Francis playing through pain

Hottoddie · Mar 24, 2002

It seems that he's got more than just migraines to play through. Maybe it's time to just sit him out the rest of the year, before the shoulder becomes a chronic problem.

http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/story.hts/sports/bk/bkn/1305998

Francis plays pain game

Rockets guard keeps fighting despite injuries

By JONATHAN FEIGEN
Copyright 2002 Houston Chronicle

SAN FRANCISCO -- Steve Francis had gotten loose on the baseline and took off for the basket. There might have been easier ways to score, but an opportunity to do the spectacular does not come along that often -- even for the gifted -- and Francis saw a chance.

With Erick Dampier, Golden State's long-armed, 6-11 center closing in, Francis launched himself toward the rim and raised the ball in his right arm to punch a dunk down over Dampier.

He never got there and hasn't been the same since.

"In the Golden State game I tried to dunk over Erick Dampier," Francis said. "He really, really, really, really, really jerked my arm back. Ever since then, I've been going downhill. I loosened up enough to play. But I haven't been able to shoot the ball."

Francis' right shoulder has consistently worsened. Diagnosed with tendinitis, he is treated after every game and practice.

But in the Rockets' past eight games, beginning when Francis met Dampier somewhere above Compaq Center's court and up to tonight's rematch with the Warriors, Francis has made just 45 of 124 shots (36.3 percent). In the past two games -- lopsided losses to Sacramento and Seattle -- Francis has made just seven of 30 attempts.

His shooting has been even more wayward as he has stepped back to the 3-point arc. Including the Golden State loss, Francis has made just five of 29 3-pointers (17.2 shooting percentage) in his past eight games.

"I can't really go straight up," Francis said. "All my shots are short, real short."

Francis' shooting woes are affecting his entire game. When the shots are not falling, he takes the ball to the rim -- often drawing contact from big men who patrol the paint. That contact, similar to Seattle's Jerome James' hard foul on Friday that bruised Francis' left shoulder, has worsened his physical condition and shooting eye.

"I'm trying to make shots," Francis said. "I still want to shoot. When my shots are not falling, I'm going to drive. Anybody, to get going, will try to get to the line to get yourself going, regardless of whether you're taking contact or not.

"It's nothing different from the norm as far as the severity of the fouls; they're hammering me."

Francis has not been listed on the Rockets' injury report and said he does not want to miss any time to allow himself to heal. He said he was unsure if his shoulder would heal enough while playing to help him regain his shooting touch.

"I missed so many games with injuries and headaches, something this minor to me won't stop me from playing," he said. "It's a serious injury, but it's minor compared to the foot injury or the headaches. By me able to do other things, rebounding and passing the ball, that helps the team."

Francis missed 15 games with ruptured tissue in his right foot and seven more games with migraines-like symptoms including headaches, dizziness and blurred vision. The Rockets have gone 2-20 this season without Francis, who has also played with migraine-like conditions in many other games.

The Rockets have won three of eight games since their previous meeting with the Warriors. In that stretch, Cuttino Mobley has surpassed Francis as the team's leading scorer and Kenny Thomas has matched him for the team lead in rebounds per game at 7.2.

During that stretch, Francis has averaged 17.9 points, 6.6 rebounds and 7.9 assists.

Since Francis' rookie season, the Rockets have sought to get him to limit at least some of the contact he takes and Francis has worked to add a runner in the lane over shot-blockers. But with that shot not going for him lately, Francis has been more willing to take the ball to the basket and, if necessary, to draw contact. He has made 75 percent of his free throws in the past eight games.

But while that might get the Rockets scoring they need, it hasn't helped Francis regain his good health or shooting touch.

"The guy is competing," Rockets coach Rudy Tomjanovich said, "and he is taking a beating."

gr8-1 · Mar 24, 2002

well, if Cuttino scores more than him and KT rebounds as well, then I guess he isn't our best all around player.

Rocket River · Mar 24, 2002

Maybe he should do like VC and IVERSON . . and call it a season';

Rocket River

Hydra · Mar 24, 2002

What's really sad is that his 17% 3 pt shooting since the injury is still better than TMo on the season.

Roc Paint · Mar 24, 2002

GOD,
I love this kid.

finalsbound · Mar 24, 2002

Originally posted by Hottoddie
Maybe it's time to just sit him out the rest of the year, before the shoulder becomes a chronic problem.
Click to expand...

Translation: Since the Rockets are worse than the Harvard basketball team when Francis sits out, maybe it's time he sits out all season so we're virtually assured a top three pick.

j/k

Seriously, Steve is a warrior. More of a Warrior than the p*****s we're playing tonight.

