Bottom Line Hakeem has played 13 productive games during the last 2 seasons. I don't beleive his health has all of a sudden improved for the better. Forget this contract as any means of improving this team this season or next. The Rockets I'm sure are not looking to resign Hakeem so that he will play. But rather to keep him in a Rocket uniform for the duration of his career. So when he goes to the hall of fame there is only one uniform that he can wear. So when us fans look back at Houston sports 20 years from now we can say we lost Nolan, Earl, Moses, and Big E. But at least we treated Hakeem right - finally. The question is - how much is that worth? 4 mil OK. 20 mil - NO! ------------------
I think I have the right to do all the complaining I want. I once saw an NBA Inside Stuff episode. Mutumbo was on there and said he had a 81 thousand dollar watch! That is about what I make in 3 and a half years as a teacher and a coach. Over three years to make enough to buy his watch! If I want to blast the players, then blast I will! They may have about the only job in the world that I would trade mine for. True I only make 26 grand a year, but I love it. I also have not worked in like 70 days now thats why I get to check the forum every day. Just wanted to say that if you want to say I/we complain, uh..... yeah (great example of a student response).
Back to the question presented: How would Hakeem fit in with this team? When healthy, Hakeem makes this team significantly better. He is our best option at the center position. That is, when healthy. But everyone knows this and everyone concedes this. So why ask a question that is so obvious but preface it with some polite talk that appears to be intended to spark a heated debate that's not related to the question you pose? ------------------
This will go into my scrapbook. The next time that my wife insinuates that the public education system is salvageable, I will point at this text. ------------------ Everything is proceeding as I have foreseen...
Drex22, Just because someone is more successful than you because they were blessed with certain attributes or skills doesn't give you the right to complain about them. If Mutumbo has marketable attributes that allow him to buy a 81 thousand dollar watch, good for him. Should we complain about Thomas Kinkade making lots of money because he was blessed with the ability to paint? Should we complain that Mel Gibson is better looking than us so he can make money acting? Its a life lesson that there will be people born with natural abilities and attributes that allow them to get rich. That's how the cookie crumbles. Its not my place to say that a person does not deserve what they earn. If I work my ass off in school, make good grades and get a high paying job, someone that does not do as well as me should not have to right to complain about me. A note on teachers: Teachers are the backbone of our society and are very important to our young people. However, every teacher has made that life decision to teach and should not complain about other people's life decisions because other people make more money. I wholly support teachers, and yes, many teachers are underpaid. However, most teachers work only 9-10 months a year and if you adjust their salaries for a 12 month work year, like most people work, often times it balances out to what your typical office job makes. Many teachers also don't take into account their pensions and the fantastic insurance that most people don't get that they do. That would cost thousands for people in the everyday work place for the kind of coverage most teachers get. I respect teachers and love them, but don't complain about other people being more successful when it comes to money. Everyone knows that teaching is not a high paying job, so don't act like you didn't know that you weren't going to get rich by teaching. Teachers usually teach because they love it, not for the money. If I could, would I pay teachers more?...yes, but that's not how it works, and teachers know what they are getting into before they teach. It was their life decision. Don't fault someone else on there's. ------------------ Doink! [This message has been edited by Supermac34 (edited July 26, 2001).]
