Indazone
11-28-2008, 09:36 AM
He has no doubts he’ll play
Rockets guard Steve Francis has been rehabbing all season, and he’s finally ready to compete at practice for court time
By JONATHAN FEIGEN Copyright 2008 Houston Chronicle
Nov. 27, 2008, 11:26PM
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http://www.chron.com/photos/2008/11/26/14153137/260xStory.jpg
James Nielsen Chronicle
Rockets guard Steve Francis is ready to trade his sportcoat for a uniform and return to playing in the NBA.
There was a moment Steve Francis let himself wonder and worry. He had played in 10 games last season and none since February. But that did not make him question his ability to excel in the NBA.
He underwent surgery to repair a torn quadriceps tendon in his right knee Feb. 26, sending him on a long, tedious rehabilitation. Still, he did not worry.
It had been years since he left the Rockets as Stevie Franchise to return as a free agent whose contract was bought out by Portland after two disappointing seasons with the New York Knicks. But his faith in his abilities remained.
Then, at about the time in the preseason he expected to practice and compete for playing time, he was sent for more rehabilitation, and finally, for the first time, Francis’ confidence was hit and the doubts began to win.
“At first, it did get shaken,” Francis said. “When they shut me down and made me do more rehab, that was tough on me. I did begin to wonder. But now, I’m content I’m going to get out there and play.”
Francis, a 6-3 guard, has not been in uniform this season. He has yet to travel to a game. He has completed only two practices, with only one offering the sort of full-court scrimmaging that could test an ability to come back from an injury.
He is not listed on the Rockets’ injury report. When coach Rick Adelman was asked Wednesday what he thought of Francis’ progress, he had no opinion.
A different role
But Francis, 31, said he had made so much progress he is convinced again he will make it all the way back. His role has changed from those three All-Star seasons, and he has no idea what his body will allow.
“I’m in a different position on this team,” Francis said. “I’m not in a position to dominate the basketball like I used to. I understand that. Our offense is basically about timing, and not a lot of the pick-and-roll stuff like I used to always do. So there is an adjustment to the offense.
“There’s a lot of miles, of course. I can’t really say how I’ll play. I can’t say because I have not really played. It’s all about getting confidence and timing. But I do know I will be back.”
That playing has become a worthwhile goal says a great deal about how much things have changed since Francis’ first tenure with the Rockets, or his return before last season when Adelman assumed Francis would be his starting point guard.
Francis averaged 19.4 points, 6.4 rebounds and 6.1 assists in his first five-year stint with the Rockets. He averaged 21.3 points, 5.8 rebounds and seven assists in his first season with Orlando.
He averaged 12.5 points, 3.8 rebounds and 4.4 assists in his four seasons since, prompting questions about whether his career was close to washed up.
“I can’t pay attention to that,” said Francis, in the last season of his contract with the Rockets. “I would have handled it differently four or five years ago if that was being said about me. But I’m married with kids. That’s what’s important to me, not worrying about what someone says about me.”
Rockets general manager Daryl Morey said Francis remains in the Rockets’ plans, but he added the chances of him breaking into the rotation are not good unless starting point guard Rafer Alston or backup Aaron Brooks miss games.
But Francis’ absence has been conspicuous, especially when the Rockets travel, leaving Francis behind and making him appear further from his comeback.
Morey said there was more Francis could do to rehabilitate in Houston and that when he began to make improvements, the team did not want to disrupt his progress.
Longs to be part of team
“I want to go on the road,” Francis said. “Like last trip, I didn’t go to Washington (his hometown) and that killed me not to go on that trip.
“In practice, that’s the only way I’m going to get a chance to play.”
Asked if he was ready to compete for playing time, Francis said the knee might be but his game is not. He said his timing is off and he is trying to learn the offense.
“I want to get to that point,” Francis said. “It’s hard for me to say when I’ll get in or anything like that. The toughest thing is when the fans do that chanting. If they do that chanting … again I’m going to cry.”
Whether they ever do again sing “We want Steve,” Francis is certain they will get their wish.
