[Highlight] Steve Francis toys with Jason Terry (2003).
Stevie Franchise.
Such a top tier nickname
He was fun for a stretch but it didn’t really jibe with someone who won one playoff game and was traded shortly after being extended.
t-mac basically cleared him when he came anyway
Is this nickname a reference to something? Or is it just because ‘franchise’ sounds like ‘Francis’?
Always felt like I’m missing a pop culture reference whenever I see people saying this is their favorite nickname.
It’s basically just a play on his name, there isn’t a pop culture reference you’re missing. Jim Rome is generally credited with popularising “Stevie Franchise”.
Houston acquired him as a rookie in 1999 and he immediately looked like the guy they were going to build around. He shared Rookie of the Year, then became a three-time All-Star and at his peak was basically a 20/6/6 point guard.
Funnily enough Houston eventually traded him for TMac in 2004, but around 2000–03 Steve really was considered the Rockets’ franchise player.
Great explanation.
I wouldn’t credit Rome for the nickname.
Everyone called him that when he was at the University of Maryland.
The rest, I agree with 100%. He was an explosive athlete.
Thanks. Idk why I was getting downvoted, it was a real question.
From what I could tell it’s a mixture of his name, the next star in Houston after Hakeem, the whole fuck Vancouver thing, and just being irrationally confident and mostly backing it up
As a life long Hartford Whalers/Carolina Hurricanes enjoyer, this is nickname infringement.
He coulda easily drove in for a high percentage basket after demolishing JT’s ankles, but still insisted on a flashy lower percentage turnaround off the backboard, just to throw salt in the wound.
Respect
One of the greatest shot blockers of all time was behind Terry, ready to protect the rim. So I don’t think Francis was doing that just to rub salt in the wound.
Damn that’s a good observation - didn’t see Mt Mutombo back there, though I’d also debate whether Stevie cared about challenging him anyway
But yea I’d steer clear of that finger wag too
lol Stevie was a confident guy. There’s some merit to your point.
I know that if it were me and I already had the highlight play, I’d steer clear of the finger wag too. Trying to top it off by beating Dikiembe Mutumbo at the rim would be one of those moments where I’m flying too close to the sun.
I could see Marbury pulling that shit lol
lol That’s Beijing Duck legend Marbury to you.
2003 aka 1992 based on the quality of the footage, lol.
2003 just looks better in your head
I watch the league in 2003. I have no memory of jerseys being so baggy
The post analog early digital era is such a shame
Rudy T on auto pilot for a few years back then just running non stop isos for Francis, Cat Mobley and Mo Taylor. The Beautiful Game.
Don’t forget afroman Moochie Norris hitting corner 3s and Eddie Griffin playing stretch 4 before stretch 4s became big
I can just feel him calling glass when that foot comes up
Francis was so good
Making it look good used to be so important in these player discussions
I can see where he got that The Jet nickname from
Terry looks like he gave up at the end
Underated.
loved Steve francis, still have his jersey
I modeled alot of my game after Stevie Franchise growing up, and it showed. Coaches weren’t always thrilled, but I got buckets lol
2⁄13 huh
Wish him and Yao got a couple more years together to try and figure things out. Always thought they played the 3-peat lakers fairly well disregarding the 4-1 outcome of that series.
When I was a kid during this era I didn’t give a damn if a player was winning games or not, I was just a fan of flashy players like Stevie Franchise.
Steve Francis was A PROBLEM!