Man does this one hurt. You know he would win if he entered. http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/story.hts/sports/bk/bkn/801457 Francis says he might skip All-Star dunk contest By JONATHAN FEIGEN Copyright 2001 Houston Chronicle Steve Francis said he is unsure if he will participate in the dunk contest during All-Star Weekend. The Rockets guard said although he had looked forward to competing in the All-Star festivities at the MCI Center in Washington, near his Takoma Park, Md., hometown, he does not want to aggravate the ankle problem that has plagued him during the first half of the season. "I haven't decided, but I don't think I'm going to," Francis said. "I've got two weeks before they need an answer on that. I don't want to sprain my ankle again. I sprained it again this week (at Utah on Monday.) I'm not sure what I'm going to do. But right now, I don't think I'm going to do it." Francis also was named to the team of second-year players that will compete in the Schick Rookie Game. But if he makes the All-Star team, he would not play in the rookie game. But if he plays in the rookie game in the afternoon, Francis said it would be unlikely he would compete in the dunk contest that night. Francis finished second to Toronto's Vince Carter in last season's dunking competition. Carter and Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers have said they will not participate this year. ------------------ President of the Jason Collier and Mo Taylor fan club! Draftsource.net ClutchTown.com
The thing is 3 weeks away. How could he worry about his ankle? ------------------ "Rarely is the question asked: Is our children learning how to put food on their family while being put to death."
When will we know if Steve was selected to the All-Star team? Also we will find out real quick how bad this years rookie crop is after they get slapped around by last years rookie crop. And this years team probably won't have Francis or Brand! ------------------
I hope franchise does participate in the dunk contest so he can win. I would be nice seeing him win something righ tnow, it would be good for him as a player and good for his relation with the press. ------------------
Best news I've heard in a while... I've never been a big fan of the dunk contest...It's all about what the NBA should be trying to get AWAY from, showboating and sensationalism...Plus, it's an easy way to get injured, like Steve mentioned... The NBA needs to just put the dunk contest out of it's misery...It's clear that the players aren't as interested as they once were...Kobe won it, and he didn't want to participate again...Vinsanity won last year, and he chooses to skip this year...It might have been fun back when 'Nique and Jordan went head to head, but it has gotten stale very quickly...The ONLY reason that the NBA reinstutited the dunk contest was because of Vince Carter...Now that he's through with it, I don't see any point in keeping it... ------------------ If you don't eat your meat, you can't have any pudding!!
All the polls suggest that the dunk contest is by far the most popular event of all-star weekend. Even more popular than the all-star game itself. Ending it would be lunacy. ------------------ "Rarely is the question asked: Is our children learning how to put food on their family while being put to death."
I think Vince has been gettin in Steve's head.I bet Steve asked Vince why he wasnt entering and it somehow affected him. I think he will enter it though. It is still a ways off, and I think he will realize that he'd be lettin down his hometown if he didnt enter. Skipping the contest isnt a good thing. It shows one of two things.... one that your scared of losing and 2 that you dont wanna be embarassed ala larry hughes. ------------------
If I was Steve Francis, I wouldn't participate in the slam dunk contest this year. Why? Last year is why. Carter had some unbelievable dunks but Francis' were just as good if not better. Francis had the highest vertical out of anyone but the celebrity judges gave it to Carter. The slam dunk contest is a popularity contest. Vince Carter is more popular than Steve Francis. Screw popularity. No Vince Carter this year, no Steve Francis. The NBA can go **** itself at this year's dunk contest. And that is why Steve Francis shouldn't participate. If he wins people will say there was no Vince Carter. That is BS cause SF should have won last year. ------------------
Maybe Cuttino can take his place? He's got some nice ups. I guess Jerry Stackhouse is the favorite to win it now. ------------------
I've twisted/sprained my ankle several times. To this day, it still hurts when I bend it the wrong way. Granted, Steve is a million times more athletic and prolly has a higher tolerance of pain, but ankle problems simply don't go away. Why put more stress on it for a meaningless contest ? Besides, I'm sure Steve has hurt his ankle a million times more than me. ------------------ "We don't have any plans. We just plan to win." Mack Brown
I wouldn't mind seeing Mobley in it. ------------------ President of the Steve Francis, Jamal Crawford,Larry Hughes, and Charles Woodson fan club.
Carter had some unbelievable dunks but Francis' were just as good if not better. Francis had the highest vertical out of anyone but the celebrity judges gave it to Carter.-Smokey Just cause Francis has a higher vertical doesnt mean his dunks are better. I agree that Francis was hated on on one or two of his dunks, but the reason the judges gave the award to Carter is because Carter's dunks were better. As far as Stevie not competing, it would be a shame. But his ankle is more important. It really has been bothering him this season since he first sprained it against Denver. The all-star break is a nice time to heal (except for the rookie vs. soph all star game). ------------------ PrEsident of The Danforth Langhford FAN CLUB... He IS our future All-Star Small Forward [This message has been edited by alaskansnowman (edited January 21, 2001).]
Francis not in the Slam Dunk Contest is music to my ears. He doesn't need the additional wear and tear on the ankle. ------------------ GATER
Well damn, why cant he just skip the rest of the games till then to rest his ankles? ------------------ President of the Charles Barkley fan club...Oh he retired? When?
How about because the Dunk Contest doesn't count on the Rockets W-L record and he is a team player. ------------------ GATER
I think he will compete. Someone will convince him. ------------------ Sometimes you gotta do the next best thing!
Its a joke buddy, lighten up. Better go and add a smilie. ------------------ President of the Charles Barkley fan club...Oh he retired? When?
VJK - Didn't need a smile. My original post was a serious comment. Perhaps you needed a smile if you posted sarcastically. ------------------ GATER
Exactly. I'm biased but Francis' dunks again were just as good as Carter's. Steve Francis has major ups for someone 6'3" compared to Carter's 6'6". Francis was hated on his best dunks. I don't like the way the NBA runs the slam dunk contest. It is a popularity contest with the celebrity judges. I also didn't like how Steve Francis was hated on by those celebrity judges. ------------------
