Why did he do a NBA.com TV interview at two in the morning last night? The studio is located in New Jersey if I am not mistaken so I know that he couldn't of done it in Boston. And as a matter of fact, they talked about the loss to Boston and how Steve better start warming up for the game at New Jersey seeing as how it was only a few hours away. I don't know if it his youthful charisma or what, but if I was Steve and I felt like I was coming down with something, I sure as hell wouldn't be doing a interview during the wee-hours of the morning. -Turbo ----------------- Get your battery throwing arms ready because Scottie's coming to town.
Stomach flu is something that comes fast, in MJ's case he found out he was ill after he woke up in the morning.
On Stevie and his illness. Actually his recent injury could have caused a considerable amount of the flu-like symptoms. Hydration: As an injured athlete you have this shift of fluids into tissues and spaces that is not supposed to have fluids. This is called swelling and follows any injury. In traumatic events like sprains, fractures, strains, etc... this shift is immediate and in copious amounts. Ironically, you must reduce this inflammation and yet still intake plenty if water (and water based drinks) to replace the fluids that have shifted into the swollen area. This action also forces the body to expel (pee) the excess.The result is a "shift" back to normal. The fluids end up back where they normally are conserved and in the quantities that are normal for you. Injury Response: Any inflammatory process (Strains, Sprains, Swelling, Bruising,etc...) causes an immediate immunological response throughout the body. This is interpreted as an invasive illness and the body reacts in specific ways. Things like an increase in body temperature, a conserving of energy by slowing the metabolic use of nutrition, organ stasis which slows or stops some vital organs from reacting "normally", a conserving or hording of fluids, slowing of particular "automatic" responses of certain organs. This is the initial reaction to the insult of the body. NSAIDS: Non steroidal anti-inflammation medications which are usually given to athletes in large doses immediately after the insult(strain,sprain,etc...) can and frequently do, result in decreased appetite and upset stomache. When they decrease the dosage after several days, the athlete may experience a feeling of general malaise ("the blahs") over the next twenty four hours or more, depending on the dosage they are tapered to. Steroids: Not anabolic steroids, but corticosteroids, used as a first line of defense especially in muscle-bound athletics for traumatic swelling.These immediately reduce the inflammation of the tissue injury but has some effects that are less than desirable. The lining of the stomache rebels against them. They can cause your immunological system to be taken by surprise by "opportunistic infections" and in fact mask the very presence of an infection until it's got a firm hold on you a couple of days later. All of these things could have happened to Francis so I wouldn't judge him too harshly. Actually from what I hear, I thought he may have come back a game or two ... too early. Cheers. Class dismissed. [This message has been edited by popeye (edited December 12, 1999).]
For someone who had the flu last night, he didnt act like it especially after the game. He was roaming the halls with Cuttino after the game talking to fans and rappers in the back. I did see him go into the locker room once during the game-I believe the second quarter, but he came right back out, probably a bathroom break. I'm not saying he wasn't sick, but I don't believe for one minute he was too sick to play because he DEFINITELY wasn't too sick after the game.
One more thing...the NBA.com interview was a tape delay. The team left that NIGHT to go back to Houston.
Well what I didn't say in the above clinical repersentation was that a combination of all of the above also frequently causes severe bouts of diarrhea. Try playing in front of a couple million people like that.
Popeye is right about the RUNS(yuck!)...the one time I did see Francis leave during the second quarter, I think he did go for a bathroom break!! hehehe He did have 2 nice dunks though during the game. He wasn't 100% but he was nice to watch even for one-half.
Rudy's benching may very well have had several reasons. The primary ones may have included or excluded what has already been posted here including a medical reason. However: 1. if you have just lost two of your three starting key people. 2. the one you just got back from an injury is limping at times, has some upset stomach, and cramps are so bad that he left the floor immediately after a break. 3. is forcing the ball in passes. 4. is trying too hard to be the offense when three of the other four guys on the floor are standing around. 5. and if it appears he, the coach, will have to revamp his playing in the coming practices and he needs everyones undivided attention. 6. and, bench players are playing only slightly below the starters. 7. and you are in a game which inspires no intensity from the team. It is in affect a lost game. It does not matter in what quarter this is discovered. That game was over. Period. Nada. Nyet. Hell I would have not even played him. I thought it was too soon anyway. I would never let a rookie decide if he was ready to play. They get themselves hurt that way. Francis was clearly NOT in a position to make a difference last night. Rudy did exactly the right thing.
He wasn't at the end of the bench because of the flu in the 2nd half. Rudy benched all of the starters because he was pissed. Francis was quoted as to wondering why he didn't get back in to the game. Old School
