 with three left on the clock?If I am correct this man went to jr.coll. and showed out! Came to the ACC and showed out and then went to the NBA. Every player in the NBA is pampered by the fan.Your payment of tickets indicate it!!Bo Jackson refused to play for the 'bucks,Kobe for Charlotte and many others that have talent beyond the dedication of the team admin.

posted by AASR-AF&AM at 12:39 AM on January 13, 2006

wasn't Kobe traded on draft day?

posted by scottyooooo at 07:18 AM on January 13, 2006

Francis for Artest, straight up

posted by mike goodman at 10:06 AM on January 13, 2006

Francis for Artest, straight up Two wrongs don't make a right.

posted by Bill Lumbergh at 10:16 AM on January 13, 2006

yeah, kobe was traded for vlade... what are you talking about aasr?

posted by ninjavshippo at 11:47 AM on January 13, 2006

Doesn't it say right in the article that he refused to re-enter a game?? That's enough reason to suspend him for me... So, the Magic traded McGrady for Francis - Unhappy soon to be gone, Mobley - In Sacramento for Christie who is no longer with the Magic, and Kelvin Cato - Sucks (3 RPG.). Can we offically start calling that the worst trade in basketball?? As a magic fan, I'm just shaking my head wondering how this team can get any worse.... That said, if Francis want to play the buttheadd, he can do it in his own living room.

posted by LostInDaJungle at 12:08 PM on January 13, 2006

I thought they all wanted more playing time.

posted by irunfromclones at 01:57 PM on January 13, 2006

Stevie (franchise) always wanted to go to Orlando, what he said was that he did not want to leave Houston. Steve refused to go back in the game, He is still the third best point guard in the leagu, and one of the premiere top 25 players in the league. By the time this kid gets old enough to retire, I guarantee he will be considered one of the best of all time.

posted by buettner09 at 05:03 PM on January 13, 2006

i almost pooped my pants when i read buettner saying that he was the third best PG in the league. here's 8 guys off the top of my head who are better than steve francis AI wade jason kidd gilbert arenas steve nash chauncey billups stephon marbury tony parker i'm sure there are others too.

posted by ninjavshippo at 12:40 PM on January 14, 2006

well francis always a crybaby but he got game we forget we all human he just pissed off they were losing and he says wats the pt playing wont help them for 3 more minutes so fuck everyone on francis ass

posted by defrag3x at 01:41 PM on January 15, 2006

Third behind wade and arenas, right? Makes sense.

posted by Hugh Janus at 11:35 AM on January 17, 2006

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