Talk about head shaking. There is this amazing loon at bskball.com that is stirring this rumour pot. You know, the guy who could learn something from Clutch about building a good site - it looks like his web designer was The Strawberry Alarm Clock from the seventies. He has launched into the stupidity generated by Steve Smith's idle speculation about Hakeem and Vancouver. This site unfortunately seems to generate a lot of further unsubstantiated rumours and "Virtual GM" thinking. There can't be anything to this, can there? Can there? I'd do this deal in a ninnysecond (a smaller version of a nanno). Anyone willing to take on the challenge of informing the Vancouver fans, who are all excited, why this won't happen with a top ten list, Letterman style? Here's the link and his scenario (typos are his - the guy obviously hasn't heard of spell check): http://www.bskball.com/Rumors.htm "Lets say that Hakeem is ready to retire (he should be), so the Rockets honor Hakeem's wishes to continue to be paid $14 million, and trade him to Vancouver, who has new management and believes Hakeem will fit the bill as far as showing the public drastic improvements. So heres the way I could see it working...The Grizz want to part with Big Country, not the person, the contract.... Othella Harrington is not happy and wants out badly, and they really don't need another top 5 pick (Guys in the top expect to start)...So the Grizz trade BC, and Othella along with their top pick to Houston, in exchange Houston would send Hakeem and their #9 pick and maybe some cash or future considerations (maybe even Bryce Drew).... Here's what each side gains.... Rudy T has done wonders with washout type players, maybe he can salvage BC. Othella was spectacular in Houston, maybe a return there improves his game, and the top pick allows Houston to improve even more..... The advantage to Vancouver, they get a 12 time All-Star and huge PR man, who's contract expires after this season- clearing roughly $15 million in capspace, if they get Bryce Drew in there too, they clear even more...By trading down, they reduce the guaranteed money owed to the draft pick, and even at #9 could still land a quality front court player. The Grizzlies do have a nice young player in Obinna Ekezie that could replace Harrington, and Hakeem even in limited play could give you more than BC does, and not to mention the veteran respect he would bring to the floor and the locker room...with the threat (by David Falk) of losing Mike Bibby to free agency or Shareef being unhappy, this type of deal gives the Vancouver team, much needed flexibility, and with marquee free agents like Michael Finely and Dikembe Mutombo available, right about the time Vancouver has cash, they could remotely be in a position with a few other moves to be a team that could make offers. And I think a lineup like Vancouver's with the addition of Hakeem (if healthy) could be plausible winner against most teams...... So there, to all of you Grizzlie fans, I have laid it out as I could see it happening...now the question is- Is Hakeem worth BC, Othella, and the top pick this year?" I kinda like the, Michael "Finely" goof don't you? ------------------
It does not sound as farfetched as some would think,really. 1. Hakeem would have to be in full agreement to the move from the onset. Complete unadultered buy-in. No wiggling and jiggling as the announcement date gets closer. 2. Hakeem has several ties to British Columbia,Canada and especially in Vancover where he has business cincerns and a very beautiful home he visits as ofetn as possible. 3. New owners are interested in marquee value to lend some real crediblity to their new franchise. Spectator/ticket-wise: Hakeem has as many fans in the Griz seats as the Griz do. He would be instantly accepted there, and would likely increase the door receipts considerably. Player-wise: Hakeem would immediately give "big-league" respect to the team (incl: other players) and the city (believe me the city would be all over him to promote Vancover). It would certainly help in the signing and recruiting of other NBA trades and drafts. 4. It is a good trade for all parties. That is the quintessential ingredient to establishing a successful trade in any business. IMHO Personally, I think Hakeem wishes he could play another year. I don't think that will happen unless some things occur, including: drastic or extreme, (or whatever adjective you want to use) roster changes are made. If that looks like it will not happen, and he feels like continuing to play, this trade scenario with Vancover may pick up.
As a Rocket fan I love this deal. But there is know way they do this. Maybe they do this if we don't get there draft pick. As it stands right now they get hakeem (who will be around for one year and you can't guess what kind of game he'll have) and the #9 pick we'll through in Drew. We get a top five pick, BC & Othella! WE Win!, WE Win! I love the trade but as it stands here THEY GET NOTHING!!! ------------------
I think trading Hakeem would be such a bad PR move for the Rockets. What I mean is that alot of the voting sports fans don't have an inside track of any kind and would see the trade of Olajuwon as the casting off of a Houston hero. They can write all the articles and show all the news clips of Hakeem saying he wanted to be in Vancouver, but I think that will only serve to hurt the arena vote. Personally, I think Dream will retire before he accepts a trade. That, and I would be pissed if this happens. ------------------ I need a new signature. 302 [This message has been edited by Lynus302 (edited April 27, 2000).]