Quote: "Just because someone is more successful than you because they were blessed with certain attributes or skills doesn't give you the right to complain about them. If Mutumbo has marketable attributes that allow him to buy a 81 thousand dollar watch, good for him" I thought EVERYONE had the right to complain about anyone and anything. It's a right that's protected in this country. (sorry to pull that one out). Besides, do you really value the skill of rebounding and blocking a shot as being more valuable than the skill of teaching? I know society seems to, but I certainly don't. ------------------
While you do have the right in America to complain that doesn't mean you always have to complain about everything. Anyways, saving the argument about protected rights to complain (yes, legally you have the right to complain, but that doesn't mean you should) for later, I think that it is bad that a tall person that can block and rebound makes a huge amount of money, to an extent. One can't look at it that way. Mutumbo is part of a business. If his skills in that business warrant the kind of money he makes, then so be it. If he makes his team better, and they win more games, and get more butts in the seats and make more money from consumers, he is entitled to his market value that he can receive. Teachers are in a totally seperate market. There is nobody to pay to watch teachers perform or to pay to buy packs of teacher cards. Teachers don't have a fan base to allow them to make a team better and make more money for the team and get a cut of that. Society itself doesn't place more value on Mutumbo than teachers...their different and respective economic markets do. Just like basketball players, teachers that are better teachers and in better locations can make more money than others. Players that are better players and in better teams can make more money. You can't compare two totally different economic markets. If teachers brought in millions of dollars to schools they would make a share. Just like a tech engineer for a software company. If he could bring in millions of extra dollars by his addition to the company, he would be well compensated. Also, it comes down to the law of supply and demand. Many, many people can be taught in school to become teachers. You can't teach many, many people to be 7' tall and block shots. For every 1000 teachers, or software engineers, or accountants, there is only one or 2 7' skilled basketball players that can be defensive player of the year. Sometimes you just have to live your life and instead of being mad or jealous of someone being well off, just congratulate them and work to better yourself rather than trying to bring them down as well. ------------------ Doink!
Society values the entertainment value of rebounding and blocking a shot more than the entertainment value of watching a teacher teach. That being said, it sucks that entertainers make more than teachers; but that's best left to another thread and another forum, I guess. ------------------ "I'll tell you this, the older I get, the less I trust people. It's true. It's damn true." -- gr8-1 going through some growing pains.
Now that you've re-stated, I can agree with you, Mr. SuperMac. Since this thread has gotten so far off topic,(not really sure what the original topic was) it's time for me to move on to another. Again, it seems to me the whole point of the post was to fire a debate, maybe personal, maybe not. The question that Arbitrator posed was really lame. Of course Dream helps this team or any team for that matter. That should be obvious. If he wants to pick a fight he should do it in the hangout forum. I'm sure he'll get what he seeks there. ------------------
Mr. Kagey, I do believe you have mistaken me for someone else. I am no alter ego, and I have no prior record of participation here. As such, I have no clue why you feel the need to bring insults to this thread when I have not insulted you, and have continually persisted in trying to push forward with one singular question. Please accept my apologies if I've said anything you have been offended by, but I can not think of anything (therefore I am puzzled by your hostility). Several other individuals have said I am "busted" - I'm sorry - I really am not anyone else but who my name says. This is my first attempt at being a poster on the ClutchCity BBS and frankly I am dissappointed at how I am being treated. For others who are turning this into a political conversation, I think when I responded to Mr. Colby's comments I made it clear that I had no desire to turn this into a political discussion - Mr. Drex, you might be dissappointed with your salary, but perhaps there are other locations for you to share your frustration. I am still interested in in-depth discussion about the potential role of Mr. Olajuwon on the team, if anyone is interested in providing that, please do, it seems as if more people enjoy insulting me (for unknown reasons) than actually recognizing the legitimacy of the question... ------------------
Mr. Bigman, I am sorry, I really am not trying to pick a fight - what leads you to believe this? I asked a question plain and simple - and it is one most have not actually discussed. People have discussed how Mr. Taylor fits into the rotation and "chemistry" of the team and there have been multiple topics devoted to this subject praising him for his "talents" and viability in the Power Forward position, however no one has actually sat down and discussed the potential for Mr. Olajuwon to play a role in the offense. More people are concerned with "nostalgia" and wanting to keep him in a uniform then actually considering the merits of his skills. As I've said before, sometimes when players don't recognize their contributions to a team they feel as if they are unwanted and are merely a liability. Sometimes fans are so enthusiastic they say things such as "DIE TOMJANOVICH!" because they are so concerned with the well-being of the team. I am merely trying to get past the onconceivable notion that Mr. Olajuwon may play for another team and ask - from an objective standpoint - how his presence absolutely benefits the potential rotation schem - including the new rules as established by the NBA. ------------------
You know, I can comprehend how someone could misspell my name when I give it to them over the phone. But I am at a loss to explain how someone could misspell it when it's written out in front of them. Don't bother with the protestations of innocence. Your first post may have been removed, but it hasn't been forgotten.
