http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/story.hts/sports/bk/bkn/801942 Big men are back After starting 6-7 Kenny Thomas against Shaquille O'Neal on Friday, the Rockets were suddenly overrun with big men at Sunday's practice. In addition to Hakeem Olajuwon, who practiced with the team for the first time this month, Maurice Taylor and Carlos Rogers both practiced. Taylor missed the Lakers' game on Friday and could only play the first 5:44 of the Rockets' game Thursday against the Warriors because the flu. Rogers has missed the Rockets' past five games after the death of his grandfather. "I feel a lot better," Taylor said. "I'm a little tired, actually a lot tired. I needed a couple of days of work before Denver. I didn't want to take a couple of days off and go to Denver to get my wind back. I wanted to get some running in. I still feel congested in my chest. I could feel myself get tired quick. I really don't have too much energy. I'm still not over it completely, but it's like I'm in the second stages." Rogers said that despite the layoff, he would be ready for any role he should be assigned. "My body doesn't work like everybody else's," he said. "I don't get tired. I'm just here. Whatever happens, happens. I'm here and I'm available." Said Rockets coach Rudy Tomjanovich, "We missed those guys, we could have used them in some of those games, especially those close games. They could have been the difference." ------------------ "We're not settling for just getting in the playoffs." "We want a higher seed. There's no doubt. We expect to get in."-- Steve Francis President of the Mo Taylor and Jason Collier fan club! Draftsource.net ClutchTown.com
Just being totally honest here, but I am stunned Hakeem is back practicing with the team. I haven't heard a thing since Hakeem went public last Tuesday, which is disappointing, but the fact that he is practicing with the team is shocking to me. No quotes from Hakeem? You would think there would be a ton of questions aimed at him. ------------------ NOTHING BUT .NET CLUTCHCITY.NET
Maybe his foot is still stuck in his mouth ------------------ CUT Tino These Heaves are just getting Ridiculous!
Clutch, Just found it-- a story on Dream was just put up. Haven't had time to read it myself yet actually. Here it is. http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/story.hts/sports/bk/bkn/801950 Olajuwon sets his mind on Rockets' team goals By JONATHAN FEIGEN Copyright 2001 Houston Chronicle Hakeem Olajuwon knew just how to spend his 38th birthday on Sunday. "Practice and go home and relax with an ice pack," he said. After that, however, he was not sure exactly what would happen next, or perhaps even what he wanted from the Rockets to mark the occasion. "I don't want to try to put myself in an area where you feel you are trying to fit in," said Olajuwon. "There are many teams that want you to come help them instead of fighting to get into a situation." Olajuwon was vague about issues he might have with Rockets role and solutions he could seek. He did not say he wanted to leave the Rockets and spoke extensively about "contributing" during their second half of the season. "The goal is to win and to accomplish our goal, which is to get to the playoffs," he said. "That's what I would like to accomplish. At this stage of my career, I want to contribute. There's nothing really to prove. I want to contribute, make a difference with a team." Olajuwon practiced with the Rockets for the first time this month on Sunday and reported more difficulty with his conditioning than with the swollen right knee that forced him to miss the Rockets' past 11 games. He and coach Rudy Tomjanovich said Olajuwon would not play in Denver on Tuesday, but that he could be ready to return by Wednesday's game against the 76ers at Compaq Center. Olajuwon has, sources said, suggested that the Rockets trade or waive him. On Sunday, he would not address his conversations with team officials or whether he would more directly ask Rockets owner Leslie Alexander to release him. Asked if he would request his release, Olajuwon said, "I would talk about that (publicly) only after we know the clear direction. "I don't have any choice. I'm under contract. I have to finish out. We talk about business. When you have a contract, you ask for different things that can be worked out." Clearly enjoying his post-practice competitions with Carlos Rogers and Maurice Taylor and describing himself as the Rockets' "big brother," Olajuwon said his happiness for the rest of this season does not concern him. Instead, he seemed concerned with maintaining an amicable relationship with the franchise beyond this season. Though he would not say whether he thought it was time to move on, he did sound as if his future with the team is unresolved. "Basketball does not determine my happiness. I'm happy, period," he said. "The question is over the best situation for everybody, to make a good decision where everybody is happy, where I could come back here and talk to the guys and feel free, not feel a stranger. I've come too far with this team to get in that situation. This is more of a gentleman thing. "I think it's open. Naturally, I love Houston. Houston is always my home. I can play somewhere else and come back home. But this is my home. The fans in Houston have been gracious to me. I am very grateful to them. "But there is