NBA: "Stevie Franchise" Lives Up To His Moniker

By Bill Ingram Sports Central Columnist

Steve Francis got off to an inauspicious start when he began his NBA career by announcing he would not play for the team that drafted him, the Vancouver Grizzlies.

Steve wanted to start and he wanted to be a point guard, but Vancouver already had Mike Bibby firmly slated as their starting point guard. As a result, the Grizzlies traded Francis to the Houston Rockets in what was, at the time, the largest deal in NBA history.

Orlando finally had to be involved in the deal to make all of the cap numbers work. No matter how he got to Houston, though, the Rockets were pleased with the young man and Steve began to change minds all over the NBA with his stellar play.

It didn't take long for NBA fans to forget Francis' draft day antics. The minute he stepped on an NBA hardwood, he began to show that he was something special. As a rookie, Steve averaged 18 points, 6.6 assists, 5.3 rebounds, and 1.53 steals per game, earning him the Rookie of the Year Award, which he shared with Chicago's Elton Brand.

Francis also amazed the crowd at the NBA's Slam Dunk Competition, as he showed off his 36" vertical leap and only lost the competition because it was already in Vince Carter's pocket. Francis was not satisfied with his rookie accomplishments, though, and spent the summer preparing to be even better.

Steve told us at Media Day in Houston that he wanted to be the best defensive player in the league. He spent the entire summer playing ball anywhere he could get a game (he played in a D.C. summer league with Cuttino Mobley and Moochie Norris and scored 54 points in a game), just so he could work on his game. All of that work and that determination have paid off.

Steve Francis is currently the only player ever to lead his team in points, assists, rebounds, and steals. It has never been done, but Steve is making it look easy night in and night out. So far this season, "The Franchise" is averaging 19 points (second among NBA sophomores), 6.3 assists (thirteenth in the NBA, first among sophomores), 6.6 rebounds (the only guard with more is Orlando's Tracy McGrady), and 2.0 steals (eighth in the league) per game.

Steve has also been blocking a lot of shots lately, and with Hakeem and Kelvin Cato spending extended amounts of time on the injured list, he may soon lead the Rockets in that category, too.

Steve Francis and Cuttino Mobley are the NBA's most prolific back court duo. Every night is a highlight film between the two of them, even when the team loses. It has become clear that if the Rockets can put a healthy big man in the lineup with these two, the Rockets will be tough to stop. The heart and soul of the team if Steve Francis, who truly is "The Franchise."

Article courtesy of Sports Central