Tell CD and the Rockets what you think

[Nolen]

Let's say, hypothetically, the Rockets are working on a deal/trade that would send Hakeem away. Let's say their number one concern is fan reaction. Let's say that there are people in the front office of the organization that check the BBS regularly.

Now is your chance. Let your voice be heard. If Hakeem Olajuwon is no longer with the Rockets, will you still be a fan?


I will. If the trade isn't stupid, as long as we get some advantage in cap space/picks/players, I'm with this team.

[heypartner]

Hakeem might get us more wins this year, because of his defense, and even the offense. But he doesn't seem to like our offense or have the patience to let these young players get better at it, and he doesn't seem to want to learn new tricks and help the new system grow.

CD and Rudy, if you can't teach the dog new tricks, and he wants out...what can you do? Complaining from a Hall-of-Famer is not a good way to teach Cato how to act.

So much for Dream taking Cato under his wings.

Dream, if you want to play your own way, and complain about it, what do you want? Wow, I never thought Dream would complain and claim this is a business, "I can play for a contender for another year." Nice abandonment of the new era just because the coaches abandon your offense...here's the door!

[This message has been edited by heypartner (edited January 16, 2001).]

[Thanos]

It´s dream that wants out. He has stated so, and it´s he that has opened the door to a trade.

That being said, i wouldn´t oppose to the RIGHT deal.

We may owe him a lot, but that doesn´t mean that we should make a trade that doesn´t fit our needs just to please Dream´s.

So no, i would not oppose to a deal that meets any of our needs like capspace, picks and players, even though i prefer to get players. Yeah, i´m obssessed about SAR being a rocket, go ahead and sue me. http://bbs.clutchcity.net/ubb/biggrin.gif

Oh, i almost forgot about this. When Dream´s contract expires, we get the cap anyway, so WHY trade him now for capspace? Only if the players on the last year of their contracts are useful to us as far as winning NOW goes (doubtful) or if we can PACKAGE other contracts we might want to get rid of (Cato, Walt, Los) which is FAR more intersting, IHMO. THEN and only THEN it makes sense trading the dream for cap purposes. Otherwise, he stays put.

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"I have posted so much that what I say must be true"

[This message has been edited by Thanos (edited January 16, 2001).]

[MoonBus]

That's a lot of "IF"s, but I will go along...

I will still be a fan if that's what Dream wants... play for a contender.

If Dream is still playing next season but not with the Rockets, I would still be a Rocket fan. I hate to see Dream in another uni, but I feel the Rockets have fulfilled their obligation at the end of this current contract.

If Dream is willing to play within the current system, 1/3 of the current salary isn't much, but I would also understand if Mgmt chose not to go with that route.

I will HATE the Rockets only if they trade Dream now and that Dream wants to retire at the end of this season.

[Hottoddie]

I think that the Rockets need to trade Dream/Cato/Walt/LOS for younger players that can grow together.

It's impossible to put a value on experience, but if a player becomes a distraction to the development of the youngsters like Dream has, then it's time for the changing of the guard.

Cato is turning out to be one of the biggest candy a**es in the league. If the Rockets want him to stay healthy, they'll need to hire someone to clear his path of any pebbles or dust particles so he doesn't stub his toe or something. What a waste.

Walt has gone back to being his usual inconsistent self. Now, we know why he hasn't stuck with any team as a starter for very long.

LOS is just about as injury prone as Cato, but when he's healthy, brings a lot more desire & abilities to the game than Cato does.

I know Rudy is loyal to the veterans, but IMHO, if you want to go to the next level, you're going to have to cut the ties that bind. The bottom line is the bottom line, if you don't put a wining product on the floor, the people won't pay to see it. Dream has given his permission & blessings to a trade that would benefit the team. After all, he has investments here in houston & a winning Rockets organization would benefit him as well. Even if we trade him to a noncontender like Vancouver, Chicago, or Golden State, teams that have some good young talent, he can play out this year & go to any team he wants to next year. This is of course, assuming that he will play another year or two. The beauty of trading for young talent that's already in the league is that you have a better idea how they'll adapt to the league. With undrafted rookies, you just never know.

The Clippers, if they can keep their team together, are the perfect example of what I believe the Rockets should be doing.

The Rockets young nucleus of Francis/Mobley/Shandon/MO/KT will have at least two years of experience after this year & injecting some more youth into the lineup now might be the right thing to do.

Also, with all of our centers hurt with the exception of Collier, why not put him in as your starting center & let him get his baptism under fire? As I alluded to earlier, you can't place a value on experience & you can't gain experience on the bench.

On a more positive note. Great move, putting Shandon at the SF position. He seems to be taking to it like a duck to water.

Whatever moves or lack of moves you guys make will be alright with me. ROCKETS RULE!

