I am very happy for Dream. As we all know, the Rockets would have been similar to the Warriors this past decade and a half were it not for Dream. Who's Carlos playing for?
Colt45, And, you have forgotten it too, or at least spun it to where it no longer resembles the truth. Hakeem wanted to PLAY, be it with the Rockets, Heat, or whoever. How can you forget seeing the Dream sitting on the bench for nearly the entire 4th quarter of every game in the first half of the season? That was the Rocket "organization" showing a complete and utter lack of respect to Hakeem Olajuwon. It was obvious that the man could still play and still play at a level higher than the average NBA center. So, why disprespect him by not allowing him to finish games? Let me ask you (and any Hakeem "haters") a question. Who was the first to start the mudslinging between Hakeem and the Rocket organization? From what I remember, Hakeem played with sub-par talent and with a below market value contract for many many years, and didn't complain. But, during the year when Hakeem had the leg injury, the Rockets told reporters on television that Hakeem Olajuwon was faking his injury as leverage in contract talks. That my friend (or foe, if that's how it has to be), is what started it all. Maybe Hakeem was a little naive at that time about the business side of basketball, but if you look at before that incident and after that incident, it's obvious that Hakeem was not going to let himself be embarrassed like that by the team he had played his guts out for again. I remember sitting at home and seeing what's-his-name say that. At that moment, I wanted Hakeem to be traded. I thought it would be better for him to play for a team that respected him, not one who tried to belittle him in the media. And, all this was before he brought Houston it's two NBA championships.
DREAMer, I've spun nothing. Refresh my memory here. When exactly was it that Hakeem Olajuwon was named head coach of the Rockets? Last I checked, Rudy held that position. For better or worse, decisions on playing time are made by the head coach. I guess I just have a hard time supporting a man who's motto has long been, "Stay Humble" when he uses his disatisfaction with a coach's decision as an opportunity to smoke and joke in the visitors locker room and then run to the nearest TV camera to talk about how he wished he could be playing in Miami. IN THE MIDDLE OF THE SEASON. Who started the mudslinging? Oh, no question, in the most recent situation it was most definitely Hakeem. I notice that in your efforts to paint Hakeem as a poor, unappreciated martyr who was accused of faking an injury, you make mention a couple of times of the "Rockets organization" . That's kind of vague. Let's get more specific. You said that the ROCKETS said on television Hakeem was dogging it. Who do you mean in this situation? Who exactly is "what's-his-name" that you refer to. Les Alexander? Carroll Dawson? Rudy T? If you're refering to ANY of them you are either ignorant of the facts or a flat out liar. At the time of the incident you use to back your arguement, the "Rockets organization" was owner Charlie Thomas and GM Steve Patterson. True, Rudy was head coach, but I defy you to find a single quote wherein he accused Hakeem of faking an injury. If Hakeem let the actions of a former owner and GM nearly a decade prior to the events of last season influence his decision to completely disrespect Les Alexander, Carroll Dawson and Rudy Tomjanovich as well as the Rockets organization and their fans...then he's infinitely more petty and egotistical than I ever imagined. Stay humble, indeed. Once again, DREAMer, please stop embarrassing yourself.
How so? What if the "episode" never bothered me? So Hakeem talked about wanting to play more or play somewhere else...why should I care? Hakeem is the Rockets. He can do what he wants. Why should I act like a jilted lover because Hakeem wanted to play somewhere else? He doesn't owe me, the Rockets, or the city of Houston anything. I'd rather show a little respect for someone who gave the city championships, instead of bad-mouth him in the twilight of his career. The same organization that benched him, then low-balled him in negotiations? Then turned around and gave more money to a 2nd-string point guard? The same organization that told the media how much they wanted him back, even though they had no intention of bringing him back unless it was convenient? Oh, and the fans...the same fans who produced the lowest attendance in the NBA during Hakeem's farewell season? Who's deserving of ill will here again? Who's showing a lack of respect?
I am no "Dream Supporter" and think it was maybe even 1.5 years past the ideal time for both parties to move on, but ya'll suck if you really don't wish him well in Toronto.
