Some interesting talk about his money situation... By JONATHAN FEIGEN Copyright 2002 Houston Chronicle Steve Francis did not need a team of specialists to tell him his treatment of the headaches that punished him last season was correct. Still, it was good to hear. A battery of tests performed at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn., this week confirmed the Rockets physicians' diagnosis that Francis suffered from Meniere's disease, a treatable condition that frequently triggered symptoms resembling those of migraine headaches. Francis said he was even told the condition does not last for the vast majority of Meniere's sufferers. The news offered signs Francis would be able to prevent the pain, dizziness and vision problems that plagued him throughout his third NBA season and was another step toward the Rockets' plan to sign Francis to a six-year contract extension. But after months of treating the condition with medication and careful diet, Francis said he knew the worst was behind him. "I've been dealing with it a long time," Francis, 25, said. "I look forward to just continuing to work with it. Hopefully, eventually it will go away because he said it was something that could go away over time. "(In) 90 percent of the people, it completely goes away. (Doctors) said I could be in the echelon of people it completely goes away." Francis, whose surgically repaired right shoulder had improved enough for him to play pickup games at Westside Tennis Club on Thursday and Friday, said he has not suffered from the headaches since the end of the season. But he was noncommittal when asked if the diagnosis cleared the way for him to sign a long-term contract extension with the Rockets. General manager Carroll Dawson said it would be wrong to tie Francis' trip to the Mayo Clinic to the completion of negotiations because players routinely undergo thorough physicals before signing long-term deals. "We always have physicals before we can sign people," Dawson said. "It's not that now that he's cleared, he will sign tomorrow. "We're glad this is out of the way and we can continue talking about an extension to his contract that would keep him in Houston for a long time." Dawson met with Francis' agent, Jeff Fried, and adviser, Rock Newman, last week in Las Vegas and said there were no major obstacles to a long-term deal. The Rockets are expected to offer an extension worth 25 percent of the next salary cap (to be determined next July), roughly $85 million over six years beginning with the 2003-2004 season. Francis said after the season that he was eager to sign a contract extension with the Rockets. "I'm going to sign the contract," he said. "There's no debate about me wanting to be here." But Francis was not willing to be as forthright Friday. With negotiations about the contract likely unnecessary, Francis indicated he was more interested in gaining confidence that the Rockets could become contenders. Francis, an All-Star starter, averaged a career-high 21.6 points per game and was the only NBA player to average 20 points, six rebounds and six assists. "A lot of other guys have locked themselves in for years," Francis said. "It's definitely something that's out there. We'll have to come to a conclusion with this. We'll be able to come to a conclusion sooner than later. You never know. "The money is not really the situation. It's about winning. I'm definitely tired of being in the doghouse in the NBA, people not really paying attention to your team, people not really respecting your team. When you go through things like that it tends to wear on you. You want to be in the situation where everybody is looking forward to winning." Francis' rehabilitation from shoulder surgery is weeks ahead of schedule. He worked out for Rockets coaches last month with the summer league team in Los Angeles and is expected to be ready for the start of training camp Oct. 1. "I'm still in rehab," Francis said. "I'm getting a lot of attention at Georgetown University. I think I'm one of the guys God blessed as far as being able to heal quickly. I'm definitely grateful. As far as playing in a game against the Lakers, I'm a long way away from that." He also cannot consider his Meniere's disease behind him. But the mystery is over. The symptoms might be. "I think I've done a good job dealing with the situation," Francis said, "just knowing it is something I have to always be aware of."
Also, It says that Menieres goes away in 90% of patients...that is GREAT news. The bit about winning bothers me.....if he wants to win so bad, why not TAKE the team to the next level....LEAD them...don't whine about not winning....do something about it. I think he will sign the deal...AND do something about it...and we will all live happily ever after. DD
He should be tired of losing. I would be pissed if he weren't. I'm just afraid too many people will blow his comments out of proportion whe I really think what he said makes a lot of sense. os
He has mentioned his concern about the team,as it appears he doesn't think that we have a potential winning combination especially in the frontcourt even after getting Ming. I think the Rockets picked the right players in the draft,and Steve and the rest of the players should get ready for the season.