nothing to be blown out of proportion. I want it on good terms, everybody's happy, this is a good decision for everybody -- not frustration, mad. We have come too far. All my career is on this team. I don't want to do anything to that." The chance of the Rockets working a trade for Olajuwon is remote because of salary-cap rules, his $16.5 million salary this season and the Rockets' determination to be well under the cap come summer. Olajuwon was scheduled to meet with Alexander last week when he could have more formerly requested to be placed on waivers. Alexander, sources said Sunday, does plan to meet with Olajuwon on Wednesday, but he is not considering releasing him. In fact, sources said Alexander plans to try to make Olajuwon more comfortable with playing his last season with the Rockets in his current role. "After Les talks with him," a source close to both Alexander and Olajuwon said, "I think everything will be fine with Hakeem." Though he has not attended the games he has missed this month, Olajuwon said he has been watching the Rockets on television and remains confident in the team in general and in his ability to contribute. "Naturally, I enjoy watching them play," he said. "The game was exciting, especially when you know the players. You look at things you can talk to them about after (the games). "You'd like to complement that, not to take anything away from them. "At this stage of my career, I just want to have fun, enjoy the basketball. I want to see where I can really make a difference. The goal is to win together. At this stage of my career, I don't want to be needed. I don't need that. We have guys that are very, very talented. Just a little bit you give them can make a big difference." Olajuwon said he was happy with the first full practice test of his knee. The problem, a cyst that caused swelling when he worked out, developed Dec. 21 against the Lakers and has kept him out of action since Dec. 30. "It was good to have him back, and I thought he looked OK. He did good," Tomjanovich said. "We started right out working on the running game, so of course he was a little winded." Said forward Maurice Taylor: "He looked good. The thing about Dream is no matter how much time he has off, how much time he's on the court, he looks the same, exactly the same. He was doing the things he was doing before he got hurt. I'm looking forward to him coming back and playing center. He's been calling me the smallest center in the league and some college teams. I don't like that too much. We definitely need him down there." Olajuwon has averaged 10.2 points and 6.4 rebounds in 29 games. With Kelvin Cato out with a partially torn rotator cuff and Jason Collier working his way back from knee surgery, the Rockets have played most of the past 11 games with no true center. "This team is playing good basketball," Olajuwon said. "The most important thing is to complement that. I don't want to take away. "The knee is much better. I just have to condition. That is the key now. Today was a chance to run up and down, back and in full practice. I don't want to start in Denver conditioning." Olajuwon said he believed he could add to the Rockets' qualities without taking anything away, even pointing to the Lakers' often-tempestuous mix of Shaquille O'Neal and Kobe Bryant as an example. "It should be natural," Olajuwon said. "After the Lakers game, I was watching an interview with Kobe and Bill Worrell and (Calvin) Murphy. (Bryant) talked so much sense about it's natural to play with Shaq, it's easy to play with Shaq. It's so natural. It's so easy to play with Shaq because it's not one or the other; you need both of them. That's what I'm saying. It's not one or the other; you need both of them. "It's not just me. You can tell the personality of this team is each guy; we have so much fun. I'm like a big brother for those guys. There's not a players' conflict." ------------------ "We're not settling for just getting in the playoffs." "We want a higher seed. There's no doubt. We expect to get in."-- Steve Francis President of the Mo Taylor and Jason Collier fan club! Draftsource.net ClutchTown.com
WOW!..If he can actually back that up,it would be the perfect way to finish up his career and help this team.Lets hope Dream concentrates on hitting the boards,blocking or altering shots,setting picks,and drilling 15-20 footers.Split up the minutes right and this could be huge.If he shows that he really will be that kind of role player,then.......lets go kick some butt.... It's great to hear Mo and Los are back and with Cato set to return in awhile we should be at full strength for a run.Maybe, in a strange way,this(being without the size) is one of the best things that could have happened,considering the chemistry we have seen develop lately.It will sure be interesting to see what happens now.Hopefully it won't go the other way and blow up.....Cool Cat!..............There still COULD be a deal,though it doesn't sound like it....ahhh capspace and grace..... ------------------ [This message has been edited by hardwood (edited January 22, 2001).]
Positive news concerning Hakeem, oh how it is great to see that again. ------------------ Ceo of the Walt Williams fan club. Web site coming soon atheistalliance.org
Forget all those stuff I said about the dream. Hakeem you are still the best. ------------------ President of the Moochie Norris fan club.