Woohoo! Yeah! We'll get the #4 pick in a weak draft and an overpaid underachieving center with a long contract and an old fan favorite who demands a lot of touches back! This will instantly raise us from a mediocre team to an average team and all we have to give up is our #9 pick and the ton of cap room that we would have freed up in just one more year! Golly and gee willickers! Where do we sign?! ------------------
popeye, I know it's Vancouver, but would ANY franchise make this trade considering Hakeem's unresolved health issues. What has been done to correct Hakeem's breathing difficulties? If Hakeem only plays 44 games next year like he did this year, wouldn't the fans in Vancouver call for heads? I know Othella doesn't want to be in BC, but as a Grizzly fan you would hope for more in return than 44 subpar games in the final year of a great player. I don't know Reeves contract situation, so maybe it's analagous to the Mike Hampton/Derek Bell deal where you want out from under a hefty contract for future cap room. That's the only way I can see the deal benefiting the Grizzlies in any way. By "big-league" respect, do you mean from the officials, or attracting free-agents? I can't see how either way. I can't see how this deal is anything but another fleecing of the Grizzlies by the Rockets. That would be more than the most avid Grizzly fans could bear. ------------------
I love it! Too bad preseason doesn't start earlier. My honeymoon is in September and it starts in Vancouver. I'd love to have Othella back, Cato and Big Country could fight for the right to start (that could backfire if they fight for the right to not start), and we'd get a great pick, AND we'd lose a lot of baggage....excuse me, I mean contract burden. ------------------ stop posting my damn signature
For those who think we benefit from this trade: Reeves is signed for $65 million over 6 years, that is until 2004. Last season, he made $8.666 million; next year he should make $9.75 million. We already have Cato to play the position at $42 million for 6 years. Provided that neither can be counted on to play 36 minutes per game for a whole season, having these two guys (and Pig Miller perhaps), we'll have the C sown up for only $15 million next year and something like $25 million two seasons from now. Given the other paydays for the Rockets coming up (Mobley, Anderson, Francis), we won't be seeing cap room for a long time if we did this deal. If you think we have it bad with Cato, Vancouver has it ten times worse with Reeves. At least Cato still has potential. Reeves has no potential for better things to come, he has trouble keeping in shape for basketball, is very prone to injury, and has a considerably larger contract than Cato. ------------------
I feel silly for even having to defend this tarade that soooo obviously a huge coup for us. We Get #4 pick in the draft and from what I've heard the talent really drops after #6 or #7 Othella, a legitamate PF who can run the floor well. And Big Country, not the center he showed signs of being, and yes a big contract, but still a decent center and even if we turn around and trade him for nothing we still make out better than Vancover. They Get: to move down 5 spaces in weak draft to #9 Hakeem whom the Rockets are thinking about buying out of his contract anyway! And, I love him I question if he has one more season in him. Can his body survive another 82 gameS? I dont think so. And Drew, I like him but he would 3rd string PG, he'll be gone come NOvember. I fail to see how this would not be good for us? ------------------
Its a great deal for us but the rockets wont do that to Hakeem. I really think that is wrong to do and Hakeem will hate us forever. Its better not to do the deal, but for some reason I think we will not see the Dream anymore. I have a feeling we will buy out his contract. ------------------ President of the Moochie Norris FAN CLUB
Gimme a break. Anyone who considers this a good deal for the Rockets needs to seriously consider getting their head checked. How is this a good deal? Don't even try to sweeten up Big Country. This is a guy who makes even more than Kelvin Cato, and makes Cato look like Alonzo Mourning! Big Country Reeves is the most pathetic player in the entire NBA. I would prefer Pig Miller at center over this lazy ass. We get another lottery pick in a weak draft in which we already have a lottery pick. What are we going to do with two? Yea, bring back Othella, a marginal NBA-starter who doesn't play defense and doesn't know how to pass the ball. But no, let's bring him back because he's a fan favorite. Yea, that's a great reason to make a trade. Oh, oh yea, not to mention that "old, washed up, #34 guy" just happened to have won us 2 championships. Really guys, if you wanted to trade the Dream, atleast come up with something better than this. [This message has been edited by thacabbage (edited April 27, 2000).]
