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[ThePostGame]Hakeem Olajuwon Offers Optimistic Prediction On Dwight Howard Picking Houston

Discussion in 'Houston Rockets: Game Action & Roster Moves' started by jaychi, Jul 3, 2013.

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http://www.thepostgame.com/blog/dai...-houston-rockets-dwight-howard-nba-free-agent

Hakeem Olajuwon Offers Optimistic Prediction On Dwight Howard Picking Houston: '85 Percent'

Hakeem Olajuwon is hardly the unbiased observer when it comes to the Dwight Howard sweepstakes as he was part of the Rockets' delegation to woo the free agent big man. But if you're a Rockets fan, you have to like the vibe Olajuwon got from their sit-down.

"It's an 85 percent chance he ends up in Houston," Olajuwon told ThePostGame on Wednesday. "You never know, but after that meeting we had, I feel very comfortable that we have the best chance to get him."

Olajuwon, who went to the NBA Finals three times and won two titles with the Rockets, and Clyde Drexler were among those who attended Houston's presentation to Howard on Monday in Los Angeles. While they mentioned some off-the-court perks such as how the cost of living and state taxes are more favorable in Texas than California, the central issue was basketball.

Olajuwon said he got the sense Howard liked what the Rockets were selling.

"We're going to come to you," Olajuwon said. "You have James Harden there. You have the backcourt. You're going to get the ball. The coach is there knowing we need your presence in the middle. So we were speaking his language. It's what he wanted. So he was so excited."

The Rockets might be considered the frontrunner for Howard, who has also met with Dallas, Atlanta, Golden State and the Lakers, but that means nothing if he ultimately opts to sign elsewhere.

"If you truly want to win a championship, this is the right team," Olajuwon said. "And I think he feels the sincerity that this is a true opportunity to make something special."

Regardless of team, Howard will have to cope with the considerable scrutiny that comes with being a franchise center.

"He needs to be comfortable," Olajuwon said. "There's a lot of expectations because his position is the primary position for any team. It's the foundation of any team. So he needs to accept that responsibility. When you play with a team that looks for you to establish yourself, before they can establish a team, that makes him more comfortable, knowing his role is so valuable."

#1 jaychi, Jul 3, 2013

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Hakeem described Howard as excited, the lakers described Howard as indecisive, he's one hell of a poker player.

#2 Aleron, Jul 3, 2013
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jaychi said: ↑

http://www.thepostgame.com/blog/dai...-houston-rockets-dwight-howard-nba-free-agent

Hakeem Olajuwon Offers Optimistic Prediction On Dwight Howard Picking Houston: '85 Percent'

Hakeem Olajuwon is hardly the unbiased observer when it comes to the Dwight Howard sweepstakes as he was part of the Rockets' delegation to woo the free agent big man. But if you're a Rockets fan, you have to like the vibe Olajuwon got from their sit-down.

"It's an 85 percent chance he ends up in Houston," Olajuwon told ThePostGame on Wednesday. "You never know, but after that meeting we had, I feel very comfortable that we have the best chance to get him."

Olajuwon, who went to the NBA Finals three times and won two titles with the Rockets, and Clyde Drexler were among those who attended Houston's presentation to Howard on Monday in Los Angeles. While they mentioned some off-the-court perks such as how the cost of living and state taxes are more favorable in Texas than California, the central issue was basketball.

Olajuwon said he got the sense Howard liked what the Rockets were selling.

"We're going to come to you," Olajuwon said. "You have James Harden there. You have the backcourt. You're going to get the ball. The coach is there knowing we need your presence in the middle. So we were speaking his language. It's what he wanted. So he was so excited."

The Rockets might be considered the frontrunner for Howard, who has also met with Dallas, Atlanta, Golden State and the Lakers, but that means nothing if he ultimately opts to sign elsewhere.

"If you truly want to win a championship, this is the right team," Olajuwon said. "And I think he feels the sincerity that this is a true opportunity to make something special."

Regardless of team, Howard will have to cope with the considerable scrutiny that comes with being a franchise center.

"He needs to be comfortable," Olajuwon said. "There's a lot of expectations because his position is the primary position for any team. It's the foundation of any team. So he needs to accept that responsibility. When you play with a team that looks for you to establish yourself, before they can establish a team, that makes him more comfortable, knowing his role is so valuable."
Click to expand...

Dream has spoken, 85% from him means it's essentially a done deal.

#3 makman, Jul 3, 2013
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What the hell is with 85%???? LOL!

Jeremy 85% from injury
Greg Smith 85% dunk fg
Now Dwight 85% coming here?

#4 Morlock O, Jul 3, 2013
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85 %? the rockets put on a great presentation then. I'm glad dream went too. Dwight had to decide. Glamour vs. Winning.

#5 underrated015, Jul 3, 2013
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Morlock O said: ↑

What the hell is with 85%???? LOL!

Jeremy 85% from injury
Greg Smith 85% dunk fg
Now Dwight 85% coming here?
Click to expand...

"He ain't Kevin Durant, Kevin Durant's $85m dollars" -S.A. Smith on Harden

OMG ILLUMINATI

#6 Panda23, Jul 3, 2013
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underrated015 said: ↑

85 %? the rockets put on a great presentation then. I'm glad dream went too. Dwight had to decide. Glamour vs. Winning.
Click to expand...

Do you think Hakeem would demonstrate the arrogance of saying 100% ?

#7 Aleron, Jul 3, 2013

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Panda23 said: ↑

"He ain't Kevin Durant, Kevin Durant's $85m dollars" -S.A. Smith on Harden

OMG ILLUMINATI
Click to expand...

Ralph Sampson won the franchise's only All Star Game MVP award....... in 1985!