Swopa · Mar 24, 2002

glynch · Mar 24, 2002

If this is true, Steve should sit out the rest of the year.

For his health and the chances of a better pick.

He should stop playing so much street ball this summer.

Steve and Cuttino should work out enough to keep in shape. Remember how Cuttino supposedly came in to the season in unbelievable shape, but sort of tired from constant play. Might have led to his spraining his ankles at the start of this abysmal season.

Also, Steve and Cuttino would benefit much more from watching hundreds of hours of Jason Kidd, Gary Payton, John Stockton and other smart guards than futher developing their street ball tactics.

Actually this critique applies more to Steve since he is the point guard.

heypartner · Mar 24, 2002

I have never liked Steve's interviews from day one. I mean, who actually liked his first NBA interview....lol. I don't like someone saying, "so I do all the other things to help the team," tooting his horn and all. I guarantee you he has said that 5 times this year. I vividly remember during the All-Star week his comparison to Byron Davis..."We are the same, but I get more rebounds. That's probably the difference." yeah. you get more rebounds and score much more than Jason Kidd, too. What is your real point Stevie. I've never heard a PG try so hard to convince me that he does things to help his team?

It makes me feel weird, like it is his promotional mantra. Cuttino has really stupid quotes sometimes, too. The difference is that Cat and Moochie have both blamed themselves for stupidity or bad play. Francis never does. Dude dribbles the ball off his foot and slips on the court every game. Against Seattle, his passes in the 1st Q were horrible...worse than Mobley like, and he still will never say...."man, I had a bad game."

It is OK to admit you stunk up the joint Francis. That Seattle debacle of yours was worse than any shoulder sprain...that was due to a brain sprain.

<b>I have no point, just fishing to see if others agree</b>

Something is just weird with that. I don't know. I have no point that I'm making here, just fishing to see if anyone else feels the same way. Francis, why don't you once explain why you dribble so horribly sometimes, instead of mentioning how you have bad luck but keep doing all the other things for the team? Did Bull Durham teach you to talk like that???? hehe As for the other teams hammering you,

dude!!!!!!!!!

you are second in the league in free throws for a non-PF/C. 5th overall. You are ahead of Vince, McGrady and Kobe. You think you're the only one who gets hammered? You're not getting hammered anymore than Cuttinos left elbow his getting clipped. Cry me a river.

just play ball.

Originally posted by glynch
Remember how Cuttino supposedly came in to the season in unbelievable shape, but sort of tired from constant play. Might have led to his spraining his ankles at the start of this abysmal season.
Click to expand...

No. I don't remember that. What I remember was he came into camp in "unbelievable shape" and took it up a notch and got a hip pointer. My guess is the ankle sprains happened by coincidence. When you get one, and keep playing, it can lead to another. It is an odd notion that being in great shape caused Mobley to tire and get ankle sprains. Tiring as a cause of ankle sprains is an odd notion by itself.

haven · Mar 24, 2002

I'm beginning to worry that Stevie might have a very short-lived NBA career. These headaches seem pretty dangerous... and he plays such an above the rim game, and he's so small... that I sort of wonder how long his body can take it.

Maybe some really fantastic conditioning or playing a calmer game would help... I'd hate to see our franchise player burned out at 28.

TheFreak · Mar 24, 2002

Funny, the only question I had after reading the article hasn't even been addressed. Why the hell was he trying to "Dunk over Dampier"?

I think a lot of the problem with the Rockets is that they'd rather dunk on somebody than make a basket.

heypartner · Mar 24, 2002

Originally posted by TheFreak

Funny, the only question I had after reading the article hasn't even been addressed. Why the hell was he trying to "Dunk over Dampier"?

I think a lot of the problem with the Rockets is that they'd rather dunk on somebody than make a basket.
Click to expand...

The whole problem with Francis quotes is he uses the all-enclusive analysis, when really it is all about him.

So what part of TheFreak's quote is all-enclusive when it is really all about Francis?

hmmmmmmmm

TheFreak · Mar 24, 2002

Are you insinuating that I'm really Steve Francis?

heypartner · Mar 24, 2002

hehe...

I have to go bowling with TheFreak one of these days.

crash5179 · Mar 24, 2002

Originally posted by TheFreak
Are you insinuating that I'm really Steve Francis?
Click to expand...

Steve Francis can't be you because if he really thinks it is all about him then he must be my ex wife in disguise...unless you are also my ex wife in disguise?

Time to run away.....

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