Hakeem is the greatest, but I think to help the team he should retire. Even though Hakeem had some good games this season he should just go out and let the team rebuild. He already has numerous records and two championships it would just seem right for him and Charles to retire and let the kids take over. It's all Hakeems opinion though and if he still want's to return I feel that is fine. ------------------ THE DEAN HAS WRITTEN
That wouldn't be fair to the fans all over the league. Give Hakeem a chance to enjoy his Farewell Tour as Kareem did. Anyway as I understand the rules it wouldn't help the team financially. This came up a summer or two ago and two Chronicle columnists got into it. One suggested what you did and the other ran the numbers and pointed out that it wouldn't help. I say keep Hakeem. ------------------ -- If you don't remember the ABA, you don't know basketball.
Speaking strictly on bball: I think it depends on who we get this summer. If we still don't have an effective 2nd center, Cato is just too susceptible to injuries it seems. In that case, we need Hakeem for his still stellar defense (assuming the breathing problem is solved). If the breathing problem is not solved, I'm sure the man will retire in training camp or in November. If he is fine, he is in excellent shape and can still be the best defensive force on this team. Offense-wise, I completely agree. Hakeem has no passing skills, and shows no knowledge of playing in a motion offense. Teaching an old dog new tricks jokes aside, the man clutters the new offense and shows little ability to play high post effectively. I don't want Hakeem in the low post anymore, except for when Francis is on the bench. That leaves him to running Walt double pick plays and being a LameBeer outlet shooter from 15-20'. While that is still valuable, he showed little interest in that role this year. I'd sit him down and tell him I want him to anchor the defense, but that is offensive role is coming around double screens and being Laimbeer, unless he improves his passing and knowledge of the new offensive scheme. [This message has been edited by heypartner (edited April 21, 2000).]
