For the Magic fan, Saturday night was a roller coaster of emotions. There was frustration from how poorly the offense was
playing. There was the excitement of a come-from-behind victory. And there was the relief that the Magic somehow pulled that
game out.
But, what drove that game, and what has also driven the results of the season thus far, was the play of
Steve Francis.
At the end of the game,
Steve Francis was the Steve-O of old. He was aggressive and more
importantly he took control of the game and led the Magic to a victory. The first part of the game, Francis looked out of sync,
still rusty from his suspension, and was forcing his offensive play.
Francis's career with the Magic has been muddled by inconsistent play and his seemingly always negative attitude towards
playing with the franchise. When he first arrived, his level of aggression and ability to lead the team was a positive that led
the Magic to a great start. But soon, the honeymoon ended and his poor play, poor leadership, and his emotions led the Magic to
a collapse.
While the defense has gotten a lot better, the Magic have been missing the stability on offense they have to demand from
their superstar player. The plan that the Magic started the season with was to have
Grant Hill and
Steve Francis hold the team together while
Dwight Howard got ready to take it over.
The season started with a renewed focus on getting Howard the ball, but Francis is still the key component to the
offense's success. He has failed miserably at this role. In Francis's entire career he has only averaged fewer points once: his
final season in Houston when Jeff Van Gundy told Francis to slow down and give the ball to Yao. That was the only season he made
the playoffs. But, he did have a good shooter in
Cuttino Mobley and a more developed Yao Ming to play with. While
Francis appears to be shooting the ball better than he did last year, there is a clear difference between his play between this
year and last.
Francis is simply forcing his offense too much and it is hurting the Magic. Saturday night's game crystallized the
problem with Francis. It is almost like Francis doesn't have a plan when he decides to drive the ball into the lane. He ends up
forcing up a shot or jumps into the air and forces a pass.
This is just not an effective way to play offense.
Coming out of the suspension, many fans were calling for
Steve Francis to be traded. There may not be a better time to make the
trade, but his trade value is at an all-time low.
To those around the NBA, Francis is a ticking time bomb. He is recognized around the league as the loose cannon who led
the league in technical fouls, cursed on national television during a halftime interview, and kicked a courtside photographer.
But like Ron Artest, Francis is a player that can play aggressive, enthusiastic basketball that can energize teams to success.
The Magic have had to deal with this problem since acquiring Francis. Francis has been energizing and emotional,
injecting the Magic with the enthusiasm on the court that the blase
Tracy McGrady couldn't give. But he has also been inconsistent and
mistake prone, something that is simply unacceptable from your leader on the floor.
Steve Francis will be traded. It may not be in February, but
Franics's time in a Magic uniform is quickly coming to an end.
Steve Francis's inconsistent play is finally catching up with him.
Dwight Howard is the future of this team and he needs the
ball. For Francis to be successful in his play, he has to have the ball in his hands and the go-ahead from the coaches to drive
to the basket and try to force some offense. The Magic need to head in another direction to be successful this season and in the
long run.
Jameer Nelson has demanded the starting position from him.
While Nelson doesn't have the speed, size, or strength to defend the best point guards in the NBA yet, he has shown that he is
going to produce points for himself and for others in head coach
Brian Hill's offense.
Who do the Magic trade Steve Francis for and how much value
does
Steve Francis have? It is anyone's guess. But, the Magic have to begin
preparing for their future with
Dwight Howard and
Steve Francis is simply not in those plans.