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[This message has been edited by Hottoddie (edited January 16, 2001).]

[Achebe]

What the partner said.

I'd be happy to see Dream get a tagalong title somewhere else, though.

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We're going to stay together until something happens, if something happens. - Sidney Lowe on Shareef's career in Vancouver.

[SamCassell]

I think we should trade Hakeem for Doug Christie, Kevin Willis, and a couple of #1 draft picks.

So much for a dignified, gracious ride into the sunset.

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"Thirty-seven?" -Randall, Clerks
www.clutchtown.com (http://www.clutchtown.com)

[OT]

This is what is wrong with things today. There is no loyalty or commitment to anything or anyone. There is no loyalty from the players to the owners or owners to the players or owners to the fans or the fans to the owners. Dream should retire a Rocket.

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[DaDakota]

If Dream does not intend to retire, then I would have no problem trading him.

I think he can still be effective, but he seems to have a hard time catching the ball on the roll to the hole and just does not want to accept a lesser role.

He has been great, and I would wish him well.

DaDakota

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If Mankind evolved from monkeys and apes, then why are there still monkeys and apes?

[Nolen]

Originally posted by Thanos:
Oh, i almost forgot about this. When Dream´s contract expires, we get the cap anyway, so WHY trade him now for capspace? Only if the players on the last year of their contracts are useful to us as far as winning NOW goes (doubtful) or if we can PACKAGE other contracts we might want to get rid of (Cato, Walt, Los) which is FAR more intersting, IHMO. THEN and only THEN it makes sense trading the dream for cap purposes. Otherwise, he stays put.



It might not be that easy. He stays, but he doesn't retire. He wants another year. Maybe two. I'm sure those salary negotiations are going to be peachy. "I want 13 million for two years." "Uh, Dream, you don't even fit our offensive system anymore." Even worse, imagine us losing him to free agency to another team! The humiliation!
There are other teams that he would fit well in, maybe truly help them make a playoff push. He could be an important part of something elswhere when he's just "marching into the sunset" down here. I would be especially happy if he could go somewhere where he will be respected and appreciated, like Vancouver.

[MManal]

The Rockets have been very loyal to Dream and should now have free license to trade him esp considering his comments about the offense and such. The Rockets passed up a lucrative offer from Toronto a few seasons back to keep the Dream on board. How many folks would like to have Shawn Marion, Jonathan Bender or Corey Maggete developing with this young core of players? Les Alexander has re-paid Dream for the days he was lowballed by the previous management. Who can say with a straight face that Dream has been worth 16 mil based on his performance the past few seasons? Its pretty clear that Les re-paid him for the days he was underpaid.

Certain fans which I wont call out right now are willing to completely damage this team's future b/c of their loyalties to Dream. Hakeem's complaining about the offense and his role in it was a completely low act from such a classy individual. Had it been anybody else, 99% of this forum would be raking him over the coals. I believe in re-paying a past debt but there is a limit on loyalty in my book. If you owe someone $100, you may give them back that amount or a certain amount more but you dont mortgage your life savings to them.

This is going to sound brutal and ugly but my preference is on winning championships as opposed to any kind of player loyalty. I dont have any specific favorite player but only a favorite team, the Rockets. If they do what is best for the team's future to win rings down the line, Im happy. I could care less who is on the team, as long as it wins. You could give me 12 thugs off the street, if they won I'd be happy. Its all about winning, losing sucks.

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Check out the Best Source for Draft Info

Draftsource.net (http://www.draftsource.net)

[RedRacer]

[H]The Dream is over.[HR] Reality Bites...
Rockets Red 4ever!!

[Achebe]

Nolen hit it on the head.

Even worse, imagine us losing him to free agency to another team!

Dream is gone.

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We're going to stay together until something happens, if something happens. - Sidney Lowe on Shareef's career in Vancouver.

[ROXRAN]

Goodbye, Dream.

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Sometimes you gotta do the next best thing!

[UT Baller]

Hakeem has been my favorite player since I have been a basketball fan. That being said, the Rockets are bigger than just Hakeem Olajuwon and if trading him benefits the organization then do it (as long as Hakeem gives his blessing). We dont want to turn into the Celtics who showed too much loyalty to Bird and McHale.

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Calvin Murphy for President!

[Scarsdale]

I'm gonna miss you Hakeem, but it's best for everybody if he leaves. It's obvious he's not coming back next year. We should get what we can for him now, and hopefully he goes to a contender and has a shot at another ring.

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[cson]

I've signed on. I am a Rocks fan for life. The thing to remember, however, is that to many people Dream IS the Rockets, so any trades, deals, and even his retirment, needs to be handel w/ kit gloves. Let's Remember, Dream was the franchise before Franchise.

