Former NBA star Steve Francis says goodbye to his Beijing Ducks teammates of Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) December 27, 2010. [Photo/CFP]

Former NBA player to head home after failing to make grade with club

BEIJING - Former NBA all-star Steve Francis decided to end his Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) sojourn with the Beijing Ducks on Monday due to his poor physical condition, according to a chief official of the team.

"We had a talk this morning and he (Francis) told me for the first time that he underestimated the competitiveness of the league and felt unable to help the team," Beijing's team manager, Yuan Chao, told China Daily on Monday night.

In an interview with Beijing Television (BTV) on Monday afternoon, Francis confirmed he was leaving the team.

"I feel unhappy that I couldn't play the game. I know I was not well prepared physically to help the team on court. As the team is in hot form, I think it is best for both sides for me to terminate my contract," Francis said after he bid farewell to his Beijing teammates at a training session at the Shougang Gymnasium.

Francis, who joined the CBA team on Dec 14, didn't play in the first half of the team's 104-89 victory over Jiangsu Dragons on Dec 26 and left the stadium at halftime without informing anyone. His absence fueled speculation the high-profile former NBA player would end his lackluster and brief sojourn in China while averaging 0.5 points, 0.7 rebounds in 14 minutes over a mere four games.

"It's my first time dealing with a situation like this in my coaching career. I believe it's totally unacceptable for any coach," said Min Lulei, head coach of the Beijing team after the game Francis apparently abandoned.

Francis, who inked a reported $800,000 deal on Nov 29 with Beijing to play the 32-game 2010-2011 CBA season, will get a part of his salary, according to Yuan. The manager said the total amount won't exceed 30 percent of the deal, but he refused to reveal the exact total.

Expected to lead the team out of a mire which saw it ranked a lowly 15th last season, Francis disappointed the Ducks with his poor form and listless attitude after two weeks' of practice failed to get him into game shape.

Ironically, during its first six games with Francis on the bench, Beijing got off to its best ever start, winning five matches, including victories over former CBA champion teams the Bayi Rockets and the Guangdong Tigers.

Min wanted to hire a special trainer to assist Francis during training sessions, but the 33-year-old said what he needed was "more games, not practice".

"I don't know if other coaches would give him the minutes he wants, but the whole team has been working hard in practice. Actually, I had planned to let him play today but the first quarter we got down by too much. In the last quarter, when we led by a large margin, I was about to play him, but I couldn't find him on the bench, " Min said after Sunday's game.

In addition to Francis's physical condition, Beijing also grew weary of his attitude towards practicing.

The final straw appeared to have been on Dec 25 when Francis, against the wishes of the coaches, skipped a morning practice to spend the holiday with his family. As the vast majority of Chinese do not celebrate Christmas, the pre-game practice was compulsory and Francis was the only one to miss it.

"Yesterday, the whole team practiced, but only he (Francis) went to spend Christmas with his family. I don't know how much time the team will give him," said an angry Min.

According to a poll on web portal Sohu.com, 54.86 percent of voters agreed with axing Francis.

"Although it's a pity if Francis is cut by the Beijing Ducks, the team has made the right choice," said a fan.

However, 39.45 percent said they would not watch Beijing's games if the NBA star was let go.