I read this on ESPN.com. What do you think about it? Hakeem Olajuwon, who was named one of the 50 greatest players in NBA history in 1997, told Bloomberg News on Thursday that he would also be interested in joining Michael Jordan next season if the former Bulls star decides to make a comeback with the Wizards. Olajuwon, who has played for the Rockets his entire career, is a free agent. "I'd certainly like to play with him. Who wouldn't?" Olajuwon said during a telephone interview. "It's intriguing. I know there's a lot of reports saying that Michael is coming back, but I'm not sure what's going to happen." ------------------
Keepin' his options open, being very diplomatic about it. He can go to Washington if he wishes, but I think he will have a better chance at winning here. ------------------ "I always thought it was something that went around my house" - World B. Free on Defence
Right now a lot of us is indifferent to Dream...I hope he stays, but it's not going to be earth shattering like it would have been a few years ago. ------------------ Rarely is the question asked: Guns kill squirrels than REDRUM to fools across the nation?
I'm a bit disappointed with Dream. He should retire with the Rockets this season and take a million for a retirement tour. I love the fact that Barkley took only a million for a fairwell tour. Dream has all the money in the world and said he's not going to take a paycut to stay. That means he's going to want at least 10-million. If that is the case then he is nothing more than money grubing. He should play for the love of the game at this point. Just like Barkley wants to play with Jordan. Not for the money, but for the love of the game. Dream should want the same. But it's all about the money and he is not the player he once was and is not worth that kind of money. I guess we'll see what happens. ------------------
Actually, Barkley was paid $9 million in his farewell tour. And only played half the season (if even). I'm fine with Dream playing for the Wizards. He said he wouldn't play for less to stay in Houston, but I think he'd have to to play in Washington. But that's fine too. I've moved on and started thinking about the new generation here. As far as I'm concerned, Olajuwon has already retired. He now plays pro ball as a hobby. ------------------ RealGM Gafford Art Artisan Cakes
I like Juan's assessment. Hakeem is not money-grubbing so much as he is a business man. If someone offers you 5 million and someone else offers you 10, most people take the 10. Most people, that is, in the realm of pro sports. Personally, if someone offered me $5 million for just about anything, I'd take it. That's enough money that no one else in my family will have to work for generations to come. In the NBA, though, the standard of living is a little higher than it is for the fans of those super-wealthy athletes. We have to face facts about Hakeem. Sure, he's our all-time hero. He was the greastest center ever - he redefined the position. MJ called him a point center, and that is a good description. Now, though, Hakeem is an injury away from ending his career. If you're Les Alexander do you invest $10 million a year in that kind of liability? I don't. Washington is not about winning. It's about putting butts in the seats. Hakeem, MJ, and Barkley will certainly do that. Then they're back to square one the following year. In the mean time they get lots of media attention and maybe even turn a profit for once. Houston is about building a playoff dynasty. The Rockets will not win the championship nex year. Hakeem knows that. He may believe that the MJ/Barkley/Dream Wizards have a shot, though I don't. If that is his thinking, he may well be finished in Houston. If he stays with that $10 million figure, he's finished in Houston either way. TRG ------------------ <A HREF="http://www.TheRocketGuy.com " TARGET=_blank>http://www.TheRocketGuy.com </A> "You try to improve and do better. It's a journey, not just the destination." - Hakeem Olajuwon
If Hakeem thinks he's getting $10 mil somewhere else he is insane. The Wizards sure as hell won't pay him that much. ------------------ God help me, ...I was only nineteen. Current Rocket's Salary & Contract Info [This message has been edited by davo (edited June 15, 2001).]
Wasn't it John F. Kennedy that said "Hakeem Olajuwon, you are a great player and a great man". I love that quote. ------------------ When this guy started smoking 40 years ago, people had no idea it was bad for you. People had to guess based on the hacking cough, shortness of breath, and bloody phlegm girl you looks good won't you mock that draft up?!
I would love to see Jordan and Dream play together... Thats it plain and simple. We(Houston Rockets) never got a chance to play the Bulls in the Finals and that always bothered me(damn Utah Jazz). So if they couldn't play against each other at least they could play together. They have never played together whether it was All-Star games or Dream Teams...never. I would like to see 2 of the top players to ever play the game. They would be an older version of Kobe/Shaq except with better skills,[mechanics](yeah I said better skills) and more rings.... I would pay to see Dream and Jordan play together...oh yeah and Sir Charles can be there too.... ------------------
Barkley did play the previous year for a mil.. something i sure dont see hakeem ever doing ------------------ Shane "Save Our Rockets" "Life without basketball in Houston........without an arena that is what it will be"
Aren't the Wizards still over the cap? If Dream insists he's not taking a pay cut, how can Washington afford him? They'd have to move a significant amount of salary, and are they really willing to do that? It's never made much sense to me. Like others have said, Hakeem's a businessman. If he wants more than the minimum, fine, I can respect that. But I WILL be more than a little pissed and hurt if he's willing to take the minimum just so he can pal around with his Hall-of-Famer buddies. That's not about 'winning another championship,' or 'getting what he's worth.' And it does mean 'Talk is Cheap.' ------------------ "All you need is love."
Achebe - Perhaps it was JFK, Jr? The former Prez was gone about the time Dream arrived. Anybody here seen my old friend Abraham, John, Bobby, Martin....... ------------------ GATER
I have no problem with Dream taking less to play with Jordan, Barkley, and the number one pick. This opportunity is one in a million. If the Big Three + Eddie Griffin? can stay healthy all year, I can see the Wizards going deep into the playoffs maybe even finals. However, the chances of the Wizards winning a title vs. any team from the West is funny I would like to see him finish his career with the Rockets, but not if its gonna hurt our future. ------------------
Steve Fancis will laugh his ass off at Hakeem and his Wizards next season. If Dream and Sir Charles are on that team we would beat them so terribly. Just make them give the ball to Dream down low and watch him miss from the baseline all night. ------------------
fromobile, so Cato and Collier are your men to make Hakeem miss his shots all night? ------------------ Yes I'm new here