One more thing that happens if the Rockets trade Hakeem... The new arena just gets harder to pass. I don't see too many Hakeem fans voting for a new arena for Les and the boys if they feel Olajuwon gets mistreated. ------------------ I have a dream.........his name's Hakeem.
Cabbage- The deal is good because we are giving up a guy like Hakeem who will retire and a sorry **** like drew. We will get in return a Good Solid PF and a #4 pick. Forget about Big Country. We can draft 2 good players in the draft and this team will be ready. But I dont see it happening, I dont think Hakeem will even play again. ------------------ President of the Moochie Norris FAN CLUB
Francis3: It's not that easy to "forget about" a $65million contract. Deadweight that heavy is enough to cripple a franchise for years.
I can not see how you guys are thinking we are going to be freeing up cap space just by getting rid of Hakeem. Yes, Hakeem will count around 15+ million towards the cap next year. But it is only for one year. We are done after that and should be in great cap space. Remember, think BIG PICTURE not Big Country. But if we pick up Big Country who I believe is signed to a huge 6 year contract we are stuck for many, many LONG years to come.... To me I much rather have Hakeem on our team next year and take our chances. If he plays great all the better if not well at least we let a legend go out on his own terms. Hakeem should mean so much to the city of Houston, fans and the Rockets organization. Much more than trading him to another team in his last year. Look if the Rockets wanted to move Hakeem it should have been last year with Toronto. That did not happen so the Rockets should be prepared to live with Hakeem for one last year. There is to much riding on the Rockets management to screw up this decision. First and foremost is getting the new arena. There would be so much negative publicity/buzz nationwide if Hakeem was traded. Especially in his final year. I can almost read some of the editorials and headlines. The Rockets should not even think about trading Hakeem at this point in the game. It just makes no sense. Houston... Please do what's right and keep the Dream... ------------------ "There is Francis backpedaling at full speed to guard Seattle All-Star Gary Payton on a fast break and then leaping as if off a springboard to make a spectacular fingertip block on what appeared to be a sure layup."
you guys are willing to lose cap space for four years to pick 5 slots higher? On a brighter note, I have a business plan for you to review. Don't worry about the marketing analysis, we'll figure that out together over some beers. seriously. ------------------
65 MILLION!!!! Holy crap, my fault I thought it was way less. Just forget what I said. ------------------ President of the Moochie Norris FAN CLUB
We definitly should not trade hakeem! I agree. I totally think the right thing to do is do what ever hakeem would like us to do, be it, he wants to play next year, he wants us to buy out his contract or he wants us to trade him, he's earned it. But that isn't what I was talking about when weighing wheather it would be a good trade for us in terms of "would you do it", what if hakeem asked you to do. I could just as easly say that, there are tones of possible variables. ------------------
I know I'm just repeating what a lot of posters have already stated in this thread, but come on ... we free up cap space? Big Country is not a free agent until 2004 and we're paying an average salary of $11 million per season (6 years, $65 million) over that span ... I can't believe some people think this is a bad deal for Vancouver. What Vancouver needs is an ambassador telling people this city is great and not to fear Canada, taxes, being away from your pals, etc. Hakeem, even in his last season, would be a refreshing change for Vancouver... actually a megastar who has nothing but good things to say about the city, etc. And he frees up a ton of cap space at season's end. I don't see the point of having Othella, Kenny and Carlos on the squad. Also keep in mind the "4th pick" from Vancouver has a good shot to be top 3, but if they don't make it in the lottery, they're a great shot to fall to 5th or 6th. Rockets better off -- much better off -- letting Hakeem retire where he belongs and take the cap space next season. On the other hand, if you're going to trade Dream, I'm guessing Vancouver is a place he'd like to be. ------------------ NOTHING BUT .NET CLUTCHCITY.NET [This message has been edited by Clutch (edited April 27, 2000).]
I just don't see that scenario. Hakeem as an ambassador for Vancouver? He's going to pay the taxes for one year of his career, and yet convince a 3rd-year rising star to play out their career in Canada? I don't know that Hakeem holds that much weight with the young guns of the league. I also don't see Hakeem spending too much time in the public eye selling Canada to NBA players while on the injured list during rehab. After reading the particulars of Reeves' contract, I do agree that this is an excellent way to relieve themselves of that burden. ------------------
