The word on the Houston streets is that Hakeem is broke. Its not that he has no money, its that he wont be able to keep up his lifestyle... I think. He has had many business ventures including a joint venture with his brother (Denny's restaraunt Chain) that have been unsuccessful. Also, the Dream Car Wash, that my father personally had a bad experience with. Anyways, I guess when you achieve a wealthy status a lot of people depend on you, such as family. This is all just speculation, but it seems to be the only logical reason to me that Hakeem wants the money....... ------------------ "I can honestly say I feel I guarded the man pretty well, but the guy is playing better than anyone I have seen in a long time" David Robinson on The Dream 95
I don't really know much about those specific ventures, but I've heard (and I assume it was in the paper, but I didn't follow it) that Hakeem had a couple feuds with the city of Houston over some land downtown. Anyone know about that? ------------------ "We must move forward, not backward, upward not forward, and always twirling, twirling, twirling towards freedom." --Kang
All of that is irrelevant. What is wrong with the man wanting to be in the game instead of Bullard and Thomas? He is obviously worth more and had it not been for the foolish signing of Cato and the foolish promise to Anderson, you would not be talking about failed ventures. ------------------
Excuse me, but how do you know what we 'promised' Shandon Anderson? You have absolutely ZERO evidence to support your case. ------------------ Who's ya daddy?
I don't know how to say this any other way: Hakeem is definitely not in financial trouble. Nyet,nix,nada,noway. He is very solvent and his buisnesses are well protected. The only squabbles he has had of any significance with the city was over the timing of the acquisition of a particular commercial property. Reason: The "costing out" responsibilities for some infrastructure(entrance/exit) study associated with that same property. One another occasion: There was one property (another derelict mall) that he and his family bid on (option to purchase) that had a very lowball figure. Unfortunately, he was the only bidder and the city wanted to reopen the bids offer. There was some minor squabbling. When the dust settled Hakeem's organization merely rebid on the property and won it (received the option to purchase). Last I heard he had not exercised that option to purchase. It's amazing how snarling dogs and the fickle public both will turn on the disparged. ------------------
He can call the Texas Comptrollers office if he needs any money I know for a fact that he has unclaimed money in Texas....as do some other Rockets as well... ------------------ humble, but hungry.
ChuckyFan, There is plenty of evidence about SA getting big money. We are currently aprox 15 mill under the cap. Mo is rumored to make about 7-8 a year. SA, moochie, and bullard have bird rights. moochie and bullard don't deserve more than a million a piece which their bird rights will take care of. SA however is entitled to only 4.5 under the early bird. That means SA is asking for more than 4.5 million a year. ------------------
Cool, thanks oelipere -- I'd heard about some difficulties with the city, but I didn't know what they were. ------------------ "We must move forward, not backward, upward not forward, and always twirling, twirling, twirling towards freedom." --Kang
I could be wrong, but didn't Hakeem own some land around Enron Field, like the property that was supposed to be made into a park? I could be wrong again (and I'm assuming my last sentence was correct), but Hakeem took a hard-line stance in that negotiation, too, to sell the land back to the City of Houston. I'm not sure whatever became of that property and the negotiations. I certainly didn't notice a park outside of Enron Field when I went earlier this year... (Then again, I am oblivious to things around me. ) Can someone tell me if I'm right or wrong?
vesceysux -- you're right...he owned the world trade center building on the corner of Texas and Crawford. He had plans to develop it, but sold it. Last I heard they were going to either develop it into a hotel with a sidewalk cafe out front. what bullard and anderson would get paid is irrelevant...the rockets made a mistake going so far as to offer a 38 year old man a 3 year contract. The guy has missed roughly 40% of the games over the course of the past 3 seasons. It's simply not smart...Olajuwon found a better deal elsewhere. Fine. With or without Olajuwon, this team isn't winning a title this year. And in fact, he could limit their ability to improve and compete for titles through the following two seasons.