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/bk/bkn/6136106.html
Rockets guard Steve Francis has been rehabbing all season, and he’s finally ready to compete at practice for court time
By JONATHAN FEIGEN Copyright 2008 Houston Chronicle
Nov. 27, 2008, 11:26PM
http://ad.doubleclick.net/ad/N2998.centro.netOX4600/B3177811.3;abr=!ie4;abr=!ie5;sz=120x60;ord=[timestamp]?
http://www.chron.com/photos/2008/11/26/14153137/260xStory.jpg
James Nielsen Chronicle
Rockets guard Steve Francis is ready to trade his sportcoat for a uniform and return to playing in the NBA.
There was a moment Steve Francis let himself wonder and worry. He had played in 10 games last season and none since February. But that did not make him question his ability to excel in the NBA.
He underwent surgery to repair a torn quadriceps tendon in his right knee Feb. 26, sending him on a long, tedious rehabilitation. Still, he did not worry.
It had been years since he left the Rockets as Stevie Franchise to return as a free agent whose contract was bought out by Portland after two disappointing seasons with the New York Knicks. But his faith in his abilities remained.
Then, at about the time in the preseason he expected to practice and compete for playing time, he was sent for more rehabilitation, and finally, for the first time, Francis’ confidence was hit and the doubts began to win.
“At first, it did get shaken,” Francis said. “When they shut me down and made me do more rehab, that was tough on me. I did begin to wonder. But now, I’m content I’m going to get out there and play.”
Francis, a 6-3 guard, has not been in uniform this season. He has yet to travel to a game. He has completed only two practices, with only one offering the sort of full-court scrimmaging that could test an ability to come back from an injury.
He is not listed on the Rockets’ injury report. When coach Rick Adelman was asked Wednesday what he thought of Francis’ progress, he had no opinion.
A different role
But Francis, 31, said he had made so much progress he is convinced again he will make it all the way back. His role has changed from those three All-Star seasons, and he has no idea what his body will allow.
“I’m in a different position on this team,” Francis said. “I’m not in a position to dominate the basketball like I used to. I understand that. Our offense is basically about timing, and not a lot of the pick-and-roll stuff like I used to always do. So there is an adjustment to the offense.
“There’s a lot of miles, of course. I can’t really say how I’ll play. I can’t say because I have not really played. It’s all about getting confidence and timing. But I do know I will be back.”
That playing has become a worthwhile goal says a great deal about how much things have changed since Francis’ first tenure with the Rockets, or his return before last season when Adelman assumed Francis would be his starting point guard.
Francis averaged 19.4 points, 6.4 rebounds and 6.1 assists in his first five-year stint with the Rockets. He averaged 21.3 points, 5.8 rebounds and seven assists in his first season with Orlando.
He averaged 12.5 points, 3.8 rebounds and 4.4 assists in his four seasons since, prompting questions about whether his career was close to washed up.
“I can’t pay attention to that,” said Francis, in the last season of his contract with the Rockets. “I would have handled it differently four or five years ago if that was being said about me. But I’m married with kids. That’s what’s important to me, not worrying about what someone says about me.”
Rockets general manager Daryl Morey said Francis remains in the Rockets’ plans, but he added the chances of him breaking into the rotation are not good unless starting point guard Rafer Alston or backup Aaron Brooks miss games.
But Francis’ absence has been conspicuous, especially when the Rockets travel, leaving Francis behind and making him appear further from his comeback.
Morey said there was more Francis could do to rehabilitate in Houston and that when he began to make improvements, the team did not want to disrupt his progress.
Longs to be part of team
“I want to go on the road,” Francis said. “Like last trip, I didn’t go to Washington (his hometown) and that killed me not to go on that trip.
“In practice, that’s the only way I’m going to get a chance to play.”
Asked if he was ready to compete for playing time, Francis said the knee might be but his game is not. He said his timing is off and he is trying to learn the offense.
“I want to get to that point,” Francis said. “It’s hard for me to say when I’ll get in or anything like that. The toughest thing is when the fans do that chanting. If they do that chanting … again I’m going to cry.”
Whether they ever do again sing “We want Steve,” Francis is certain they will get their wish.
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/bk/bkn/6136106.html