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C-son
______________

[Jeff]

Olajuwon is not happy and obviously wants out. His comments in the paper allude to that and I think we've all seen this one coming. At this point, I almost believe ANY deal that doesn't hamstring our chances by either bringing in a talented young player OR keeping our cap space available is fine.

If he wants out, he will be worse for the team if he remains than if he doesn't. The one thing young players need is stability. A fading star that complains more than he performs is worse than no star at all.

I'll always be a Rockets fan. Period.

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I am very very sleepy.

[Space Ghost]

Im with you on this one Jeff ... if the benidict wants out, let him out! If he does go, I will lose much respect for the guy.

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its all good and fun till someone gets hurt ... then its absolutely hilarious!

[Thanos]

Originally posted by Jeff:

If he wants out, he will be worse for the team if he remains than if he doesn't. The one thing young players need is stability. A fading star that complains more than he performs is worse than no star at all.


Good point Jeff. As painful as it is to admit, the truth is that we´ve ALREADY seen examples of this. Anyone remembers Dream´s comments about how you cannot go away from the post...?

We can only hope that the Rockets are using Dream wisely as a bargaining chip, because if he REALLY has made that clear that he wants out and the team we are negotiating with is aware of that demand, his value as far as trade bait goes WAY down. Just look at what happened with McGrady and Hill, for instance.

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"I have posted so much that what I say must be true"

[Gypsy]

Hakeem is more than the Rockets--he's been here for 20 years with the Cougars and Clyde, Micheaux, Young and everyone else I can't remember on the moment. He's been Houston and the first to bring us a championship in the last 30 years.

He's upright, strong, honest, direct and humble. He's the antithesis of the brash, disrespectful yet extremely marketable breed of NBA star that dominates the league today. Of course we want another championship. We want another dynasty and we all realize that Francis, Mobley, Anderson and, I believe, Taylor are going to be a part of it.

I think of the era of Phi Slamma Jamma, of two championships I had only dreamed of them having when I was a child; of the unrewarded greatness of Earl Campbell, J.R. Richard, Nolan Ryan; of the biggest heartbreak in the UH loss to North Carolina State; of the Sampson last second shot over LA; of Hakeem's punch that dropped Mitch Kupchak (the same GM of today's gangsta-Lakahs); of Mad Max's 31 points in the second half in a critical game against Barkley's Suns; of the Dream's growing domination that crested like a tidal wave over Robinson to fall over a young Shaq's Magic team in 4 games straight.

How many memories will pass with this great man and sports figure? I grew up with him as a hero, and now I'm a grown man. True respect is to give him what he wishes, and we know, or should know because of his character, that he only truly wishes the best for both the team and himself.

A trade, a waiver, I have a feeling that his leaving will be more than a line in the NBA action column. A true memorial city-wide should celebrate the great gift he has given us and I believe that Rudy, CD and Les Alexander understand this.

How can I say goodbye?

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[Gypsy]

[edited--sorry for the double post]

[This message has been edited by Gypsy (edited January 17, 2001).]

[Stevie Wonder]

For somebody with only two post, that was well said Gypsy.

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Stevie Wonder says "they call him FRANCHISE because his dunks are for sale at an arena near you."

[heypartner]

Gypsy,

But Dream doesn't want us to "say goodbye". He told us that.

[Grendel2]

If Dream wants out, there's nothing to be gained by fighting with him to stay. I'd hate to see him go, but I'd also hate to see the Rockets put themselves in a bind trying to keep him -- especially since he was supposed to retire a Rocket.

If he goes, I could only accept it if the Rockets got an agreement that Olajuwon doesn't wear #34 anywhere else, and that they get good value in the deal. I'm talking the kind of no-brainer deal that you don't have to analyze for hours to convince yourself that it's fair... something that you can accept without having to talk yourself into it (Astros fans can relate, I'm sure).


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[This message has been edited by Grendel (edited January 17, 2001).]

[Lynus302]

Dear Rockets,
I have never been one to embrace hype. If you do this with Hakeem's blessing, and it is for the best for the team, I will support you in this. You have always been an organization of class, honor, and loyalty. It is because of the Houston Rockets that I am a sports fan of any kind. Although I wish Dream would retire a Rocket, I am aware of the direction this team is heading, and I like it.

I bleed Rocket red. Rockets for life!

Dear Dream,
I love you as a player and for what you have done for this city. I watched you when I was a child all the way until I became a man. You are not only my favorite Rocket, but my favorite player, and my favorite athlete.

I wish you the best, but I wish you would retire a Rocket.

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"Salt Lake City, Utah. You will never find a more wretched hive of scum and villany."
--Olaju-Won Kenobi, to young jedi Steve (Fran)'chiseWalker

[Since75]

Originally posted by Space Ghost:
Im with you on this one Jeff ... if the benidict wants out, let him out! If he does go, I will lose much respect for the guy.


