Let's Not SCREW This #34!

[DREAMer]

Houston sports teams seem to always screw their best players, especially ones who wear the number 34.

NUMBER 34, #1
I grew up on football. I was an Oiler fan since about 4 or 5 years old. I loved Earl Campbell. He was my favorite sports figure until Hakeem came along. And what did we do? We traded him to New Orleans. Sure, some will say it's because he wanted to be with his coach Bum. And, some will say, he was past his prime and his body had been worn out. But, dammit, he was great. Show some balls, and let the man go out the way he should've

NUMBER 34, #2
Nolan Ryan was a little different than Earl. He started with the Mets then the Angels, and finally ended up here. He was the best thing that ever happened to the Astros. If you listed the greatest Astros ever, he'd be number one on that list. But, what did we do? We CUT him. This one year after he led the league in strikeouts and ERA. Why did we cut him? Because the Astros asked him to take a major pay cut to stay on the team, and he refused. Well, we all know he played 5 more years, had 51 more wins, and 2 more no-hitters.

NUMBER 34, #3
Hakeem Olajuwon... The Rockets already screwed him once back in 91. Hakeem was in the middle of the season, playing like usual, but got injured. Before the season the Rockets and Hakeem's agent were having contract talks. These talks didn't go anywhere and were continuing into the season. Hakeem didn't hold out or not suit up, he played. Then he got hurt, it was a hamstring or something, and he felt like he needed a couple more days to heal, but the organization thought he should be playing. Well, someone from the Rockets organization was interviewed on TV, and he said that the Rockets felt that Hakeem was faking his injury to aid in his ongoing contract talks.

That was the first slap in the face. The second was the trade the Rockets had been discussing with the Toronto Raptors before the season, without consulting Hakeem. Some may say, "It's just a business, and the Rockets were just doing business." Well, to that I say, "It wasn't good business." That's not the way I'd run a team, and not the way I'd want to be treated if I had poured my heart and soul into a city for almost 20 years.

Say what you will about business and wanting the team to win, but I don't want my sports hero to go anywhere.

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I have a dream.........his name's Hakeem.

[Francis3]

Hey Man if a good deal comes up. Then Hakeem has to hit the road.

We already had a GREAT DEAL!!!! But we didnt do it.

[CaucasionSensation]

Your right Francis but, I'm glad we passed it up. After what Hakeem has given this city, I want him to know how much we care. I hope he just retires after this year, and frees up some cap. I love the guy but its time to rebuild.

[Francis3]

yeah.. I would love him to retire as a rocket and I would love him to retire after this year.

But if ever a good deal comes for the Dream, then I would do it.

But the deal has to be really good. I dont want to let go of the dream that easily.

[RocketHead2]

Remember in 91 the rox were under different management.

No excuses for the trade talks during the offseason though. Rumor is that it was the Rox who were trying to deal Dream. Meaning that The Rox coontacted Toronto about the trade. If that is indeed the case then I'de be sick to my stomach. You guys say trade him if a good deal comes along and thats fine, you're entitled to that but for me personally, I dont want another championship that bad.

[Francis3]

You dont want another championship that bad?!!!

What the hell is the point.

[Finalfantasy]

I want to know that why people are saying Dream talked with Vancouver about adding one more year and Vancouver refused, then Dream went on "they didn't tell me" routine? Sounds like BS to me, the way Vancouver wanted Dream, giving up key players and two early 1st round picks I say the only right way is that they would be ecstactic to sign a 10 year contarct with Dream.

[Ace]

I think you mean the Raptors there, FF.

I have to admit, Olajuwon is my favorite player of all time.
I don't care if we go 0-82. I would never, ever trade Hakeem Olajuwon.
It's just something you don't do.
Unless, of course, he wants out.

I just wouldn't be able to bear Dream playing in another team's uniform. Hakeem Olajuwon is a Rocket through and through.
That's why I would never want to fire Rudy T., either. Maybe I would bump him into management, but I wouldn't be able to fire him.

