I am asking this question because I just saw another player who was considered "done" just out play a player in his prime down the stretch of a game 7. Patrick Ewing had equal, if not worse, injuries to his body than Dream. We are talking torn achilles, broken wrist, bad knees and now a bad back. And still, when it mattered most, he was right there averaging 17.4 points and 14.5 rebounds in game 6 and 7. I listen to the sports radio all day, everyday, and they were RIPPING this guy for 2 years. Most of the comments fans were making are the same ones we are all saying here about Dream now. And that includes me. I am just as guilty as anyone for thinking that Dream should retire or be on the bench. But, Ewing playing like he did the last two games against Mourning and how he has played in the playoffs in general has given me reason to wonder if Dream can't do it also. I have always maintained that players that rely on jumpers or a power game last longer than those that rely on agility and quickness. Look at how many old shooters there still are and how the NBA lacks quick and agile big men over 35. You can count on Mourning on suffering some drastic fall off to his game soon since he relies on tenacity and quickness than anything else. But Shaq has the ability to go well in to his 30's dominating because he will be strong for a long time after he loses his quickness. In another sport, George Foreman was as slow as can be. But the man pulled Jeeps uphill during training for a fight. He still was strong after losing all his quickness and agility. So my question is this. Can Dream do it again? Even for one year? Realistically can we expect at least 15 and 10? With the occasional 25 and 15? Or is Dream a victim of his own athleticism? Can Dream still be the same without spin moves, drop steps or quick jump hooks from the lane? He is easily a step, if not 2 steps slower than even 3 years ago. If he recovers fully from whatever hurts him, can he come back like Ewing did and help the team reach the playoffs next year? Or, can we count on seeing the same old Dream? Ewing gave me hope. He really did. To me, if he can do it, I don't see why Dream can't either. If Dream is truly content with his place in history, and hasn't retired because he feels "obligated" to fulfill his contract, then yea, I want him to retire. ------------------ Live Rocketball. Breathe Rocketball. Die with Rocketball.
Almu, I'm a staunch dream supporter as well and hope that his farewell tour will be a good one. In the 1998-9 season he was on the NBA 3rd team averaging 19 points a game. This year in the beginning he played very well. Aside from his breathing problems which severly limited his energy, he began the year well. I feel that if this problem is behind him. Hakeem himself stated that he feels stronger than he has in years after working out with U of H track and strength coaches over the summers. If he feels that strong then i feel he can have a great final year and go out on a strong note. Everyone talks about the rockets needing a low post presence, rebounding, defensive prowess and a big man who can hit the 10-15 foot jumper consistently. Well Dream has that shot down, he can rebound, defend and score better than anything we have on our team. I even think he could be an All-Star Center next year in the West. Besides Shaq who else is there? Robinson? Divac? No Way, I think Hakeem can have a 3rd Team NBA year, an All Star appearance and average 18 points, 10 boards and 3 blocks a game. Enough Said..... ------------------
Almu, Anything physical aside. It is simply a matter of Dream WANTING to do it. He can still average a double double, and contribute immmensely to the youth of this Rocket team. He could probably even thrive if he were the focus on offense, but that is not going to happen, and he needs to pick his spots and contribute what is asked of him, not what he demands. It is hard when you have been THIS great for so many years, and had teams ride YOUR back for so long to just accept that it is someone else's team. You know what, the world is cruel, and that is EXACTLY what Dream has to do to be effective. Accept a lesser role, and therefore make the sum of the parts larger then the whole. I for one am rooting for one INJURY free year from the dream, let him go out in style. DaDakota ------------------
I love what one writer wrote about Ewing. He said: "Ewing is no longer the centerpiece. What he is now is the missing piece." I hope that goes for Dream also. ------------------ Live Rocketball. Breathe Rocketball. Die with Rocketball.
Almu, The breathing difficulty is probably the biggest obstacle for Dream to overcome. The physical wear and tear that Ewing overcame is different that the respiratory problem of Dream. My back is so-so and they are many good days and sometimes a few that are not so good. Currently, Dream's main problem is every day. Mango ------------------ Arch Stanton lives! Donate Blood!
Ewing has been doing that all year. Even last year before the injury, he was playing well. I have to give Patrick his props, the man has heart! Is there still hope for Dream? Yes. It's hard to believe that a player of Hakeem's calibur could fall off so much, so quickly. Age is too easy an answer for Hakeem's recent problems and decline in overall game, so a medical condition is the only logical answer. I think every Rockets fan truely believes that Hakeem can still be an effective and on occasion, a dominant player. Hakeem is a competitor and a champion, but I do agree with ALMU 100%. Let me point out that I do not think this is the case, but if Hakeem is content with his NBA career and place in basketball history and is only playing to honor his contract, I want him to retire. ------------------ We need some meat in the post!
I honestly think that if Hakeem hadn't injured his knee (in 95, right?), that he would be a totally different player now. Forget Patrick, Akeem would still be one of the 3-4 most dominant centers. Why? I don't think it's his physical ability that changed more than his MENTALITY. He seems more, well, satisfied nowadays. I was wondering if you guys noticed this. I think that if he still had some of that old fire he would (not dominate shaq but...) still be giving shaq trouble. ------------------ It's an absolute warzone in my house; I live with Rocket fans, Knick fans, and Laker fans.
I may get flamed by saying this, but I will spit it out anyway. I think Hakeem's religion has an important role on his life (which we all know) and his game. Look at other players who devoted themselves to religions (can I say Bison Daily (SP))? Once one has found some thing far more important than, say, basketball, why would they fight night in and night out? Pleeeeeeeeeaaaase don't get me wrong, I am NOT saying religion is bad or anything, it's just that basketball is a very competetive game, you have to take it seriously, sometimes more than anything else to be a warrior. Sailor ------------------ If Dream was a horse ... he would not be pulling your bandwagon anymore.
I believe Hakeem will play better. Obviously, medical problems slowed him down last season. I'd love to see some of the experts here try to compete w/ similar ailments. ------------------ We would like to get rookie Francis on the break for some easy scoops in the first quarter...
Bison Dele is and always was a head case. The guy didn't play his 1st year due to depression I believe. Please don't use religion as an excuse. Kareem, Ali to name a few. Countless Boxers and Football players also have excelled in their sports and have been Muslim so thats just a weak excuse. I think what happened to Dream was when Charles came on the team he became passive to Charles and forgot what it took to be dominant, and when he began to remember injuries struck. Basicaly he has lost his edge and intensity, it can just as easily come back but no where near what he was even 4 years ago. I beleive he can have a comeback player of the year type season next year. I look at Nique as the perfect example of a player left for dead and resurecting his career for just one last brilliant year. It would be better than winning a championship to me to see Dream have a good year. I mean if you sat back and thought of all the memorable moments he has left us with it would take you almost a week before thinking of all of them. I still get goose bumps when I think of the old Dream. If he had played in Ny or La we would be hearing his name for the rest of our lives everytime a good young center comes up. Lets hope Dream can get over his respitory problems and have a good year. Heres to the Legacy of Hakeem and Akeem. Dream ------------------ "We need to fockass".....Dream back in the day
