"One source close to the team told ClutchCity.net that what has been frustrating is Hakeem's limited knowledge of the salary cap or refusal to accept it, and that he only views the offers as insults (even though bigger deals will make signing Moochie, Shandon and Mo difficult to impossible)." This quote is absolutely ridiculous. I find it quite difficult to believe that Hakeem has limited knowledge of the salary cap. He is a business man now. He owns and is involved in many business ventures. He should be very aware of the salary cap, any savvy business man would make sure they understood rules and agreements concerning their livelihood. He is not an 18 year old boy anymore trying to adjust to life in a different country. ------------------ [This message has been edited by molared (edited July 20, 2001).]
Ahhh... I don't believe that he fails to understand it, but the "refusal to accept it" bit is pretty convincing. Hakeem's shown that he has a great deal of pride; maybe vanity. He doesn't want to accept less than he thinks is his due, and that's been made impossible by the cap. Not a matter of him being naive so much as flailing in a new, awkward position. He's never negotiated a contract before except from a position of strength... now his skills have declined and he's upset. Human nature. ------------------ Clutchcity.net... source for all your Rockets, Astros, political, music, humor, and Gordita news.
Haven, I TOTALLY AGREE. Pride and vanity are they key motivators; I also think he truly believes he is still as good as he was 3-5 years ago (injuries and siginificant lost playing time notwithstanding). As you know, in negotiations between two countries, cultural values of the other become critical for both parties to understand. I think this may be at play here big time.
I also found the quote ridiculuous, not because of the quote itself but because what it says about Hakeem. Hakeem was in my opinion one of the classiest guys in sports, but his actions over the last year have changed my mind a bit. Hey, I can't fault him for wanting to get more money or more years on a contract. The guy deserves another pay day if he can get it. However, Hakeem also has the ability to do something that has become a rarity in sports, retire with a team in a city that he spent 20 years playing basketball in. In that sense, he could take a lesson from Cal Ripken or Tony Gwynn. Why be remembered like Patrick Ewing? At this point, I would hope it wouldn't be about the money; your paycheck doesn't determine your self-worth. If this is about pride, he should either grow up or sign with Toronto. He should take pride in the fact that an organization and city mean more to him than a million bucks (especially when he doesn't need the money). His negotiations seem to be hurting the team, and in that sense, I wouldn't mind him going elsewhere. However, if this does eventually work out, all will be forgotten and clutchcity will be a merry place once again. ------------------
