http://cba.basketball.titan24.com/08-06-09/75804.html

Reporter Chen Yanyan of Titan Sports reports from Houston





Steve Francis finally made an appearance (at the China Anta Rockets Star training camp). Prior to their departure from China to Houston, the participants of this Anta-sponsored training camp knew that they will meet a lot of Rockets’ big shots in the camp, Rick Adelman, Steve Francis, and of course, Yao Ming who is still staying behind in Houston. Both Rick Adelman and Yao Ming had shown up, but Steve Francis had yet to join them at the camp.

(So on this day) while the participants were in their training in Toyota center's training hall, Steve Francis quietly sneaked in, joined a Rockets physical trainer, and started doing some stretching exercise under the basketball rim. Yao Ming (who also came to Toyota Centre on that day for his rehab) walked in and chatted with Zheng Wu (one of the 2 Chinese coaches at the training camp). Big Yao did not know and notice Steve Francis under the basket rim at the far corner. Steve Francis stood up, waved and shouted out: “Hi !! Yao !!” Big Yao was taken by surprised to see Steve Francis; obviously he had not thought about meeting Steve Francis at this time and place. The two of them greeted each other and shook their hands tightly with each other. It seemed they had not seen each other for quite some time now.

So as the training session concluded, everybody saw Steve Francis. And it was Liu Ziqiu (one of the CBA participants at the camp) who was bold enough to ask: “Excuse me. Can I have a photo with you?” Steve Francis took a look at Liu’s camera and gleefully complied with his request. Then all the others rushed up, queued in line, and waited orderly for their turn for a photo with Steve Francis. Steve Francis was very friendly and hugged everyone’s waist while taking the photo, and when it came to the turn of Zhao Chao, Anta’s working staff, Steve Francis suppressed his head with his left hand, smiled and said: “Finally, here comes someone that is shorter than me.”

So after the photographing session ended, the participants of the training camp left. Steve Francis still stayed behind in the training hall. By that time, Yao Ming had already changed into his training jersey, and the 2 of them started a shoot-around session. Steve Francis stood on the left hand side of the basketball rim, and started shooting at 45 degree angle. Yao Ming did not shoot, but just acted as ball boy to pick and feed Steve Francis with the basketballs. In Yao Ming’s eyes (and heart), Steve Francis was and is his Lao Da (big brother). Steve Francis had yet to be fully recovered and could not move nimbly; basically all his shots were fixed spot shooting, but his hit rate was still very high; he hit 18 out of 20 of his jumpers and achieved 90% hit rate. And so this was Steve Francis who had just resumed his rehabilitation. In Rockets changing room, Steve Francis’ locker/cabinet is adjacent to Yao Ming’s. Knowing Steve Francis is to come back for his rehab, Yao Ming had helped to clear out his locker/cabinet and reserve space especially for him.

The shoot around lasted for more than an hour; Steve Francis then left the training hall and went straight for the gymnasium to continue his (strength and conditioning) training. When he reappeared again, he was already fully soaked with perspiration. “Please wait for me. I need to change to some fresh clothes.” Steve Francis said. So very soon, he had already changed to some clean clothes, and with a bowl of cream mushroom soup in his hand, Steve Francis sat down and chatted with the reporter on his latest situation/status about his rehabilitation.

TITAN Sports: All the participants of this training camp very much want to see you, and hope they can receive some of your coaching and advice.

Steve Francis: Well, I came today as I really want to greet them, and give them some instruction and advice. But you can also see that I have not fully recovered from my wound, and I still can’t walk for long, not to mention that I can start playing basketball. So it is very regrettable (that I cannot give them any instruction and advice as a coach should).

TITAN Sports: So when did you start your rehabilitation? And was today’s training specially arranged by the coach?

Steve Francis: I only started my rehabilitation this month, and I came today on my own accord. As I missed most of the previous season, I therefore wanted to come earlier to get familiarize and hope I can retrieve my original form and condition as soon as possible.

TITAN Sports: So right after the regular season ended, what have you been up to?