The only player to average over 20 points a game to go along w/ 6 boards and 6 assists a game. Nuff said.... Go Francis!!
steve was closer to 8 rebs per game. 20-6-6 is still great. next year, steve will lose some rebs due to moT being back, griffins increase in playing time, and the addition of yao. all of those factor into more asts. my prediction for steve: 20-5-8
The point is the context. Don't get me wrong. I have no big problem with Francis signing only a 3yr contract. I wouldn't blame anything on him for taking the more flexible and high paying route. But what can CD do right now to convince him otherwise, such that it would be a contract issue. Does he want CD to trade for someone? Make promises that Cato will start? What? seriously Old School, what do you think Francis expects in these negotiations? Why did he renege on what he said earlier, that Feigen quoted? in the context, it is obvious to me he is considering Yao Ming in these contract decisions, and might not think he can play with him. It really to me sounds like he might be stalling to see Yao play in the World Championships, and will make his decision based on his personal scouting of him, and talking to other players.
Here we go again!! I told you so many times that Francis might not want to be anything less than the STAR of the Rox. There is a good chance after a couple of seasons he might not be but the third best player on the Rox! If this where to be the TRUTH then would Francis be considered a true 'Team Player' and if not how much is this 'I want to win'is realy a cover up for we must win with ME as the Star Player.After all he has tried to protect low quality players like Williams and Cato etc.
really?? i assume you mean Griffin and Ming ahead of him? I can see Griffin, MAYBE...but I have a hard time believing Ming will be as good a player at his position as Francis is at his.
I guess it's all relative. Francis has, and will have, plenty of young, talented competition at his position (A. Miller, B. Davis, J. Williams, S. Nash, etc.). But how many premiere young centers are out there?
They keep mentioning that in 90% of all patients, the migraines just go away...but they never mention when. Is this just random, or is Franchise going to have to wait until he is 40 before these headaches stop? Just seemed like something the article kind of deliberately ignored.
The Rockets are in a better situation than Steve IMO. If the team with Ming proves successful, Francis will want to stay instead of move on. Griffin and Ming, in this case, will prove to be too awesome of a combination for years to come, with too much promise for Francis to leave. If Ming, and, too, the Rockets overall, don't prove successful, it is possible Francis will want to leave. That would be a loss for the Rox. However, not winning next year would bring up many questions about Francis being the key to the future, anyway--I'm not saying anything more than that those questions would be brought up, and difficult to answer. The big risk is that Francis' inner ear condition doesn't improve. Then he's looking at throwing money away by not signing. That's the biggest factor on the negotiating table right now. The Rockets have the greater leverage.
I'm dying to hear TroyBarros' take on this situation. I have no problem with Steve signing a 3 year contract. If he wants to see if this team can be a winner, 3 years should be more than enough for the Rockets to be a championship contender. Plus, if his condition worsens the Rockets aren't tied to a max contract for 6 or 7 years. B
B, Exactly, And chances are he will not be the best player on the Rocks in 3 years. Ming and Griff will be better. DD
That's great, Steve. We appreciate that you want to keep your commitment to the Rockets conditional on them always striving to improve. In fact, we'll return the favor. Our commitment to you is conditional on you always working to make the team better. That's team, as in Yao and Griffin and Nachbar. We'll be watching to see what you do to mesh your game with those guys, make them the best they can be, and help the whole team run smoothly as a unit. Three years from now, if you're not happy with the team's performance, feel free to leave. And if we're not happy with the effort you're making to work with the immensely talented frontcourt we're building around you, we'll feel free to ship you before then. Deal?
It's too bad that Francis' "adviser" (hanger-on) is Rock Newman. He is a sleazebag refugee from the decrepit world of heavyweight boxing promotion who stole millions from Riddick Bowe. (unless there are 2 guys named Rock newman)
I'm not sure if your sarcasm is directed against Steve or against the Rockets, here. If Steve really is wavering on his commitment to the Rockets, then it must be towards him. But, to me, it's obvious that he has to worry about the impact of his medical condition on his career. If the Rockets are only offering him a 3 year deal, then their commitment to him is conditional, and his responses may all be reactionary (and if this is what you're thinking, then the sarcasm is directed against the Rockets). The chicken or egg question, here. Who doubted whom, first? Maybe Steve played his heart out with the migraines knowing that he did want a 6-7 year contract at the end of THIS season, and he worried that sitting out a substantial amount of time in 'recovery' would affect his negotiating ability. I would guess so. Drafting Ming, according to paranoia, could be taken as a sign that the Rockets don't have confidence in a healthy Francis anymore. And all the publicized worry on Steve's part is really a reflection of his own concerns of his condition. Just guessing.
Did I miss something? Where does it say that Steve wants a 3 year contract? It sounds like typical posturing to me during negotiations. I will be surprised if he signs a short contract. Whatever the max is, we'll offer it to him. If he thinks things aren't working out the way he wants, Steve can make a pest of himself and get traded. Isn't it a no-brainer?
