I can't believe that the Raptors are actually offering a 4 year, $22 million deal. Have they seen Hakeem play ball the past couple of seasons? Have they noticed that he's perpetually injured? Hakeem is a good player who used to be great. He's not a sure bet to be a contributor next season, and he's certainly not going to be effective 3 or 4 seasons from now. I think the Raptors are making a mistake that they will end up regretting. If they actually give us anything of substance in a sign-and-trade, then they've made 2 mistakes. ------------------ I'm so amazingly cool you could keep a side of meat in me for a month. I am so hip that I have difficulty seeing over my pelvis.
Shhhhhhhh......don't post this stuff...what if Raptors mgmt checks this website and comes to their senses... ------------------
The Raptors currently stand at about $47 mil w/o Hakeem and have a budget of $52 mil - above the cap but well below the luxury tax. There is up to $10 mil coming off next season (depending who goes to Houston). Give Carter a raise from $4 mil to $11.75 mil and the team could actually be below the salary cap if it's set at the current projection of $47 mil. Hakeem would bring the team over, but still well within budget and well below the luxury tax. Add to that the only $15 mil is guaranteed to Hakeem, with the 4th year guaranteed only if the team makes the finals. That's a no-lose proposition if you ask me. [This message has been edited by courtside (edited August 01, 2001).]
Firstly, I have to recognize the excellence of this forum. You are to be commended (mostly) for the maturity demonstrated that is so sorely lacking on most bulletin boards. As a Raptors fan, I have mixed feelings about landing the Dream. He should finish his illustrious career in Houston before moving on the hall of fame. On the other hand, he feels he still has something left, and needs to show it. That's why he'll be successful in T.O. The east is 'weak' and as one of the only true centers, he'll have an easier time of it than in the west. I also think that he'll accept fewer minutes, even though this was a beef with him in the past. Players often get caught in a pride paradox, and Dream is squarley in one now: - Wants more playing time, but knows he'll be more effective in a slighlty more diminished role. - Wants to finish his career in Houston, but wants to feel needed for what he can do, not what he once did - Wants to go out on a high note and can't see a trip to the finals anytime soon for Houston. Thus, and alas, fans of Dream may be dissappointed, but as many of you here have expressed, we should wish him well. ------------------
Hakeem DOES NOT want to finish his career in Houston... It has been evident since the beginning of last season... ------------------ "Awesome baby!" Dick Vitale
kidrock: so why exactly did he nix that last deal with the Raptors? I think he really did want to stay in Houston, but circumstances simply did not allow it. ------------------ Clutchcity.net... source for all your Rockets, Astros, political, music, humor, and Gordita news.
I bet the Canadians are asking if we ever saw Cato play before we gave him 6/42 mil. I honestly don't think what Toronto is offering is too high if they think Dream is the one missing peice. For us 5/mil a year is too much but Toronto has a lot of peices in place (Carter & Davis) and play in a weak conference.
Aren't they over the cap for years now anyway? They just gave ridiculous money to Davis, Williams, and Williams. I don't see how it hurts them that much. ------------------ "Is that good for us?" --Rudy T, after Starks missed that 3 in the '94 Finals
