Steve Francis

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Francis was selected second in the 1999 NBA draft by the Vancouver Grizzlies but was traded before the 1999–2000 season began to the Houston Rockets in a three-team, 11-player deal. Though Francis shared Rookie of the Year honors with Elton Brand and finished as runner-up to Vince Carter in the 2000 Slam Dunk Contest, the Rockets finished the season with a 34–48 record. The next season, the Rockets improved to 45–37 but still missed the playoffs. In his third season, Francis was chosen by fans to start the 2002 NBA All-Star Game, but ended up playing only 55 games due to a foot injury and recurring Ménière's-induced migraines. As a result, the Rockets posted a dismal 28–54 record, landing them into the lottery, where they selected 7'6" Chinese center Yao Ming with the first pick in the 2002 NBA Draft. Francis and Yao gelled their first season together, and were selected as 2003 NBA All-Star Game starters. Francis scored a career-high 44 points in a nationally televised home win against the Los Angeles Lakers on January 17, 2003. The team went 43–39, again missing the playoffs.

In Their Own Story

Rockets head coach Rudy Tomjanovich stepped down in 2003, and the team selected ex-New York Knicks coach Jeff Van Gundy as his successor. Van Gundy's coaching style did not fit Francis's style of play. Even though Francis made the All-Star game for a third straight year his stats declined in 2003–04, dropping from 21.0 PPG, 6.2 RPG, and 6.2 APG to 16.6 PPG, 5.5 RPG, and 6.2 APG. The Rockets, however, made the playoffs for the first time since 1999, which would be Francis's only postseason experience. Despite his averaging 19.2 ppg, 8.4 rpg, and 7.6 apg, the Rockets lost to the heavily favored Los Angeles Lakers in five games. As Francis's relationship with Van Gundy deteriorated it was apparent that the Rockets wanted to go in a different direction. While the coach sought to focus the team's offense on Yao Ming, the Rockets ended up trading Francis, along with his best friend on the team, Cuttino Mobley, as well as Kelvin Cato, for Tracy McGrady, Juwan Howard, Tyronn Lue, and Reece Gaines. During Francis's first tenure in Houston, he averaged 19.3 points, 6.4 assists, 6.1 rebounds, and 1.63 steals in 374 games (372 starts).

Reader's Guide

During his first tenure in Houston, Francis averaged 19.3 points, 6.4 assists, 6.1 rebounds, and 1.63 steals in 374 games (372 starts). He was a three-time NBA All-Star while playing for the Rockets. He was known for his crossover dribble, driving ability, and flashy dunks. He scored a career-high 44 points in a nationally televised home win against the Los Angeles Lakers on January 17, 2003. Francis and Yao Ming were selected as 2003 NBA All-Star Game starters. Francis's only postseason experience came in 2003–04, when the Rockets lost to the heavily favored Los Angeles Lakers in five games; he averaged 19.2 ppg, 8.4 rpg, and 7.6 apg in that series.

Did You Know?

• Francis was selected with the second overall pick of the 1999 NBA draft, not the fourth.
• He was named co-NBA Rookie of the Year along with Elton Brand in his first season.
• Francis scored a career-high 44 points in a nationally televised home win against the Los Angeles Lakers on January 17, 2003.
• He was traded from the Rockets to the Orlando Magic in a deal that brought Tracy McGrady to Houston.
• Francis wore jersey #1 with the New York Knicks because his usual #3 was already assigned to Stephon Marbury.