It's just not right, damn it!


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Francis+Charles+Dream-Pippen= Rockets 2000 NBA
Champions

[Plowman]

He's a Cougar too!From Nigeria,1 day at an east coast airport,and on to Houston and a cab ride to Guy V's office.This man's a Houstonian and I'll repeat it.He's a Houston institution!!Dream has just about spent his last 20 yrs. here...............and believe me he has so many friendhips,close college ties,and business ventures here that he will always be ours to be proud of....

[This message has been edited by Hardwood Hammer (edited November 24, 1999).]

[This message has been edited by Hardwood Hammer (edited November 24, 1999).]

[Finalfantasy]

yeah, sorry it slipped my mind, should have written Toranto.

[Finalfantasy]

oops, wrong again, TORONTO I MEANT!

Let us not to blame the typos on me, let us blame the society for not providing dependable voice recoginition devices.

[DREAMer]

WINNING IS NOT EVERYTHING.

It's not even the only thing.

THINGS THAT ARE MORE IMPORTANT THAN WINNING:
Showing class, not cheating, sportsmanship, giving 100%, being a 'team' player...

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I have a dream.........his name's Hakeem.


[This message has been edited by DREAMer (edited November 24, 1999).]

[Caveman]

DREAMer:
I agree with you that Dream should stay... as long as there are not great deals out there. We should not deal him out just to clear CAP space.

However, I disagree with you about your statement that winning is not everything. How can you even think that? Please don't romantisize Sports and Sports figures. It is a BUSINESS OF ENTERTAINMENT! Players get paid millions just to show us that winning is not everything? We pay $100 bucks a piece to go to the game so we can see a game that winning is not everything? Then why don't we just keep Hakeem on this team until he dies at old age. And, also, how about keep my favorit Rudy as the coach forever, since they both have class and show sportsmanship.

[DREAMer]

I repeat:

WINNING IS NOT EVERYTHING

If you think winning is everything, then just sell your soul to the Devil and get anything you want!

If you think winning is everything, then cheating is OKAY!

If you think winning is everything, then sportsmanship, fairplay, and loyalty don't matter, as long as you win!

WINNING IS NOT EVERYTHING

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I have a dream.........his name's Hakeem.

[Caveman]

Note to Rudy:
Please keep dumping the ball to Hakeem in the 4th quarters when the game is on the line, even though it does not work. We should be concerned about only being loyal to Hakeem, rather to win these games that no one should care. The highest priority for you is to keep Hakeem happy and feeling good about himself, since he won us two rings.

[DREAMer]

Caveman,

Good job not replying to my post.

Also, good job trying to put words in my mouth.

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I have a dream.........his name's Hakeem.

[Christopher]

Im a bit like Ace,Hakeem is my ALL time number one player.He is the reason I am (an alway will be) a Rockets fan.Im the person that will argue that he is better then Jordan,Wilt,Russel........

I could NEVER bare to see Hakeem in any other Jersey but a Rockets jersey.

I have to say thou that I have a feeling this is "The Great One's" last season.I think he will retire a Rocket at the end of the season.

[fromobile]

Francis3
I don't understand the idea that there is no such thing as gratitude in basketball. Go watch a game tape from a couple of years ago, watch how Hakeem took us on his shoulders. You'll see what we mean, cut the crap. He worked harder than he had to, and did better than what was required. He's earned a place on the Rockets, no matter how much he's worth to other people. He is a fine center. We should keep him.

[Rocketability]

fromobile,

AMEN!!!

[Pass 1st, shoot 2nd]

Caveman,
Quit being a butthole. People have their ideas and they are entitled to them. You accomplish nothing with your slighted posts. I agree that Hakeem should take a smaller role by setting picks and taking face-up jumpers, but lay-off a little. Your response to DREAMer was unwarranted and unnecessary. Chill out, angry one.