http://www.cnnsi.com/basketball/nba/news/2000/03/22/olajuwon_update/ ATLANTA (CNNSI.com) -- Houston Rockets Center Hakeem Olajuwon "continues to exhibit respiratory problems" and will take a break from basketball "for a while," according to team surgeon Dr. James Muntz. On Feb. 28, Olajuwon missed a game against the Los Angeles Clippers and flew back to Houston after complaining of fatigue. On March 1, his breathing problem was diagnosed as an asthma-like condition, which team physician Walter Lowe said is treatable with inhalers. "A lot of people have this. It is not major," Olajuwon said at the time. "When they ran all these tests, thank God I found out that I am healthy." A news conference with Dr. Muntz is scheduled for Wednesday evening. Olajuwon had surgery on Dec. 1 to repair a hernia. He returned on Jan. 13. ------------------
Not to be Mean but. . TAKE THE REST OF THE SEASON . . . Get back to GOOD. Get ready for next year. I'm a Dream Fan but I don't see where he can help the rest of the season any way IF resting him for the season gets him back to even 25% of the old dream . . . THEN LET's DO IT!! Rocket River I'm a former Aggie. . . so . . I have to the dream we've seen the last few games or so . . is a 2 percenter ------------------
Let me preface this comment by saying that I'm not trying to be my usual sarcastic self-- Is it possible that we have seen Hakeem play his last NBA game? ------------------
Very possible. The last thing this spooky medically was JR Richards. Mango ------------------ It could be worse ....... you could have been born a Jazz fan!!!!
i just heard on the news that the Rockets doctors want Hakeem to take 2-3 week off. ------------------
I hope this isn't the way Hakeem goes out. I'm just glad Im old enough to remember his entire career. I really hope he comes back strong next year. ------------------
A $4.5million medical exception would look nice beside our trade exception... ------------------ "Sources tell me that the Blazers held a team meeting after the two losses..." - "Pistol" Pete Vescey with the inside scoop.
Doesn't someone need to take these doctors to task. These are abnormal ailments. How many athletes would still be around with these abnormal health problems: 1) blood cloth 2) Irregular heartbeat 3) Anemia 4) Hernia 5) Ashtma/respiratory (At 37 years?) This doesn't even take into account the knee surgery, hamstring, back, fingers etc... ------------------
Seems to me like the team (organization) wants to tank, and Hakeem doesn't know how to do that without being obvious. It's very unlikely we'll go any higher (lower) than the 5th lowest record, and with a very improtant stretch of games against our nearest draft competitors, it seems like a perfect time for Hakeem to take a little paid vacation. It's also a way to get the young guys used to playing without Dream's presence. Either that or Hakeem's medical condition is worse than anyone of us realize. I say we all have a moment of silence for the great one this evening. ------------------ I have a dream.........his name's Hakeem.
3Rings-- Not sure what your age question about asthma means, but my 6 year old has asthma and so does my 73 year old father-in-law. ------------------
I agree with Rocket River. Look at Patrick Ewing- he practically missed the last entire two seasons and he still has loads of game left. A seven month paid vacation could do Hakeem wonders... ------------------ WE WILL WATCH THEM FALL... next year, at least.
My question is: If this is "Easily treatable with inhalers" then why does Hakeem refuse to use them? the Tank is in full affect.
grummett, I was thinking asthma is a potentially life long condition. Its not something you contract at 37 years old. Is it? ------------------ Respect Hakeem's legacy. A championship in the hand is worth two in the bush!!
Dreamshake, Dream said that the medication made him sick to his stomach and he would not use it. The Rockets haven't been doing that well with his 15-20 minutes a game, so I don't see it as a continuation of tanking. If Dream had been putting up good stats lately, then this would be a tank. Mango ------------------ It could be worse ....... you could have been born a Jazz fan!!!!
man, that's strange...what if it was his last game, kinda scary. Delving into the post Olajuwon Rockets era.... ------------------ Rockets fans wanted at hoopsboards.com Draft Chat, NBA Chat, Team Chat, and more!
Read between the lines people. Why play him if it means nothing. He has not been playing in crunch time anyway, and it is clear the Rockets are not REALLY trying to win. Hakeem has plenty left, it just remains to be seen as to whether he gets motivated to play next year. Here is one fan who wants one more year, but only if he is willing to play hard night in and night out. DaDakota ------------------
It's exercise induced asthma...and Hakeem wouldn't take the medication for it. It seems to me if Dream really wanted to help the team he would take what the doctor ordered. No disrespect to Dream but I think the Rockets will win more games without him...I always thought they were playing better before he came back from his hernia problems. We'll see. Old School ------------------ Just Build It!
Well, I guess we will not be winning too many more games the rest of the season. I mean, I'd much rather have Hakeem in there instead of Pig Miller. OH well, this will all pay off in the long term. The more we lose, the more our chances of getting Fiza/Martin. ------------------
According to local news...."the medication was making him sick,so he quit taking it." It wasn't a matter of not wanting to take the medicine. Am I the only one that heard that Hakeem is considering retiring after this year because of the breathing problem?? I thought that was what they said,but you know how those damn media services are..always spouting off at the mouth b4 they get the REAL story... ------------------ Go Rockets Go Need more LottoBalls!!
