As far as Dream going to a contender, because of his salary, they would have to gut the team in order to pull off the trade. If they do that, then what are they contending for? If the Rockets trade the big guy, they'll want some serious value, because their cap space will continue to be tied up. The only realistic possibility that I can see would be a trade to Minnesota for Garnett. If we throw in some picks, that would give the T-Wolves some operating room & us a solid team for years (albeit over the salary cap). The only real option is to pursue trades with teams that are drooling over Webber and/or Finley & that need the cap space. While his skills are not as good as they once were, Dream still has game & anyone that thinks he doesn't needs to open their eyes. Personally, I'd like to see the Rockets revert back to the low post game now that Dream is healthy & seems to have the burning desire to win another ring. We have enough outstanding outside shooters to make that combination deadly. However, I realize that would slow down or even stop the growth of the new guys in the new system. Some people just can't be pleased. ------------------
Thanks to tariq and rockbox for making such good points about Hakeem. I did not start this thread as a Dream bashing thread. I think he has earned so much more from all true Rockets fans. How can any true Rockets fan forget the two championships Hakeem gave this city. Maybe thefranchise3 is not old enough to remember 94 and 95 and has lived such an isolated life that he has no knowledge of what happened during those years. Every single person on those teams were replacable except one. Hmmmmmmmm, wounder who that would be. The Dream and the Rox are one and should never be seperated. When Hakeem goes into the Hall of fame I for one do not want his plack to say 16 years with Houston one with LA and one with Miami. It is obvious with every passing game that Hakeem has more bounce in his step than he has had in a couple of years and should be counted on more in the offense and during crunch time. It is also time to see if he is healthy enough to handle at least 30 minutes a game instead of 25. Dream is blocking shots, shooting around 50% from the floore and rebounding better than anyone else in a Rockets uniform. So please Rudy try and get Hakeem more involved. And to all you idiots that want to bash the Dream...you are not true Rockets fans and your oppinions from here on out should be recognized as ill informed and a waste of bandwith. ------------------
I don't like Olajuwon because of his complaints, some crappy shots he takes, and because i've heard he is a bad guy. I heard he was bad 25 grand to do a signing session, and he left after 5 minutes. I heard from someone that they asked him to autograph something and he said 'you got any mone y'. ------------------ PUT OLAJUWON ON THE BENCH AND KEEP THE ROCKETS DREAM OF WINNING A TITLE ALIVE!
thefranchise3, "I heard...". What do you know, first hand. The people that you heard from, do you trust them beyond doubt or are they the kind of people that might be tempted to pull your chain? While you are free to form your opinion as you see fit, I would encourage you to find out first hand what kind of person Dream is. How many players play their whole college & pro career in the same city? I'd hate to see him play somewhere else, but that is his right. If it comes down to that, I would hope that the Rockets would take advantage of the opportunity that he has presented to them by offering to go to another team in a trade. If he wasn't loyal to this team & city, why would he even offer them this chance. After all, he's making 16.7 million this year. He hasn't asked for money, just more playing time & involvement in the offense. If anything, this city owes him a great deal of gratitude for choosing to display his talents for us & not for some other city. Dream, I love you man. ------------------
Since my dreamcasting earns such raves, I'll just leave it to this: this Rockets team can make #8 seed in the playoffs, maybe #7. Next year? A frontline of Cato and Mo Taylor strikes little fear in opponents. I was asked, "Don't you think capspace is valuable?" or words to that effect. Question: If we keep Hakeem, how much cap-space might we have without renouncing him (but before re-signing him to, say, 5 million?) How much does a free agent count against the cap? If we, say, trade draft picks for JYD or Toni Davis? Or just sign either outright? (Not that their teams will keep them around long enough to opt out.) ------------------
Tariq, you've hit it exactly! Hakeem has good reason to think you can't easily win without a post game. He's absolutely right. And he may not be a superstar anymore, but he contributes quality minutes when he's in the game. I wish Rudy would play him more in the fourth quarter. ------------------
