I know there are 200 odd topics on the Hakeem mess (Clutch could start a new forum!), but I couldn't find an appropriate thread. Is it not bothersome to anyone that Rudy T has now become the bad guy in this whole Hakeem mess? Here's what I mean -- Rudy becomes coach. He builds a team around the greatest center of our era, getting an excellent mix of young talent and veteran leadership with a little Clyde Drexler thrown in. The Rockets win two Championships. Rudy T is a good guy Hakeem finally gets his payday, ensuring (or so we thought) that he ends his career with Houston. Rudy (and the Rockets organization) give him five years on a maximum contract, paying him for all his past work and and some future dividends, but all parties (even Hakeem) agree that the end of the contract is very much a loyal move (paying a 37/38 yr. old player 16 million). Rudy T is a good guy The Rockets are no longer number one, but Rudy continually rebuilds around Dream, bringing in Barkley, Pippen, Willis, etc. The Rockets don't win it all, but they tried hard and came close. Nevertheless, Rudy T is a good guy The Rockets get a chance to trade an aging, oft-injured center for an unreal package of prospects and draft picks. It's a great move for the organization. But Rudy can't pull the trigger. He is loyal to Hakeem Olajuwon and wants to see him end his career in Houston. Rudy T is a VERY good guy All of the sudden, the Rockets get the most promising prospect since a young center from University of Houston. Everyone (Hakeem included) is excited to see the future of the organization. Hakeem says that he's interested in helping to make Francis a superstar and show him the NBA ropes in his old age. The Rockets organization looks brilliant. Everyone is excited. Hakeem gets injured. Charles gets injured. The Rockets miss the playoffs. Barkley retires and Hakeem discovers a respiratory problem. Olajuwon only has one more year on his contract and Steve Francis and Cuttino Mobley are shaping up to be a future all-star tandem. Rudy gears the offense to their skills and reduces Hakeem's role, as it appears to be the last year of his contract and he isn't even 10% of his former self. Hakeem can't play very much because of his injuries and respiratory problems, but he looks *okay*, playing with an occasional desire and having mild success. He begins to complain about not getting the ball 40% of the time and wanting minutes even though he can bearly wheeze downcourt. Finally, he plays the "I want to be on a contender" card. Naysayers point the finger at Rudy T for not utilizing Hakeem, being loyal to Hakeem, or giving Hakeem what he deserves -- the ball all the time. All of the sudden, Rudy is a bad guy? No wonder he had exhaustion. ------------------ "Any answer that can't be questioned is no answer at all. It's gibberish. It's the jabbering of startled monkeys flinging dung at the moon" -- Scott Christensen -- www.ewav.com
Rudy is not the bad guy in this mess. However, how has Rudy made Hakeem part of the team? ------------------ Respect Hakeem's legacy. A championship in the hand is worth two in the bush!!
...by asking hakeem to set high pnr's ...by asking hakeem to rebound ...by asking hakeem to defend ...by asking hakeem to lead in his old age. the question should be how has hakeem made HIMSELF a part of the team? ------------------
This is definitely not Rudy's fault. He's only trying to develop his young talent and speed up the rebuilding process. He's still being loyal to Hakeem because he has kept him and lets him go out there and be a part of this team still. ------------------