#8 htownbandit, Jul 3, 2013
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Olajuwon dosent say much generally, but when he does, people tend to listen and take note.

#9 Spiegel, Jul 3, 2013
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htownbandit said: ↑

Ralph Sampson won the franchise's only All Star Game MVP award....... in 1985!
Click to expand...

Lin's been shooting 78% in practice..... Lin's jersey number is 7.....

78 + 7 = 85

#10 Panda23, Jul 3, 2013
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Olajuwon ought to know exactly how to sell to Howard since they spend so much time together each offseason. I would assume Hakeem coached the upper management a bit on what kind of pitch to make. Hakeem and Clyde were able to play an inside out game with Clyde being the high scoring guard with both being very laid back. down to earth and easy to talk to, I would think they were telling Howard and Harden we see us in you. You can do what we did. Look at each other and know that we pulled it off nearing the end of our careers. Y'all have YEARS to work together to repeat the same success!

Hakeem and Clyde are still good friends.
Shaq and Kobe? Please, those two hate each other.
Howard and Kobe? Nope.

Howard and Harden? Bingo! Both have a laid back, go with the flow but win attitude that makes good chemistry.

Howard and Harden = Olajuwon and Drexler x .75

#11 Rokman, Jul 3, 2013

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"Excited", especially coming from Dream, sounds good to me. He understates more than exaggerates.

LA meeting went something like this in my mind

#12 jocar, Jul 3, 2013

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Feeling pretty confident..

I'm so glad that Dream was there. Even more impressive was Dikembe's speech to Dwight. He's represented so many teams in the NBA I'm honored to have such a great ambassador representing the Rockets. Off topic I know but whatever.

#13 mfastx, Jul 3, 2013

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Panda23 said: ↑

Lin's been shooting 78% in practice..... Lin's jersey number is 7.....

78 + 7 = 85

Click to expand...

Hakeem (34) + Drexler (22) + Yao (11) + Harden (13) + Parsons (25) + Howard (12) - McHale (32) = 85

#14 j3i, Jul 3, 2013
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Not to mention that Hakeem said he wasn't coming to Houston during the last Dwightmare.

#15 Red.Glare, Jul 3, 2013
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jaychi said: ↑

http://www.thepostgame.com/blog/dai...-houston-rockets-dwight-howard-nba-free-agent

Hakeem Olajuwon Offers Optimistic Prediction On Dwight Howard Picking Houston: '85 Percent'

Hakeem Olajuwon is hardly the unbiased observer when it comes to the Dwight Howard sweepstakes as he was part of the Rockets' delegation to woo the free agent big man. But if you're a Rockets fan, you have to like the vibe Olajuwon got from their sit-down.

"It's an 85 percent chance he ends up in Houston," Olajuwon told ThePostGame on Wednesday. "You never know, but after that meeting we had, I feel very comfortable that we have the best chance to get him."

Olajuwon, who went to the NBA Finals three times and won two titles with the Rockets, and Clyde Drexler were among those who attended Houston's presentation to Howard on Monday in Los Angeles. While they mentioned some off-the-court perks such as how the cost of living and state taxes are more favorable in Texas than California, the central issue was basketball.

Olajuwon said he got the sense Howard liked what the Rockets were selling.

"We're going to come to you," Olajuwon said. "You have James Harden there. You have the backcourt. You're going to get the ball. The coach is there knowing we need your presence in the middle. So we were speaking his language. It's what he wanted. So he was so excited."

The Rockets might be considered the frontrunner for Howard, who has also met with Dallas, Atlanta, Golden State and the Lakers, but that means nothing if he ultimately opts to sign elsewhere.

"If you truly want to win a championship, this is the right team," Olajuwon said. "And I think he feels the sincerity that this is a true opportunity to make something special."

Regardless of team, Howard will have to cope with the considerable scrutiny that comes with being a franchise center.

"He needs to be comfortable," Olajuwon said. "There's a lot of expectations because his position is the primary position for any team. It's the foundation of any team. So he needs to accept that responsibility. When you play with a team that looks for you to establish yourself, before they can establish a team, that makes him more comfortable, knowing his role is so valuable."
Click to expand...

#16 houston#1, Jul 3, 2013
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j3i said: ↑

Hakeem (34) + Drexler (22) + Yao (11) + Harden (13) + Parsons (25) + Howard (12) - McHale (32) = 85
Click to expand...

#17 Sydeffect, Jul 3, 2013
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jaychi said: ↑

http://www.thepostgame.com/blog/dai...-houston-rockets-dwight-howard-nba-free-agent

Hakeem Olajuwon Offers Optimistic Prediction On Dwight Howard Picking Houston: '85 Percent'
Click to expand...

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/XtBsyGG92gA" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

.

#18 GIGO, Jul 3, 2013

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#19 tmoney1101, Jul 3, 2013
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Rokman said: ↑

Olajuwon ought to know exactly how to sell to Howard since they spend so much time together each offseason. I would assume Hakeem coached the upper management a bit on what kind of pitch to make. Hakeem and Clyde were able to play an inside out game with Clyde being the high scoring guard with both being very laid back. down to earth and easy to talk to, I would think they were telling Howard and Harden we see us in you. You can do what we did. Look at each other and know that we pulled it off nearing the end of our careers. Y'all have YEARS to work together to repeat the same success!

Hakeem and Clyde are still good friends.
Shaq and Kobe? Please, those two hate each other.
Howard and Kobe? Nope.

Howard and Harden? Bingo! Both have a laid back, go with the flow but win attitude that makes good chemistry.

Howard and Harden = Olajuwon and Drexler x .75
Click to expand...

They worked out for like a week a couple years ago. That's it.

#20 Fullcourt, Jul 3, 2013

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