Hooped Up

After being picked 2nd in the 1999 NBA Draft, former Orlando Magic player Steve Francis today is a man without an NBA team and he is now literally sitting around picking his nose until the league come calling again.

If Steve-O was looking for a radical way to be relevant again, embarrassing mission accomplished.

Rockets guard Steve Francis is scheduled for surgery that is expected to end his season, a person with knowledge of the decision said Wednesday. The Rockets would not comment and Francis could not be reached. An announcement is expected today.

Houston Chronicle

Houston Rockets guard Steve Francis will be out for the indefinite future due to bi-lateral quadriceps tendinitis, the team announced prior to Monday’s contest with the Golden State Warriors. Francis, who had already been sidelined since December 20 with a bout of the flu, will not accompany the team on its road trip to Boston and Orlando starting on Wednesday to begin his rehabilitation.

SportsTicker/National Post

It is unlikely that Francis will return next season. The Knicks reneged on a buyout agreement with Francis after Jamal Crawford suffered a season-ending ankle injury. A Cavs source said that the team was made aware of Steve Francis’ pending buyout and had internal discussions about acquiring him.”

New York Daily News