Ex-NBA superstar Steve Francis was arrested for drunk driving in Houston over the weekend ... and cops say he was a pain in the ass during the bust.
The former Houston Rockets star was initially pulled over on Saturday for doing 88 in a 65 around 11:20 PM -- but during the stop, cops noticed he reeked of booze.
Cops say the 39-year-old refused a field sobriety test -- and more cops were called to the scene because Francis was uncooperative.
He was eventually taken into custody and charged with DWI, possession of weed and retaliation.