Houston Rockets: Top 15 Greatest All-Time (6-10)

Jun 2, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Rockets former player Steve Francis throws out the ceremonial first pitch before the Houston Astros played the Baltimore Orioles Steve at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Thomas B. Shea-USA TODAY Sports

10. Steve “Franchise” Francis

As I grew up first getting into the sport of basketball, the player I wanted to build my game around was Steve Francis. In six seasons in a Rockets jersey, Francis averaged 19 points per game, 6.3 assists and 6 rebounds per game.

The way the NBA is so point guard driven in today’s game, I have no doubt he would thrive in today’s NBA. The Rockets never put much around him until they drafted Yao Ming in 2002, so Francis never accomplished much in Houston. He won the Rookie of the Year award in 2000 and also made the three All-Star teams. 

What most fans remember Francis for, however, is his his falling out with the Rockets coaching staff — particularly Jeff Van Gundy — which ultimately led to his trade to Orlando (which brought in Tracy McGrady). Still, Francis comes in at #10 based on his skill-set alone. There is no doubt in my mind if he had more talent around him, and perhaps better coaching, he might have been higher on this list.

His career wasn’t quite the same after leaving the Rockets, not ever achieving the high-level of play that he instituted when he was floor-general. But if you’d like a playbook on how to get paid immensely without doing a damn thing, just look at Francis.

Back in 2007, after being traded by the New York Knicks to the Portland Trail Blazers, he was waived shortly thereafter coupled with a $34 million buyout of the final two years of his contract. The Blazers were, at the time, focused on building around Zach Randolph and Greg Oden as a team of the future. But we all know how that worked out.

Touche, Stevie…touche!

Next: CLICK HERE for #9.: Mr. Consistency