lose respect for Hakeem??? The guy can no longer play more than 30 minutes a game, yet expects to be the man... C'mon Dream, you've done plenty good for the Rockets, but there comes a time in every players career when they have to pass the torch... Instead of yapping about how you need shots and about how some other team will maximize your diminishing talent, try being able to play a whole game without having to worry about passing out... Geez, at this point I could care less if we trade him... Right now, he's a hindrance not only to the salary cap, but he's also going to become a clubhouse distraction... Next thing you know, Mo Taylor will complain that he's the only Rocket trying to rebound... GROW UP HAKEEM... And if you can't, then go ahead and go elsewhere... Don't let the door hit you on the way out... ------------------
It doesn't appear that you had much respect for Dream in the first place, Kidrock. If you know the game of basketball, please understand that you have to have a presence inside to consistenly win. Sure you can win some games with isos from guards, but in the long run, you won't win consistently. Take a look at the post by Rockbox on the ridiculus thread entitled Beat it Mr. Unbeatable. You will see that the teams that reached the finals in almost every case over the past 20 seasons had effective inside players. I will say this again. Dream has proven this season thus far that he still has the ability to score consistently against a majority of the centers in this league. No one is saying he needs the ball everytime down the floor like in the past. I don't want to see that myself. I do want diversity in the offense which will give other teams something else to defend. Just think about it a little bit. ------------------
So with that I imply two things... 1.The Rockets are a title contender right now. 2.Olajuwon is an "inside" force. All I want from the Rockets is consistent improvement from the young players (Anderson, Cato, Francis, Mobley, Taylor)... To think that the Rockets are a title contender is premature... They will be in a few years... And in the future, Olajuwon WILL NOT BE ON THE TEAM... I'll readily sacrafice W's this year if it means that our young guys improve... Granted, we probably are a better team THIS SEASON if we give Olajuwon a few more touches... But does it mean that our young core players improve??? I don't think so... That to me is the bottom line of this season... ------------------
Kid, do you honestly believe that by giving Dream more touches, that the growth of the younger players will be r****ded? What players would really be affected by more touches from Dream? Also wouldn't the opportunity to know what it feels like to be a winner(i.e playoff participant) bode well for the maturation process of the younger players? Just a question and a thought. ------------------
1. I never said the Rockets were a title contender right now, nor did I imply that they were. 2. Dream is as much as an inside force any other center in the league with the exception of Shaq and Duncan. These two are the preminent forces in the post. Of course Wallace, Garnett, and Webber are forces as well, however, neither of those guys can check Dream. They are too small. See my point? ------------------
Then what are you saying when you said this? "Take a look at the post by Rockbox on the ridiculus thread entitled Beat it Mr. Unbeatable. You will see that the teams that reached the finals in almost every case over the past 20 seasons had effective inside players" Why mention the NBA Finals with a rebuilding team like the Rockets? ------------------
kidcrock, Where in Dream's comment's did he say he expect's to be "the man" ?.I must have missed that part. ------------------
i agree w/ DARO. and i hate to say but this is not one but two players (SA) to complain about being invovled in the offense. and francis assists are down. i think there are too many ISOs and not enough ball movement. when 2 starters complain of being involve there is a problem not necessarily the player.. ------------------ --TEX
I'm hoping that the Rockets are rebuilding towards winning a title - are you saying that you're not, kidrock? Think about it, if a team plays without using the post and gets adjusted to doing that, then doesn't that team start to ignore the post altogether? Why not try dumping the ball into Dream 4 or 5 times a night and seeing what he has? It certainly won't hurt to build strong habits of using the whole team! And you seem to be saying that you don't care if the Rockets make the playoffs or not, so long as the young guys get more experience. Let me assure you that a team that goes to the playoffs and gets playoff experience is far better off then a team that finishes 30-52 and gives it's young stars a ton of court time. Learning to win is very important and playing alongside grizzled veterans is one of the best ways to learn! ------------------
Doc-I know the Rockets are rebuilding for a title run... WITHOUT OLAJUWON... By that I mean, that the Rockets will be contenders in 2-3 years... When Olajuwon is gone, via trade or retirement... My point is that giving Olajuwon the ball more means less development for our young players... I don't feel that we are title contenders this year... ------------------
I understand now. We are on two totally different pages. You feel that winning now and instilling what it feels like to win is less important than getting the young guys extra shots. Let's face it, all this comes down to is more shots. Believe me every athlete wants to win. They don't care about maturity. If you ask Steve if he'd rather run a few more post ups and thereby possibly give his team a better chance to win, or take more shots, guess which one he's going to choose? My point with the reference to the other thread was to get you to understand that if the Rockets are ever going to be title contenders, they will have to have a post presence. Nearly all of those teams over the 20 seasons had an inside player. It is essential. Do you really believe the Rockets will ever beat the Lakers or San Antonio in the next 2 to 5 years. Come on get real. They will have to establish some sort of post presence or something other than isos for small guards and relying strictly on a perimeter game. Whether it's the playoffs this year or two years from now, the playoffs always force teams to play half court basketball which means the ball will eventually go inside. If you have no inside presence you will not win a 7 game series. The key number here is 7. It's possible for a team to get hot and win a 5 game series without a post presence, but much more unlikely in a 7 game series. No team will remain hot from the perimeter that long. It's the law of averages and perimeter shooting is not a high percentage shot. I hope this helps you to understand my point a bit more. It sounds mysteriously like you want the Rockets to tank games and get into the lottery. If that happens, believe me Rudy will select a power player if one is available. I guarantee it. I believe he knows what got him those rings on his finger and if he's able to add that piece to the puzzle, then the Rockets will be title contenders. ------------------
