Hakeem Injury: Pulled groin. Won't return.

**Clutch** · 11-26-1999, 09:34 PM

Hakeem early in the third went down in pain and left the game. He's diagnosed with a "right groin pull" ... he won't return for this game... no report how long he'll be out.

------------------
Clutch
Out to prove Scottie Pippen will apologize at gunpoint.
www.clutchcity.net

Achebe · 11-26-1999, 09:47 PM

good thing we saved up all of those losses for the inevitable dream/chuck injuries...

wait, i take that back, we're finally going to win some!!!

DaDakota · 11-26-1999, 11:16 PM

I predict that Dream's injury is a good thing for the Rockets. There will be only one player clogging the lane on the left block, and Cato will get WAY more minutes.

Maybe this will be like 93-94, when Dream went out and watched the Rockets win 16 in a row. He came back and realized that his teamates could play too.

DaDakota

bballfanatic · 11-26-1999, 11:23 PM

I bet Dream defnitely misses a few games at least, a groin does not sound good. I have been a strong supporter of having Chuck and Dream, and still am, but I was totally happily surprised with how the energy and defense seemed to get better when our young guys had to play without them, then stayed up when Barkley came in though.

I am surprised that I might be wrong. lol.

**Dr of Dunk** · 11-27-1999, 01:50 AM

Bball :

I mentioned this in another thread as well. The tempo and energy stay up with Barkley because he can still play uptempo, he still hustles, and he can devour a rebound and throw the outlet pass or start the fast break. Hakeem has never really been known for throwing outlet passes or running on the break; he did, but was not great at it.

------------------
Rocket fuel pumps through these veins...

Cohen · 11-27-1999, 02:30 AM

Dr. D,
Gotta disagree with you there. I remember Hakeem ripping some teams with full-court bombs. I believe it was Walton who commented at the time that the skill was rare and Hakeem was the best (I'm not sure if quoting Walton helps or hurts my argument

).

I'm concerned with Hakeem being out because Stevie's ankle is still healing, Mass has a groin pull, Bullard just recovered, and Cato also just returned and then was in pain at the end of the game.

**Dr of Dunk** · 11-27-1999, 02:37 AM

Quoting Walton is like french kissing a rattlensnake... it sure as hell doesn't do you any justice and could end up getting you killed...

If he said that, he's nuts... Hakeem's outlet passes have improved in recent years, but he's never been known for starting the break to my knowledge. As a matter of fact, he wasn't even the best big man on the Rockets at doing it... Otis Thorpe was... and OT was probably the best in the league while he was with the Rockets.

------------------
Rocket fuel pumps through these veins...

H-TOWN · 11-27-1999, 02:39 AM

I know this sounds bad and everything, but I am actually looking forward to how the Rockets will play without Dream. I agree with the post about this might be like the 93-94 season, where Hakeem was out, and the Rocks one 16 in a row. I noticed that the Rockets looked better and were a lot more up tempo when he left. It would be great for Cato, and it will finally make our offense less predictable. I really think that we still could have won this game, if Charles of Steve would have had a normal night, instead of the horendous shooting performance both of them had. I really think that it is getting better every game, and will improve significantly for December. This injury to Dream is what this team needs to show that they can operate effectively without him. Hakeem has been great for us, but I am hoping that he will step down at the end of this season.

[This message has been edited by H-TOWN (edited November 27, 1999).]

Not Chaney · 11-27-1999, 03:05 AM

A few ROCKETS thoughts - They played balls out.
The Chucwagon has BALLS. One on one w/Shaq and if scotti quitten comes down the lane.......
Shandon and the break will continue to go. -Carlos plays big inside and runs.
The ROCKETS played a tough game in the Rose Garden.
-Sam Mack would raise them a level scoring. --SIGN MACK!
-The D is there and playing tough. Hakeem's D is underrated.

-the first vision i had after Dream left, was Big elbow Bull Cartwright. I believe a 15-0 run and Don Chaney coach of the year. (Eye orbit) Vernon was fast breakin then and Mobley was tonight.
Shandon should be matched defensively on Kidd next week. I think he may be able to run w/ him and Carlos, Francis,and Cat runnin the lanes. Cato, TMass, and get Kenny off the pine if he can get down the floor.
Kenny the Jet loves The Matrix. Rookie Marion can get up.

Bring on the Suns.
------------------
We would like to get rookie Francis on the break for some easy scoops in the first quarter...

[This message has been edited by Not Chaney (edited November 27, 1999).]

Achebe · 11-27-1999, 03:23 AM

i didn't realize that the game against vancouver isn't until monday... maybe, just maybe, the injury will keep hakeem out past then...