Yeah, and had gotten too little in return. Daryl Morey only took a wait and see approach all along when it came to trading Rafer to see how the offseason acquisitions of Francis and James would work out as well as Rafer. We can recall last summer teams were only offering garbage in return for Rafer with Morey thinking he was worth more than that. And to think that the Miami Heat were offering Michael Doleac in return for Rafer, which would have been a lopsided deal in the Heat's favor.
Agent: Rockets’ Francis to Have Season-Ending Knee Surgery HOUSTON, Feb. 6 (AP) - Houston Rockets guard Steve Francis will undergo season-ending surgery on a torn left quadriceps muscle, his agent told a Houston television station Wednesday. The 6-foot-3 Francis has been out since Dec. 15 with the injury. He's appeared in only 10 games this season with three starts, averaging 5.5 points and three assists. Agent Jeff Fried told KRIV that Francis would have the procedure. "It's been a challenging few years for Steve from an injury perspective, and if there is any aspect of a positive light to be placed on the situation it is that Steve now knows the severity of the injury,'' Fried said, "and can take definitive steps to repair the problem and look forward to continuing his basketball career at the elite level that he is accustomed.'' Fried did not immediately return a telephone call from The Associated Press. Rockets spokesman Nelson Luis would not confirm the surgery. Francis signed a one-year contract with an option for a second year in July, returning to the city where he played from 1999-2004. He was traded to Orlando in 2004 in a deal that brought Tracy McGrady to the Rockets. After two seasons with the Magic, Francis spent two seasons with New York before signing with Houston again. The former Maryland star has career averages of 18 points and six assists, but his numbers have steadily declined since he left the Magic. http://www.nba.com/nba_news/francis_surgery_080206.html
I truly think this is bogus to give Francis a way out. It is amazing after, 5 months (Oct) that they now find this out. Bollocks!!! Let's use this expiring contract to get something of value.
Francis is not an expiring contract. He has a player option for next season. Now that it looks like he'll be out for 8-10 months, he'll likely exercise that option and collect his $2.5M next season to sit back and rehap his leg.
it doesn't make any sense for francis to agree on less money when he can get paid to rehab at home for the full amount. also he's not going to get another contract while he's still injured to make up any loss from a buyout.
I feel bad for him, hopefully he will return strong next year or the year after that. He should've done surgery earlier but he's a man and wanted to fight through it like T-mac did with his knees. He's got my respect for that and he did what he had to do. I'm glad we got him because without him we wouldn't have won the game against the Suns and i probably wouldn't have been so excited to follow the Rockets again. His comeback was one of the major contributions to my expectations of this year's Rockets. Good luck Stevie and we can't wait till you come back.
I just saw Tmac checking into the ER at Hermann Hospital with his trainer (maybe?) around 9:45 this morning. He looked fine but maybe he injured himself somehow......I thought he might be checking in on Francis but usually you don't stroll into the ER to visit someone who's going to be in surgery. I would have started a thread but I don't have permission.
Haha... I think there is a pretty big difference between Wade getting hurt at his young age and talent level, compared to Francis repeatedly getting hurt now at his older age and deteriorating skill level. Now, I love Stevie just as much as the next guy, and it KILLS me that I will never see the Rockets win a playoff series with him at the helm, but it's time to end this chapter of Rockets history. Thanks for the memories, Steve!! <object width="425" height="355"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/B4HoKvDM7y8&rel=1"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/B4HoKvDM7y8&rel=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="355"></embed></object>