Steve Francis: Well, I had this surgery in February; I had to do this surgery because one of the side ligament on my right knee was already broken. I then had to convalesce at home after the surgery. Now my plan is to start my rehabilitation from June to August, and I will come to Toyota Centre every day for it.

TITAN Sports: So how is your wound recovery? What types of rehabilitation exercises the doctors allowed you to do?

Steve Francis: Well I’m only 50% recovered on my wound, and it still requires time. And the rehabilitation must also have a process. Now I can only stand and shoot under the basket. I still have difficulty to be able to move around (not to mention to run). Other than above, I can work on my strength and conditioning in the gymnasium. I hope I can be 100% and well prepared when the training camp starts (in October).

TITAN Sports: The Houston Rockets had been troubled with injuries and sicknesses for the past two seasons, and always got bumped out of the playoffs in the first round. Through some probable personnel or roster changes this summer, do you think the situation at Houston Rockets will change for good?

Steve Francis: Absolutely. It is true that for the past 2 seasons, the Houston Rockets suffered a lot due to serious injuries and sicknesses, and this had impacted our results adversely. But you can also see the positive changes in our team: we played very well last season and we had been getting the rapport and chemistry and playing more and more like a collective. As for this summer, I thought if every of the Rockets can take his own initiative to work and train diligently on their body and skills, then I don’t think it will be a big problem for us in the new season, and we should no longer worry about serious injuries again. Just look at me. I am now working diligently and positively on my rehabilitation. I hope I can be of use and help to contribute more to the team in the new season.

TITAN Sports: How many of such training camps (or basketball clinics) have you participated in?

Steve Francis: Just too many, and I have lost count of them. But if you meant training camp with Chinese players, then the most recent one was already 4 years ago in Shanghai, Yao Ming’s hometown. I still remembered that training camp clearly; all the participants of that camp worked very diligently; they all like Yao Ming, and of course they like me too. I also remembered that I had joined some of the training sessions with the Chinese national team that summer.

TITAN Sports: Are you happy and satisfied with the shoes that China Anta had designed for you?

Steve Francis: I’m very satisfied with their design; it feels very comfortable and the appearance is also good. But I had made some suggestions to them recently; I hope they can add in some of my personal touch and elements to the shoes, and they have fully complied with my requests. I still had some designs and drawings at home, and I hope they will be useful in the future.

TITAN Sports: You know it will be the 2008 Olympics in August. Do you have any plans (to come to Beijing for the Olympic Games)? Welcome you to Beijing!

Steve Francis: HA HA, I will come. My current plan is that I will arrive into Beijing by August 22, and I plan to watch men basketball's finals.

Well the answer wasn't one I was looking for. He told me he just saw Francis last week. He said Francis was done. He is still walking around stiff legged and couldn't even jump. He said, he's just getting paid to do nothing. Even though Francis said he was 1000 percent sure he would play again, this guy said basically he wasn't even rehabbing anymore. So unfortunately, Steve Francis for all intents and purposes appears to be done. If he ever wanted to play again, he would have to work his butt off in the gym to overcome the stiff legged injury he has but perhaps Steve has completely lost the drive that made him the All-Star that he once was.

http://www.hoopsworld.com/Chat.asp?CHAT_TOPICS_ID=319

Steve Francis is at IMG in Florida working his butt off with Coach Mike Moreau and his team. He's absolutely determined to be back in the league next season.

Now since your source is Bill Ingram at Hoopsworld, who should I believe? I think my money is on the guy that said he just saw Steve Francis at a party instead of fiction writer Bill Ingram.

http://www.draftexpress.com/article/Jrue-Holiday-Im-a-Floor-General--3234/

DX: Have you had the opportunity to talk to any players who have gone through this process?

JH: I talked to Steve Francis, he was at IMG. He’s a veteran so he’s been through this, but he just told us to stay positive. It’s a long process, your body is going to get worn and you’re going to have some bad workouts. But ultimately just work hard, stay positive and enjoy this process, it only happens once in a lifetime.