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Francis is happy to be back in Houston after three seasons
Damien Pierce
Rockets.com Staff Writer
HOUSTON -- Nearly eight minutes into the Rockets' first preseason game at Toyota Center, Steve Francis pulled off his warmups and checked into the game.
He was immediately met by a standing ovation.
"Believe me, I was about to cry," Francis joked.
Francis may have been able to keep his emotions under control on Thursday night. But without question, the veteran guard is happy to be back in Houston.
After three seasons in Orlando and New York, the three-time All-Star has rejoined his former team and is hoping his return will rekindle the game that once made him one of the league's most explosive offensive players.
He is competing with Rafer Alston and Mike James for playing time at point guard, but his ability to score in bunches and attack the rim could yield him minutes at the off-guard position. Francis showed as much Thursday night, logging his most productive game of the preseason with 11 points and four assists in 20 minutes.
But for Francis, the most important thing is that he's back in Houston.
"It's like a dream come true to come back where you started your career," Francis said. "It feels good to be in Houston. I've been treated well by the fans and it just feels right to be playing here."
Francis never felt that comfortable in Orlando or New York.
Despite welcoming a trade to Orlando in 2004, Francis was soon disappointed with the move after the Magic traded his close friend and teammate, Cuttino Mobley. He eventually didn't see eye-to-eye with then-Orlando coach Brian Hill and was traded to New York in 2005. With the Knicks, Francis never gelled with Stephon Marbury in the backcourt. He averaged 11.3 points per game in his final season with New York, dealing with injuries throughout the season.
During the 2007 NBA Draft, the Knicks traded the veteran guard to Portland. Soon after he was released by the Blazers, giving him the chance to return to Houston.
Now, Francis hopes he can pick up where he left off with the Rockets. He averaged at least 20 points in two of his five seasons in Houston. However, he isn't worried about proving to his critics that he hasn't lost a step since leaving town.
"I definitely played what I thought was some good basketball here," Francis said. "But I don't want to try to prove anything to anybody other than my teammates. I just want to play the game the right way. I want to win some significant games."
Francis believes he's healthy.
After spending the summer working out in New Orleans, he's confident that his left knee is fine. Francis missed 38 games last season with knee tendinitis.
His teammates still see a player capable of getting to the bucket.
"He's coming around," Alston said. "He has a tough situation with his knee. But I don't think we expect him to be Steve from his rookie years, when he was high-flying. We just want him to come in, play his part and give us a lift whenever he can."
What will that role be?
So far, Francis has come off the bench in the Rockets' first two preseason games. He has shared time with both James and Alston in the backcourt, which has allowed him to use his quickness against bigger shooting guards. But of course, he's also comfortable running the offense at point guard.
Francis said he'd welcome any role, but he definitely wants to be on the floor.
"I want to be a very important asset to this team," Francis said. "I want to help push some of the buttons."
Judging by his reception on Friday night, fans would like to see the same from him. Francis spent most of Thursday's pregame waving to fans who
were welcoming him back to town. Then, he got the ovation as soon as his name was announced over the public address system.
Francis felt at home.
"It was unbelievable," Francis said. "I really appreciated it."
