I know the Webber hunt is a big deal, but the Rockets can not allow it to be this summer's top priority. No, the Rockets MUST re-sign Hakeem this year- if only to prevent him from wearing the jersey of another team. They can not let that happen. His legend must not end in Miami, or Portland, or New York, or any other city not named Houston in the state of Texas. The Rockets must make sure he is locked up for the remainder of his career before they go out searching for their new superstar. The smart thing might be to focus entirely on getting that stud free agent before going after an aging legend, but that would not be the right thing. The Rockets must keep Hakeem the Dream Olajuwon. That is the top priority. With that said, the Minnesota game is rendered meaningless. It's just an opportunity to pad the win count, and for fans to collect a doll. That is it. ------------------ Hakeem "The Dream" Olajuwon is the greatest player in the history of basketball. If you disagree, you are not a Rocket fan. Protrolls.com!
Isn't it possible to have multiple top priorities? Can't we try to resign Dream while negotiating with Mo Taylor or Chris Webber? It seems like it would be pretty easy to resign Dream. He said he likes playing with this team, he also said he wants to return to this team. Dream doesn't seem like the kind of guy that really cares about how much money he's going to make next season, he just wants to play. I'm pretty positive the Rockets want him back too so I don't see why everyone's worried about him not returning. Anyway my question is...is it really that hard for the Rockets to do 2 things at once? Couldn't they even just talk to Dream during the playoffs about resigning and then go after Webber when his team gets eliminated?
ZRB: While I admire your loyalty, I think it's a bit misdirected here. I don't think it's a good idea to pay millions of dollars out for past deeds, for one. Hakeem simply isn't worth his current price, so that *has* to be reduced. It isn't fair to ask Les to pay excessively. I think people lose site of the fact that Hakeem should have loyalty to Houston as well as the reverse. His mid-season tirades were completely uncalled for. While I'm not one to label Hakeem a "whiny b****," I think one should look at the REASONS of those tirades. Quite frankly, Hakeem was upset because he's no longer a perfect fit on the Rockets. Oh, he's a useful player to have for Houston. A shotblocking center who can board and shoot is welcome ANYWHERE. But with the guards taking over so much, Hakeem was a 3rd-4th option this year, and he didn't like it. Yet Houston could hardly have changed for him. My loyalty is to Houston, before Hakeem. Signing Webber turns them into instant contenders. Signing Hakeem... well... at best it maintains the status quo, with the possibility of him slipping further due to his age. I hope, and fully expect, that CD will act in the best interests of ALL of the Rockets... not just one man. If signing Webber means that we can't afford more for Hakeem than an exception... well, I'd regret it, but you *can't* turn Webber down. What message does that send to our playes? Well, that Houston isn't fully committed to winning... but heck, they'll pay them more than they're worth if they stay in town for a decade longer! I believe (and hope) that Hakeem will be back with the Rockets next year. But if you're proposing that Hakeem should come before Webber... I can't agree. ------------------ I would believe only in a God who could dance. - Friedrich Nietzsche Boston College - NCAA Hockey National Champions 2001
It isn't fair to ask us to pay excessively, LES. ------------------ They couldn't stop him in the early 90s; now they can't stop him in the 21st century -- Bill Worell on Phoenix defense on Hakeem
Mobster, you are actually asking for 3 things at once: negotiate with Dream, Mo and Webber. btw: no negotiations with free agents is officially allowed until July 1st; ie., the day they become free agents. I believe it is easy to do 2 of those things, but not all 3 with the intention of signing all three. That is what is tough. There just isn't enough cap room to go around.
When I said "Can't we try to resign Dream while negotiating with Mo Taylor or Chris Webber?" I meant not both Mo and Chris at the same time. I think it would be almost impossible to get all 3 of those guys to sign with us. Something tells me Mo is planning on waiting for the Chris Webber sweepstakes to end before he decides to sign with a team. Whoever loses out on that will definitely want Mo and would probably end up paying him slightly more than what he's worth. Anyway does this July 1st date include re-signing your own players? I don't know why but I thought you could resign your players in between the end of the season and the FA signing period.
I hope Dream's a Rocket again next year, and maybe even the year after that. I don't think he'll be asking for 16 million a year. I even doubt we'd have to offer him 6 million a year. If the fans tonight show Dream some love & respect, I think he'll decide that he doesn't wanna let all his fans down. I mean, traditionally, if players are traded to another team, when they come back there are no hard feelings, but if a player leaves after becoming a free agent, well then he subjects himself to boos and taunts, and I don't think anyone involved really wants to experience that. ------------------ Founding Father of the Refs Suck Club
Money is not the issue. I wouldn't want him on the team if he asked for a ridiculous amount of money. I just want the Rockets do re-sign Hakeem BEFORE they do anything else. I couldn't stand it if the Rockets signed Webber, and got me all excited, only to see the Dream sign with the Suns or something like that. No, the Rockets have to snag him. I am loyal to Houston, but I would rather not be in the immense amount of pain that would result in seeing the Dream in another uniform. ------------------ Hakeem "The Dream" Olajuwon is the greatest player in the history of basketball. If you disagree, you are not a Rocket fan. Protrolls.com!
I understand it's illegal to have discussions with free agents before July (it is July, right?) but I'm a little unnerved with the way the Rockets have been so neutral about Hakeem returning next year. Dream's already said he'd like to come back. It seems to me that if the Rockets were more than slightly interested in re-signing Dream, they'd have said something remotely positive "Obviously, we'd really like to see Dream with us next year, but we'll examine all our options." Maybe they have, but I haven't seen it, and I read the Chronicle every day. I suppose they don't want to alienate Mo, and it's been pointed out that there's no way we could pursue Hakeem, Mo and Webber, but I still wonder. I really wonder whether the Rockets really want Dream back at all next year. Webber and Mo may be bigger priorities to them (not ZRB, of course). Heck, I could even see Moochie being a bigger priority than Dream, but I wonder. You guys have fun tonight. I'll be cheering in front of my television set when Calvin mentions the Clutchcity gang present at the game. Go Rockets! 45-37, baby! Revenge on Minnesota! ------------------
Actually, re-signing Dream may be the most important thing we do this summer. Remember, Chris Webber wants a real center playing beside him, so having Dream back would give us an even better chance at landing Webber. Therefore, I could see Dream as being our #1 priority. ------------------
We'll see how much $$$ Hakeem wants, or will accept. I don't doubt he'll return. But to get Webber, either he'll have to take NBA-pocket change or we'll have to move Cato and/or Walt, etc. Still, I think he'll be here. He acts like it. ------------------
Your backup can't make more than your starter. It isn't right to ask Hakeem to take 2-3 million when Cato is making 6. ------------------