Mr. Kagy, I apologize for incorrectly spelling your name. As for my first post on this thread - I still see it - I don't understand why it should be removed, as there are no potentially offensive things in it. ------------------
Dream's role in the offense will be to punish the Eastern team's weak 5's...among other things.Whatever league he is going against you can bet he'll bring great defense,changing the game there as usual.Posting up and coming out and hitting the 15-20 J will be the plan.He'll control the boards most nights when he's in there.We flat out need him.I'm looking for anywhere from 20 -35 min.a night from our man.Looking at the circumstances surrounding the last couple of years,I can easily see Dream playing several more years at a high level.Yes,the guy has always loved the cash and has been a good business man.Whatever "confusion" led to the problems,I think it's over...Like Kareem,Wilt,and so many other of the great centers Dream will adapt his game.He's still got the ability to take people inside just about at will.On defense Rudy has to be smart,coming with the double teams against Shaq and when needed.I really think he came to a crossroads in his personal life and on the court as well.I look for a big season from him and see him fitting into our concept very well.He will be an integral part of this team and given a full season will surprise.I honestly think he got to the point where he was becoming unhappy and his heart wasn't in it for awhile.Now,it is...Lets get it on. ------------------ Everybody has a little bit of Watergate in em - Billy Graham [This message has been edited by hardwood (edited July 26, 2001).] [This message has been edited by hardwood (edited July 26, 2001).]
None of this would be happening if Dream had retired last year like he said he was! I mean it was his farewell tour... They gave out bobble heads at the last home game, it was touted as Dream's last game. We cheered our @sses off for him. All year long it was "Dream's last year" and now he wants to play some more? Like I've said in other posts, the man should've retired while he was/is still respected. If he moves on to another team, he might be picking up garbage minutes off the bench for some scrub team. If he stays with the Rockets, he could be a factor in the middle for us. He could block some shots and make some passes, but he won't get the ball like he used to. The other question that keeps coming up is can he even hang and play 50+ games. How do we know his leg/vein problems won't return or his asthma won't act up, or his heart murmurs may return?? He can't command the money like he used to. He's up there in age and has difficulty running with the young kids these days. He's just finished cashing in on his last contract deal which was oogles of money for 5-6 years... Now he wants double digits for two years?? Dream, if you want to keep the team together, play for the minimum and sign the young bucks, everyone's respected you up until now, respect us and help this team. Like you need a double digit salary... Can he earn a double digit salary is the question? If he proves he can, then that would be great, give him a bonus at the end of year. We as fans, don't have the answers, but we love to speculate and we will continue to speculate, bash, love, hate until something happens. When it does, we'll accept it and move on. I've ranted. If you (the reader/poster) wants to pick this apart and flame me, then go for it, I'm not gonna get my feelings hurt. rH ------------------ Updated: The Psychedelic Groove House of Rockets Basketball Love! join the club! Rockets Psychedelic Groove House Club on Yahoo! Stop annoying X10 ads! This link will set a cookie on your system that will disable X10 ads for one year! GO ROCKETS... and if you must, Go Hakeem! [This message has been edited by rockHEAD (edited July 26, 2001).]
Okay, this is strange, even for Brian. Could someone please fill me in on what exactly is going on? I realize most of us feel the need to be rude to anyone that discovers clutchcity.net, but this seems a bit over the top. Anyone? Who is Arbitrator? More importantly, why are his tame comments evoking these caustic responses? ------------------ Everything is proceeding as I have foreseen...
You have a distinctive writing style Arbitrator. Too distinctive in fact. ------------------ The time for logic and reason has come and gone. It's homer time now. Believe.
Let me put it this way Achebe, I have a rule, never be unnecessarily rude to new posters, because I was one once, not to long ago, so if I'm rude to Arbitrator I'm not breaking my own rule! ------------------ "Instruments are like women: After a while, you want to make love to another." - Nicolas Godin of the musical duo Air [This message has been edited by RocksMillenium (edited July 26, 2001).]
I'm sorry Mr. RocksMillenium, are you implying that I am not a "new poster" or are you implying that there is need to be "necessarily rude" to me? If you could clarify I would appreciate it. Thanks. ------------------
