Right off the Houston Chronicle Press... By JONATHAN FEIGEN Copyright 2000 Houston Chronicle Needing to find something to be wrong, but not too wrong, Rockets center Hakeem Olajuwon might be getting precisely the sort of news today that he hoped would come from the battery of tests he has undergone this week. The first test results Tuesday showed none of the problems he might have feared. Chest X-rays and other cardiac tests uncovered no problems. Blood tests proved negative. But Rockets sources said doctors suspect Olajuwon might have a mild bronchial problem, potentially aggravated by exercise. If that proves the case, Olajuwon would have not only uncovered the cause of his problems with rapid exhaustion during games, but he could have a condition considered easily treated and reparable. Many bronchial problems suffered by athletes are treated with inhalers. Rockets team physician Jim Muntz would not comment about Olajuwon's condition until the remaining test results are available today. He did say, however, that the initial test results have been encouraging. "The blood tests look perfect," Muntz said. "The chest X-rays were clear, perfect. Cardiac looked good. It doesn't look like he has any rhythm problems. But the last cardiac exam results are not back yet. He finished his tests, and most everything looks good so far." Olajuwon has suffered from anemia and in 1997 was diagnosed with atrial fibrillation. The Rockets did not practice Tuesday, and Olajuwon is unlikely to practice today. Sources said if he is diagnosed with a bronchial problem, improvement could come in several days. That, however, might not be enough time to determine whether he would be ready to play against the Kings on Thursday night at Compaq Center. Olajuwon has averaged 11.4 points and 6.6 rebounds this season. He had 21 points and nine rebounds in a 113-111 overtime loss to the Spurs on Feb. 20. But he struggled with exhaustion in the next three games. Olajuwon had six points and six rebounds in 13 minutes against the Lakers on Sunday. He asked to return to the game, but coach Rudy Tomjanovich said he chose against it after observing Olajuwon's difficulty with catching his breath. Olajuwon played 23 minutes against the Nuggets last Thursday, scoring 10 points and grabbing six rebounds. He played 28 minutes in Charlotte two nights before that, netting six points and five rebounds. If Olajuwon is unavailable Thursday, the timing would be right for the Rockets to bring back center Kelvin Cato from the injured list. Cato sprained his left ankle Feb. 18 in San Antonio and has missed five games, making him eligible to come off the injured list. Cato has been out of town and unavailable to be examined by team physicians to determine if he would be ready to play against the Kings. He is expected back in time for practice today, allowing the Rockets to determine if he will be able to return to the rotation.