Why the hell does he have to be called benedict? Why can't he simply be respected for having the balls to say it? Grow up and don't start the name calling Bull*****!



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[Christopher]

Hakeem Olajuwon is the reason I am a Rockets fan. He is the reason I even care about the NBA at all. He was my first ever "favorite player" and still is to this day. I would be very sad to see the great one leave Houston and play somewhere else.

Having said that though I think both the Rockets and the Dream can make good out of this. To see Hakeem win another ring.....Sure it would be hard to watch him play for another team in the finals. But I dont doubt that if Hakeem was in the finals playing for just about any team (Except the jazz) Im sure all Rockets fans would be hoping he won. To see such a great player pick up his third ring would be terrific and the media coverage would be what such a great player deserves. Yes it would be hard. But if you thibnk of it in a positive light it could also turn out to be so good for a player that has given so much to the Rockets.

For The Rockets themselves, maybe they could work a three way trade to get us a good young player and at the same time send Hakeem to a contender. I know that we will get cap space anyway for next season but there are some good players out there wanting to be traded and we could win out. Whatever happens I think the Rockets will be ok in the long run.

It will be sad to see Hakeem play for a different team. He has given us SO MANY great memories. He is the reason I am a Rockets fan, and he is the reason I will always be a Rockets fan.

Christopher


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Your Starting Power Forward for the Clutch City Allstars

My Expert Opinion Of Steve Francis:Mate he is a special player!

[DannyC1005]

Hakeem is The reason I became a Rockets fan. I remember being in JR High and watching the Houston/Celtics finals, and hearing "Hakeem The Dream Olajuwan" for the First time. One on one with any other center Hakeem was a killer. After Career scoring numbers in the high to mid 20's for 14 years and seeing that go into the low teens, his offense has seen better days.
I love his play, He is still a silky smooth, finesse play with the power among the greatest.
It would be great to be able to use him in the game for the rest of the season. But if he can be used for his Defense and not be the target for the offence. If he can get 8-13 rebounds and 1-3 blocks a game, that would be great.
Houston no longer has the dominate rebounder anymore once Chuck was gone, seeing how Barkley's replacement in the Starting PF position was averaging very poor numbers on the boards.(before Kenny was starting PF)
A healthy Cato may be able to come around and get the nightly double double like Kevin Willis, and Chuck could do.
But for now I don't know what is the answer. The team that was on the floor aginst Toronto last night was a killer combinaton.
It would seem disrespectful to let the team's legend go, like what the publics feelings on Patrick Ewing. But It seems like Dream would not leave on bad terms with anybody.
But I would like to see his last game played in Houston.



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[DannyC1005]

Hakeem is The reason I became a Rockets fan. I remember being in JR High and watching the Houston/Celtics finals, and hearing "Hakeem The Dream Olajuwan" for the First time. One on one with any other center Hakeem was a killer. After Career scoring numbers in the high to mid 20's for 14 years and seeing that go into the low teens, his offense has seen better days.
I love his play, He is still a silky smooth, finesse play with the power among the greatest.
It would be great to be able to use him in the game for the rest of the season. But if he can be used for his Defense and not be the target for the offence. If he can get 8-13 rebounds and 1-3 blocks a game, that would be great.
Houston no longer has the dominate rebounder anymore once Chuck was gone, seeing how Barkley's replacement in the Starting PF position was averaging very poor numbers on the boards.(before Kenny was starting PF)
A healthy Cato may be able to come around and get the nightly double double like Kevin Willis, and Chuck could do.
But for now I don't know what is the answer. The team that was on the floor aginst Toronto last night was a killer combinaton.
It would seem disrespectful to let the team's legend go, like what the publics feelings on Patrick Ewing. But It seems like Dream would not leave on bad terms with anybody.
But I would like to see his last game played in Houston.



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[lived]

My love basketball originates from the Dream, not the Rockets. My loyalty to Rockets came after Barkley and Drexler came aboard.
As much I as appreciate the Dream for what he has done in the past, the management has to always act for the best for the Rockets. We fought so hard to stay in Houston, do we want to be tied down by a salary-cap from an aging superstar, as we try so hard to bring in young players? I think not.
The Dream has unfortunately gone against his previous statements, and I have lost a little respect for him.
Then again, while I would have no hard feelings letting get traded, I wouldn't want to see the Rocks get scrub players who would only hang around Houston with trade talks surrounding them, or worse, see them waived or placed on IR.
Let's hope the organisation and the Dream manage to come to an agreement that would benefit both parties. As such, I see no benefit having the Dream abroad. The Dream is now what he is.. just a dream of the past.

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Do not harm little children!