[Rockets.Com] Steve Francis picks up the player option for next year

He didn't this year, but I can think of at least one last year that he was passed the ball in the corner on a last shot and sunk it.

Head's biggest two problems are confidence and size.

The confidence he can improve, but like Chuckie and Aaron we can't do anything about the size factor. (buy a stretcher?? )

 

That was against the clippers and it might have been like 2 years ago.

He has confidence in the reg season, and his size is only poor because he cannot handle the ball. His size is fine for a point.

 

I'm as excited as anybody about Francis. I really hope he comes back strong from his surgery. He could easily be the 3rd scorer we need.

Still, am I the only one that finds it amusing that AntiSonic will dog McGrady for showing up to work when he "feels like it," but holds SF3 so near to his heart when Francis came into camp out of shape, and pouted on the bench the first few games of the season? Hilarious.

 

Francis will never be what he was 5-6 years ago. But for all the guys that think he is done............I just think he's got something left. I think he's gonna be able to play after he is totally recovered if he can stay healthy after that.

Along with his obvious physical skills, Stevie brings one thing unique to him that nobody else does. Stevie has proven he loves HOUSTON. And he brings that emotional edge to the game. The fans know he loves HOUSTON and they love him back. It creates a synergy for this team that nobody else can give them. I really think he can give us a good 20 mpg when he is still healthy and it will be an inspired 20 minutes.

 

If this is a serious post, it's the laugh out loud funniest I've seen in a long, long time.

 

I don't think Francis can run the point as effectively as Rafer but what I think he can do is play the 2 guard backing up T-Mac and he can switch to PG when Rafer gets tired and play alongside T-Mac. Or...Adleman can play smallball and put Brooks, Francis, T-Mac, Alston, and Landry/Scola/Yao on the floor. Has some interesting possibilities.

 

I don't hate Steve Francis, but I can't believe that anyone who has seen him play over the last 3 years, thinks that he will ever be relevant on the court again. He is an older player who had a major injury, the same injury that ended Barkley's career, and even prior to the injury was not the same guard that left Houston many years ago.

Even if Stevie does get healthy, another tweener guard that plays terrible defense, is not what this team needs. His only relevance to the Rockets is his expiring contract. My guess is that Steve Francis will never play another regular season basketball game, but if he does I hope it is for a different team.

 

Quadriceps tendon. Again, read what Bull said. He's had this surgery.
WARNING, GRAPHIC.
http://www.arthroscopy.com/quadrep.htm

No... No he won't. Look, I want Stevie to be back, but he's never been and never will be a hard worker devoted to rehab. I have no faith whatsoever in Steve Francis' ability to work his butt off and be a productive NBA Player again. And if he is, it's a LUXURY. Daryl Morey can NOT count on Steve Francis being back, and he really shouldn't.

At this point their careers, RAFER ALSTON > STEVE FRANCIS. Francis has HEART, but he doesn't have the body to back it up anymore. I don't like having to say that, but it's true. YES, I remember the Phoenix game, but that won't happen after this surgery.

About the best we can do for Stevie right now is remember these days fondly...
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Steve Francis is still the Franchise... No matter what anyone says.

 

For the record, Sir charles was 36 years old and was plagued by injuries. He had back problems and his scoring was declining. He probably could have chosen to give it one more good try to get into shape and come back but retired instead. Here's the prognosis from the Rockets Dr. at the time for Sir Charles.

http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1355/is_4_97/ai_59021320
"It's certainly a career-threatening injury and a season-ending injury," said 76ers' team doctor Jack McPhilemy, noting that the injury requires surgery and at least six months of rehabilitation, especially for a player of Barkley's age, 36.

 

You're right about Barkley. But Steve expects to be back to full in 3-4 months; it's going to take much longer than he thinks. Listen to Bull himself; he can tell you just how serious an injury this is.
http://www.sportsradio610.com/episode_download.php?contentType=36&contentId=2105074

IF Stevie is dedicated to rehab and coming back strong for the Rockets, I welcome him with open arms. I WANT THE FRANCHISE BACK AGAIN. Do you remember how we were all GUSHING over his return last season? Having STEVIE FRANCHISE breaking ankles on the floor is EXACTLY what this team needs. He can create his own shot, dish out assists, go lights out, and can run the floor. He puts his heart into each game and would be PERFECT in Adelman's offense.