WOW! Now that's the Dream we've come to expect. Anyone think he might have visited us & read some of the posts about him? It sure seems to be a sudden turn around. ------------------
Well done, Dream. THAT's the Dream I've come to hope for. I especially liked the parts about "I'm under contract--I don't really have the choice." Well done. ------------------ Jazzkiller
Is this the same guy we've been complaining about for the last few days? I hope his comments were sincere and I still hope he retires a Rocket. ------------------
It is as i´ve always said. He only needs to come to his senses and he should be as loved and honored as he always has been by the city of Houston and by the Rockets fans. Let´s see if he can back that up or if that´s just fear of end up being hated. I´m taking a wait and see approach with this one. I still think it sounds too good to be true. ------------------ "Dream another dream, this dream is over... Dream another dream, this dream is over... Dream another dream..." - from the Van Halen song, "Dream Another Dream". Fitting, isn´t it?
Yeah, I'm on a hide-and-watch with this one. Sounds like spin control, major-ass spin control. Wary, puffy eyes; pointing finger; emphatic syllables: "I DID not have sexual relations with that woman." This is smoke, intended to cover what has gone before. The Rockets told him, I guess, that a deal is improbable. (See new thread about Phoenix: Or pending and still unlikely.) But, now that someone threw cold water on him, good, says I! ------------------
"At this stage of my career, I just want to have fun, enjoy the basketball. I want to see where I can really make a difference. The goal is to win together. At this stage of my career, I don't want to be needed. I don't need that. We have guys that are very, very talented. Just a little bit you give them can make a big difference." Explain this to me...where else could he have more fun?? And what is that spin on "I don't want to be needed. I don't need that"? Didn't he get through saying that he wanted to go to a team that needed a presense down low, a team that needed what he could offer? If he is so content with having fun, get off the bench and have some fun with out team. ------------------ In the end there will be no judges...only witnesses to my greatness.
Carlos Rogers, Maurice Taylor and Hakeem Olajuwon are back! This is great news. I wish each the best. With Rogers, Taylor and Olajuwon back I think the Rockets would go on a winning streak. Olajuwon would provide the Rockets with a 100% healthy center for the first time since January 9 when he got injured. Taylor would continue his impressive play at power forward. Taylor provides the Rockets with scoring from an assortment of ways and he rebounds well. Rogers would provide a solid backup to Taylor and Olajuwon in the front court. I like the way Roger's play aggressive, hustles, grab rebounds, scores, plays defense and he never complains. ------------------
Translation: "I don't want to try to put myself in an area where you feel you are trying to fit in," said Olajuwon. I don't want to work on the new sets that Rudy has drawn up. I don't want to be passing from the high post. I don't want to work on intricate timing of picks and cuts to the basket. I don't want to work at 'fitting in' with Steve and Cuttino's game. "There are many teams that want you to come help them instead of fighting to get into a situation." Miami, Phoenix and LA all told me they really need me. I don't think I'll have to do all this silly stuff if I play for them. Asked if he would request his release, Olajuwon said, "I would talk about that (publicly) only after we know the clear direction." I'm not going to owe up to that unless I know Les will let me go. "Basketball does not determine my happiness. I'm happy, period," he said. "The question is over the best situation for everybody, to make a good decision where everybody is happy," The question is: can we work out a trade where I can be happy and play on a contending team that needs me, and the Rockets get some players they need too? "...where I could come back here and talk to the guys and feel free, not feel a stranger. I've come too far with this team to get in that situation. This is more of a gentleman thing." ...and after such a trade, I could still come and hang with the boys and everything would be cool. I wouldn't want the guys to think I'm a jerk. No hard feelings, but this is a business. And I've done enough for this franchise that people shouldn't freak on me if I leave. "I think it's open. Naturally, I love Houston. Houston is always my home. I can play somewhere else and come back home. But this is my home. The fans in Houston have been gracious to me. I am very grateful to them." It's all love, baby. Even if I leave, my heart is here, you guys know that. The fans have been good to me, and I've been good to ya'll. "It was good to have him back, and I thought he looked OK. He did good," Tomjanovich said. "We started right out working on the running game, so of course he was a little winded." He's practicing. He still doesn't fit our running game. "It should be natural," Olajuwon said. "After the Lakers game, I was watching an interview with Kobe and Bill Worrell and (Calvin) Murphy. (Bryant) talked so much sense about it's natural to play with Shaq, it's easy to play with Shaq. It's so natural. It's so easy to play with Shaq because it's not one or the other; you need both of them. That's what I'm saying. It's not one or the other; you need both of them." Look, it's not that hard. Surely, fitting Steve and Cat's game with mine can be a natural process. They've got the same thing in LA, trying to fit a dominating perimiter player with dominating big man, like me.
My theory is that Dream wants to be the "team" player to raise his trade value OR if can get waived he doesn't look like he really forced them to waive them. I suspect it's to raise his trade value and give the Rockets a fair bargaining position. ------------------ Rocket fans UNITE to bring Pig Miller back home! WE NEED PIG! OINK! OINK! OINK!
