Steve Francis: Overrated or Underrated

[htownborn]

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 feel he was sort of underrated in a way. 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. So what does everyone think was Francis overrated, underrated, fine as is?

Edited September 3, 2010 by htownborn

[Multi-Billionaire]

He's nowhere underrated... but he was a pretty effective player in terms of getting it done when he was a Rocket.

 

I'm still a bit puzzled as to why he disappeared into thin air... it's not like he was decimated by injuries? And in his first year in Orlando, he was still an All Star I believe?

[Nitro]

I'm still a bit puzzled as to why he disappeared into thin air... it's not like he was decimated by injuries? And in his first year in Orlando, he was still an All Star I believe?

 

He was decimated by injuries, knee injuries if I recall correctly.

 

IMO he's underrated now that people think guys like him and Marbury were the devil, but back in the day he was a bit overrated. In all honesty, he was a slightly smaller, more flashy/selfish version of Derrick Rose (with a better 3pt shot but less reliable midrange game). Extremely explosive, great crossover, amazing rebounder for a guard, and at times could look like the best player on the floor. But he had the same issue many great guards of the early '00's; he was only effective when he was pounding and pounding and pounding the ball for over half the shot clock, and he liked to do that far too often. He also had some attitude problems, but not nearly to the extent of, say Stephon Marbury.

 

Also, if anyone truly believes he and Yao would have accomplished more (or even as much) as T-Mac and Yao did, you're absolutely nuts. On the court Yao benefited a lot more from T-Mac's game than Francis'. And all those years Yao was missing half the season, T-Mac could run and lead the Rockets so, so much better than Francis ever could.

[*Swish*]

He's overrated 2009 live lol BIG TIME lol he makes 720 dunks!

[Guru]

He's overrated 2009 live lol BIG TIME lol he makes 720 dunks!

That adds so much to the conversation, you have no idea.

[JYD]

He was neither. In his prime when he was healthy, he was pretty disgusting, and everyone knew he was good. No one was underrating, but I don't think many were crowing him the GOAT either.

[htownborn]

He was decimated by injuries, knee injuries if I recall correctly.

 

IMO he's underrated now that people think guys like him and Marbury were the devil, but back in the day he was a bit overrated. In all honesty, he was a slightly smaller, more flashy/selfish version of Derrick Rose (with a better 3pt shot but less reliable midrange game). Extremely explosive, great crossover, amazing rebounder for a guard, and at times could look like the best player on the floor. But he had the same issue many great guards of the early '00's; he was only effective when he was pounding and pounding and pounding the ball for over half the shot clock, and he liked to do that far too often. He also had some attitude problems, but not nearly to the extent of, say Stephon Marbury.

 

Also, if anyone truly believes he and Yao would have accomplished more (or even as much) as T-Mac and Yao did, you're absolutely nuts. On the court Yao benefited a lot more from T-Mac's game than Francis'. And all those years Yao was missing half the season, T-Mac could run and lead the Rockets so, so much better than Francis ever could.

 

If you were refering to me about Francis and Yao having more success than Yao and T-Mac then you completely misunderstand what I was saying. I was saying I would have loved to see Francis and Yao grow and play longer together and see what they could have accomplished. I'm not blamming T-Mac for the Rockets not getting any further than the 1st round with him and Yao. Injury's played a big part in both of their games together.

[YugoRocketsFan]

Neither overrated or underrated, definitely not underrated because he was a pretty known players and was given credit for being good @ the time. I also think he isnt overrated because well everyone critcizes him, says he was just a ballhog, and cancer but that wasnt the case, he was doing great for the Rockets right before he got traded and did WELL in the playoffs vs the Lakers. Im in the middle but sadly there is no poll choice for that.

[Newman]

He might be overrated in China in his days with Yao but anywhere else I don't think he is overrated, or underrated for that matter. He can score, no doubt, and the general public regarded him as a legit scorer. I think that impression of him fits quite well.

[fish7718]

That adds so much to the conversation, you have no idea.

I was actually going to ask how many dunks he had in that game, thats how I judge players.