" If the Rocket's traded their best ever player in Hakeem Olajuwon, then they can trade anyone" His tone was nice although I didn't hear the entire interview, I can't believe this hasn't been posted.
Move to the dish. Not much there. In the words of Johnathan from Bravo's "Blow Out", "Stay away from the drama, Alicia." It's a charity event. Please.
Nice try Steve. Hakeem was not the same player. Better to make trades because a player isn't the same than just hang on to guys too long just because they played well for a period of time, isn't that right Astros fans?
He didn't really answer most of the questions they asked. Not that he was rude or avoiding, I ust thought it was funny. How good will Orlando be? Can you make the playoffs? Have you seen Dwight Gooden play? - In six years I've learned that you take one game at a time. Anything that you can now say upset you about how media/fans/etc. treated you while you were here (or, what was fair or unfair)? - When you are the best player you get blamed. Would you have made the trade if you were CD? - I am sure he had a hard time but CD, "the coach," and "the owner" must have thought it was good. Is Stu Jackson the reason for no Olympics? - I'll let you answer that. Can't remember anything else. He is doing charity work in town and will continue to live in Houston because it is his first NBA city and Houston was always good to him.
Yep, Hakeem was acting like an ass at that time as well. Hakeem was not really at his prime then either. He really entered it in the middle of the 93 season. from the 89 season to the 92 season, Hakeem had his worst years skill-wise IMO. From 86-to-88, Hakeem was awesome, very explosive, had more high point games and was better in the playoffs (then he was from 89-91), and then Hakeem rediscovered himself from 93 to 97, when he truly reach his full potential.
During these years (89-92), Hakeem was a blockshot demon. The best do it all post player that I've seen. The only problem he had was not understanding the team offensive game. If he did, Walton would be praising him more so than he does McHale...Hakeem's will was top 3 in the league(Jordan, Akeem, Barkley)...his athleticism was top 2 for a big men (Robinson Akeem)..his brains? quite a bit lower...he never really orchestrated the offense...he was called upon to score...
As much as I love Dream, he was expecting too much, too late in his career. The Rockets were in transition. Don't read too much into this.
Yeah, well, Wilt Chamberlin, Kareem Abdul Jabbar, Shaquille O'Neal and many, MANY other great players throughout history have been dealt. It is the nature of the business.
I know, and can you believe a team would trade a 26 year old 2 time scoring champ? This league is all about the business.
Steve, I watched Hakeem from the time he arrived in Houston, I saw him take UH to two final fours, I saw him take the Rockets to two NBA titles. Sir, you are no Hakeem!
Steve is Akeem-lite. If he were as good, Rockets would have been more patient to wait for him to develop into Hakeem.
In all fairness, he may have taken someone to the superbowl, and he may have stayed at a Holiday Inn Express. But, I really don't think that measures up to the two NBA championships and all. But, that's just me.
That's just revisionist history, dude. Hakeem was a definite NBA MVP calibre player during those years. He led the NBA in rebounds and block shots a couple of those years and he was a solid 20 point a night scorer. Pick any of Hakeem's worst years during this period. If Yao Ming *ever* gives us that kind of all around production we will be fortunate. I also must point out that Steve is doing some revisionist history, too. Hakeem was pushing for a trade to Toronto to extend his career. It's not like Hakeem was betrayed by the organization,
I don't think the issue is Steve at all. Yao is Akeem-lite. Or could be. Heck, Yao could even eclipse Hakim. He's great as it is; the scary thing is that given his inexperience and development level, he still hasn't reached the extent of his upside. And as great as Steve is, his game and Yao's don't compliment each other. That's why he ultimately had to go.
