So, basically SF has jumper's knees in both legs. It's the same injury that has haunted him last season. Oh well, get well or make a decision to retire. I hate to see him hanging around not playing or can only play a few games in 1 season.
It doesn't make any sense at all to me for him to fake an injury. And I'm not so sure about the trade explanation, or even the future contract prospects. My guess is it's simply something they're telling the media in order to quell public outrage that he's not playing, and give them an excuse to exclude him from traveling with the team, etc., and ruining the little morale we have left. I recall when the Kings traded for Nick Anderson, and there were some really high expectations... then near the end of the season, he was playing so terribly that the Kings actually told him he had a wrist ailment. He argued with them of course, because he didn't have one, but that was their excuse.
I don't know who would be outraged that Francis is not playing at this point. His last game was probably the worst of his career, and he didn't look good in either start. Most likely he is either truely injured, or the team made up an injury so they could move Novak to the active roster because they had no intention of playing Francis anyway.
Wow, so I guess anyone that goes down with an injury is faking it? Give me a break guys. Oh, isn't there some rule that you can't trade players when they are injured? Also, to be fair, Francis never really got a chance like Head and James. Sure he started some games, but that was when the entire team was just plain horrible. He never got consistent minutes. One game he'll get a lot, the next he got none. I still say that Steve is not done. He cares too much about the game to just give up now.
Even Steve is reading your post and shaking his head in amazement. He is done. I hate to say that because we could have used a combo guard who takes it to the rim hard but he just isn't that guy anymore.
Steve's last game vs Dallas was absolutely horrible. Not kind of bad, but worst game of his career bad. He pretty much single handedly turned a half time lead for us into a route for Dallas in the 3rd quarter with bad play after bad play, combined with no defense. Maybe that was because his knees were bothering him? I don't know, but I do know that he certainly did not take advantage of the opportunities he had when he did start. Anyway, I don't think Francis is faking an injury, and since it is no longer required to be injured to be on the inactive list, I will assume he really has some sort of issue there. The only question is how severe is the problem? Maybe the injury is severe or maybe it's minor but the Rocket's wanted to make a roster spot for Novak. At any rate there is no reason for Steve to fake an injury. If he wanted out, faking an injury wouldn't exactly make him attractive to other teams.
HAPPY NEW YEAR TO YOU ALL! (even the haters ) Let's just hope that Steve is preparing himself to make a run later in the season to really help this team. While Rafer may have had 22 pts and no turnovers tonight, we still all know that he will not work in the playoffs. Like some others here, although Steve had a couple of bad games his last time out, they were no worse than some of the horrible games Rafer had. So with only 10 games played, if he can get healthy and in shape, he should still get one more try before the end of this season. We will see. Nevertheless, looks like Im gonna have to replace him for now in my starting lineup scenario!
Um, maybe we're the last team to know that Francis' career has been on a quick slide? Rockets round 1: we ourselves got rid of him. Then to Orlando--eh. Knicks--not a success. Portland: beyond no interest in SF, WAY beyond no interest. Now he is back here and we are scratching our heads: "Can Stevie help our team?"
hey look on the bright side, Aaron Brooks and Scola look good. we are finally playing Novak. At least the youngsters are playing for once. dude, at least we're not the Miami Heat.
turn out the lights the party's over they say that all good things must end call it a night the party's over and we can all ways thank Steve for YAO again. (and that really crappy arena he built brick by brick)
I remember Steve actually sitting for much of the second half but I will agree that was his worst game of the season. But look at the other 5 games where he actually got more than 20 min, he's done fine.
It was great to see Novak get meaningful playing time and make a positive contribution. He actually played with purpose on offense and was trying to get open. Several times the other guys missed him.
Maybe Francis could go to miracle worker John Patterson for some treatment. Who knows, maybe the dude can help him with his knees like he helped T-Mac with his back.
Francis has jumper's knee? We haven't seen him in a game at all for along time. He's played a few practices but last we heard he was out with the flu and travelled to Chicago to join the team. Now he's out with quadricep tendinitis? Something is going on. I'm thinking trade.
hopefully he gets traded. so far our supposed deep bench has been a joke. james and francis have been busts. the only added talent on this team has been brooks, scola, and bonzi
This particular form of tendinitis is actually called "sitters knee" and it comes from having the knees bent at a 90 degree angle for long stretches of time. This is similar to what Vspan had last year (although it wasn't reported) and what Mike James is also developing.
If the Rockets want to be successful they need Steve Francis down the stretch and in the playoffs. Other players will not cut it, unless you're happy with a first round exit. Hopefully, Steve will make a comeback and prove the haters wrong like he did against Phoenix. Angkor Wat's analysis is dead on. He never got consistent mins - at least not like Head, James and even Brooks has been getting lately.
