My Opinion I truly think Hakeem is feeling better about his health than what he had anticipated . I think he went has some tough decisions this past summer and finally opted to play out his contract. The deciding factor was he wanted a last hurrah. To go out with a bit of a flourish. To pridefully show he still had some moves left. To contribute. He was assured by everyone he was still an integral part of the process. Well, he is much, much better health wise. Partly do to his condition being known and being treated correctly this time around. He is also partly "more healthy" because he is not asked to bang around inside as many minutes per game, nor is our game as focused or predicated (intensed) on him. Thus we have the crux of the problem. 1. Hakeem feels he is not getting the looks. Sorry, the "quality" looks ... that he had in the past. Could be he is getting the touches, but I agree with him he is not getting the post called as frequently as he wants. A couple more posts a game would not hurt us. If to do nothing more than to satisfy Hakeem's concerns. 2. Hakeem, as proud as he is, may be having some difficulties with the subordinate role that is asked of him. I think he is willing to give up the focus on himself in general, but unwilling for it to be made so apparent game in and game out. Sorry, Dream. You are are just not adjusting as well as you possibly should. 3. The team struggles at times. And obviousness aside, Hakeem probably feels like a great deal of others that he knows how to change the attack and fix the problems. RT sees this team struggling as a gradual process. Each night a learning and growing period. Hakeem may be too close to his own trees to see the forest. 4. Hakeem will use the media to his advantage. He has talked with Jim and Rudy and others about his concerns about his involvement. He may feel the complaints are falling on deaf ears so he goes to the media. The real harm will be the "team dirty-laundry gag rule" being circumvented by other grumblers like Maurice Taylor. No one can say that a Rocket season is anything but interesting, start to finish. ------------------
Spot on! (wow, I've never used that expression, makes me feel ... quirky). Controlling complaints is why Rudy is a great coach, albeit he couldn't control Pippen. I have no problem with a franchise player complaining about a system they don't believe in: Bird, Magic, Jordan, Isiah and Dream all demanded change and got it. And they were right; and they have 2 titles each to prove it! But, Dream should not complain now. It isn't his future and it isn't his team, anymore. Shut up, Dream! Quit whining. And learn how to pick and move, or I have a bench seat for ya! This is a new offense, and we can't let Mo see whining. Dream complaining has got to be the most surprising development of the year. Rudy does not need this grief, Dream. And if he isn't moving and picking on purpose, he is a detriment to growth.
Boy, I don't know... this issue, I think, doesn't warrant the space it's been receiving. I think Hakeem is somewhat serious and absolutely right in what he said. "you can't completely go away from the (low) post and be successful". However, I don't think he is so outraged and adamant about it that he would hurt the team. The team chemistry is not that fragile. If you do believe he was serious, why do so many people have to embelish and exaggerate what he said. You should know by now that I'm not a Rudy basher, but there are some things he does that either I do not understand or don't agree with. I don't think it would hurt the development of the guards in any way for Hakeem to get a few more touches where he could do something with the ball. Did anyone see the beautiful dish to Francis down the lane for the dunk when Hakeem was doubled? Was that bad for the team? No. We can't run motion all the time. When Hakeem is gone next year or the year after, is Cato going to run motion effectively and hit open j's. That definately remains to be seen and looks doubtful at this point. Is Collier going to be our starting center? Also, Hakeem is getting a lot of minutes. Why not in the 4th? We could certainly use his defense. I personally don't like Bullard in the 4th. He hit two big threes in the last game, but missed several prior to that which helped Dallas cut the lead. We have other players that can hit the 3 if they fire up enough. They only way Bull contributes on defense is from the element of surprise. In summary, there is probably some truth and seriousness to Hakeem's statements. Don't get your panties in a wad and blow it all out of proportion. A FEW more touches wouldn't hurt anything and I would like to see more of him in the 4th. ------------------
I have been stuck on the east coast watching the games on directv. I am getting sick of the Stevie & Cat show. Pass the ball!! Get it to Dream in the post, he has shown there is still some gass in the tank and the shake is still there. ------------------ Scottie, Watch your a!% when the Chuck Wagon rolls into town.
I agree Moe. boy am I waffling now! One day I downplay it, the next Jeff and Live have me convinced it IS true complaining, and now I'm back on Moe's bandwagon. But one thing I can't waffle on, Dream often impedes motion. He doesn't even know where to stand sometimes, like he doesn't care, and he just goes through the motions on picking, to the point of only working hard to get his favorite shot. You cannot reward that behavior with more dump it in. Low posts to Dream is definitely in the game plan. If he wants more touches, he gets them like everyone else; he must learn to get them within the system that Rudy is trying hard to get these kids to learn. The moment Dream starts picking and moving with a purpose, he'll get more touches. IMO, if Rudy concedes to Dream, he'll lose even more, starting with Dream caring even less for picking and passing, and creating even more traffic jams in the lane that can ruin entire possessions. Dream says the low post is winning basketball. I can agree with that for sure. But not trying to learn a system is not winning basketball either. IMO, Rudy cannot waffle on that.