Freak, Dreamer, It's funny, but despite our political disagreements, when it comes to basketball, you guys are practically the only people I agree with. Rockets disrespect towards Hakeem: -Benching Hakeem in the fourth quarter, choosing to play Kenny Thomas or Matt Bullard instead. This, in his supposed final season, and during a year when his play was superb. -Placing Hakeem on the injured list for an extra five games, even though he publicly said that he was ready to play. -Not starting Hakeem for at least five games, just because he was coming off an injury. -Offering Hakeem only 4 million for two years, when centers not an eighth as good make 6-7 million. The Rockets gave Cato 42 million because he had one good preseason game. Hakeem averaged 15-10 in the second half of the season, lifting the Rockets to 45-37 from a dismal 22-25 start, while leading them on that 16-4 run which almost had them in the playoffs -Paying dime-a-dozen backup guard Moochie Norris more than they offered Hakeem. -Trading for 7 million-per-year Glen Rice (although I like him), immediately after trading Hakeem because they "couldn't afford him". There are many other examples, and many have already been said. You want me to cut the Rockets some slack? Okay. How about still being a fan? How about still supporting the team? How about still paying good money to see them play? The Rockets traded away their greatest player ever, and my favorite player in the league. A few years ago, I would have stopped being a fan right away, if something so blasphemous had occurred. However, I like some of the players on this team, and I will continue to cheer him on. I can forgive the Rockets, but I can't forgive the "what have you done for me lately" fans. They call other teams' fans fairweather, HA! That is a joke. _
How many times are we going to go through this? Until the man retires? Look, I don't think anyone wishes ill will for Olajuwon in Toronto, but it takes two to tango and Olajuwon is definitely not a saint. A couple of questions for the threesome: 1) Didn't Olajuwon say he was going to retire after this past season? I know he changed his mind, but why do any of you never address how him changing his mind, after it seemed to me that he promised the Rockets he would retire, placed them in an awkward position. Do the three of you enjoy seeing Rockets Mgmt placed in awkward positions? 2) Olajuwon has averaged around 58 games played the last 2 seasons. Yes, he had some brilliant moments last year, but too often he was out of shape, getting dunked on, and even getting his shot blocked by the rim ! It was very hard for me to watch such a great athlete like him struggle like that. Do the three of you enjoy seeing him struggle like that? 3) You-all know very well that considering the money and length of years that he wanted, that the Rockets wouldn't be able to get anyone decent in free agency let alone re-sign their own key free agents. Let's say that the Rockets re-signed Hakeem to a similar deal that he had last time with them. That means that Moochie, Mo, and Glen Rice (Shandon Anderson) would not be with the Rockets. So, you might be saying well our starting line-up would still be good with Walt, KT, Olajuwon, Cat, and the Franchise. However, there's no depth and Cato and Collier won't get any better if the only time that they ever played was spelling Olajuwon. If and when Hakeem broke down, Cato and Collier would be unprepared just like last year to fill in. The result is another lottery year. Do the three of you enjoy seeing the Rockets be a perrenial lottery team like the Grizzlies and the Warriors?
You can go ahead and add me to the basement because right now the raptors and rockets are tied as my favorite basketball teams (both , because of hakeem)
His play was superb last season...after we suffered through a mediocre first half of the season. From that point on, I think he received good minutes, especially down the stretch. A couple of games there might have even been more plays written up for him than Taylor or Mobley late in the game. I wouldn't call Mooch a dime-a-dozen point guard...Norris is regarded by most as one of the premier backup guards in the league. I could probably name a good 7-8 teams he would start for. They traded 6-7 million per year Shandon Anderson for Rice. Rice's contract ends in what 3, 4 years, while Shandon is on board with the Knicks for 6(I believe) years. All that said, I definitely want Dream to have an excellent season. He is still the greatest Rocket ever, and probably will be for a while. So sign me up for your basement meetings Dreamer.
I hope Dream kicks ass this year. I think that he wants to show the naysayers that he isn't out to pasture yet. If his body holds up, he will surprise everyone (except us DREAMers, of course). The Barkleys, Pippens, and Stevies of the world aint done jack in a Rockets uni when compared to those back-to-back ring ceremonies thanks to Dream. Good luck big fella! There are plenty of us still rooting for ya no matter what!