But he's NOT that anymore. In his prime, he was a true superstar. And if he could even be 80% of that, he's done a heck of a job and surpassed all odds and expectations. I just don't think he has it in him. If he does, man, that'd be pretty freakin' sweet.

 

Point well taken. My main point is that Stevie looked done before the injury and it is a very serious injury. The odds are way against him being a productive nba player again. I hope he can, because I like him and I like his spirit. I do not think his game, even if it approached 75% of what he used to be, suits what the Rockets need. If you look at Adelman's and Morey's comments they are unanimous that this team needs to get bigger at the 2 and 3 when McGrady or Battier are on the bench. Steve does not provide a role this team needs.

 

If he can put the ball in the hole and drive to the basket that is 100 percent better than what Mike James gave us last year.

 

Bottom line is how hard is he gonna work in the gym. I don't think he's like the old Francis that didn't have to be told what to do. The old Francis was a gym rat who worked on his body. Ate only natural healthy foods. The current Francis doesn't do that at least not what we've seen so far. I think he's gotta get some of that Rocky "Surviver and Eye of the Tiger" mentality back. Cause he's gonna have to really work. Somehow I suspect he's gonna need a guy like Falsone to be riding his butt to get him back into shape. Does anyone know if Francis has hired a personal trainer like this?

 

Has anyone heard a Doc speak about Steve's particular injury or surgery? It is completely irreleveant to talk about Chuck or Bull's quad injury. Yea, it may give an idea of how this injury rehabs but gives no clue as to how it might pertain to Steve's case. I for one am hoping that he was embarrassed by how he showed up last year and will use that to kick a$$ in rehab to give it one more try. Dont Hate!!

 

All I could find on a search on the internet on Francis's post surgery care was the following.

http://sports.sina.com.cn/k/2008-03-17/15093537941.shtml

Of course, his ankle did not stay idle; Under Russ Paine’s help, Yao Ming already started some very slight and micro activities on his ankle area. Russ Paine (Houston Rockets’ physical therapist) is an extremely renowned physical therapist. He had assisted many other sports athletes to get back into their top competitive form and shape in their restoration/rehabilitation. Right after Yao Ming’s his knee surgery last summer, it was Russ Paine who attended to Yao Ming’s restoration/rehabilitation. Yao Ming said: “Last year, if not for his help, it was impossible for me to be able to recover and rehabilitate so quick, and it would also be impossible that I could keep up and maintain such great conditions upon my return.” Steve Francis is the other patient of Russ Paine. Actually, before Steve Francis trade (to Orlando Magic), he was already under the constant care of Russ Paine.

 

that's right.. dude's been playing hurt for years.. he'll come back stronger than ever

 

Anyone who thinks steve francis is going to stay here and help us is smoking something good... The guy has an expiring contract now and hasn't been effective for 3 years.. He is done people.. I love francis but sheez be realistic.. Him and Bjax are definitely goners because you know why they are expiring contracts and pretty much our only trade bait..This is the only way the rockets can improve for next year without losing key parts. We have no money to spend in the FA market so it has to be done through trades. Hence, Francis and BJAX should start packing their bags cuz that's how the nba works.

 

I love Air Bull, but seriously, who thinks him and Steve are the same kind of athlete? Not to mention the fact that Bull had the surgery quite a while ago. People used to think Amare's old injury was a career killer. (obviously not the same stage in their careers, but still) Just because Matt says it takes a long time doesn't make it so.

An unathletic 6'10 guy is a lot different than a hyperathletic 6'3 guy, especially a decade later.

 

No, you're not the only one. It haunts flamingdts' dreams too.

Don't blame Stevie for getting Star-buried in New York or getting benched by Adelman. His performance against Phoenix was a testament to what a terrible move that had been.

The best thing about Steve is that he doesn't settle for 30-foot heat checks and he isn't afraid to draw contact to get to the line.

Get well soon!

 

This maybe true but a smart investor always looks to see what they have before letting it go for nothing. If I'm Morey I'm gonna wait and see what Francis brings in Training Camp and Preseason before making a decision.