http://www.sportingnews.com/nba/rants/index.html RAVE Look at Steve Francis' numbers this season -- 21.5 point, 7.3 rebounds and 6.6 assists -- and you are impressed. Consider what the Franchise has been playing through, however, and you are amazed. He has been plagued by mysterious headaches for much of the season. He has missed five games because of the ailment and has played with the pain in many others -- more than 20 by the count of some observers. Rockets coach Rudy Tomjanovich, a veteran of 30-plus years in the NBA, says he's never seen anything like it. Tomjanovich says there have been times when Francis is fine at the morning shootaround, then arrives for the game and can't play. Teammates have said they sometimes will see Francis staring at his fingers during the game, like he's trying to bring them into focus. He has banged free throws off the backboard because his balance hasn't been right. Francis has been through endless testing and no certain diagnosis has been made. The latest result from the doctor's office -- let's hope this one is right -- says the problem is linked to a disease that affects the inner-ear. Tomjanovich said the other night that the problem might have been related to Francis' diet, which included salty and fried foods. Since Francis changed his diet, the episodes have subsided. He has played in eight straight games for the first time since the first month of the season. Let's hope the worst is behind him. He is too good a player, one who always is a joy to watch, to have to play with such pain. E-mail managing editor Stan McNeal at smcneal@sportingnews.com.
Ok the last 8 games we played we are 4-4. We loss to Orlando, Milwaukee, LA Clips/Lakers but impressive wins over Boston and Minnesota. I think its safe to say that Francis DOES makes a difference to this team.
