"Let me say this: Players on the team not only represent the NBA, but they represent USA Basketball and the United States," said Stu Jackson as chair of the Goodwill Games Selection Committee, according to Jonathan Feigen of the Houston Chronicle. "It is very important how they represent each on an international stage such as this."  Considering that Francis has been the ultimate nice-guy since arriving in Houston, this must be payback for the way he forced Vancouver to trade him to Houston in the first place.