If the Rockets had shown Hakeem respect, he would have retired a year ago. The guy only went to play in Toronto because he felt unwanted. He put up all those crazy numbers...better then yao will put up this year if China even lets him play....all the Rockets had to do was ask him. You want to play another year or retire". Way before his contract ended. "If you want to play another year, tell us what you want". Hakeem would have signed a one year deal for 4 million at most, or called it quits. He only got pissed off when Houston seemed to want him to retire as if he was an old father ready for the home, and then Toronto saw an opportunity and started the bidding war playing off of his ego. The papers documented the Rocket's gaffs. And the fans didn't seem that interested really.
That's simply not true. There are a lot of awful teams that sell out. Just accept it. It may hurt your Houston Pride, but admission is the first step in fixing the problem.
Wrong. False. Any other word for wrong that comes to mind. Hakeem wanted to be the focal point of the offense AND he wanted $16 to $17M to do it. That was his stance from the very start. When the Rockets wouldn't give it to him he started fielding other offers...and he landed in Toronto. That is what happened. Don't rewrite history.
He was asked several times, over the past several years. He changed his mind. The deal you speak of is worse than Houston's reported initial offer. You read interesting papers, because everything you just said is wrong. Every post you've made has been directly, or indirectly bashing Houston. And every single one has been, to put it succintly, wrong.
You just don't get it. Stop making excuses...it doesn't matter why Houston Fans are fair-weathered...they just are. All that means is that when the team sucks, they don't care. A city the size of Houston shouldn't have a problem selling out it's sporting events or at least being competitive with other major cities. The irony is that Houstons low-interest in sports hurts the teams. Even the Texans saw a drop off in viewer ship when the team got behind early. It's in the Chronicle. I'm not trying to put you down, although it might seem like it. I just resent fair-weathered fans because I'm a diehard one. I resent them where-ever they go, and they seem to go to Houston.
If you're defending Houston, clearly you must have Houston Pride. And if you are from another city, you should know your statement is untrue...unless you come from someplace like Atlanta.
I just told you that the younger people who grew up in Houston as opposed to being transferred here really love these teams and continue to go to games even when the teams suck. I know this because I am at the game and SEE them. But you don't want to listen to logic...nope...you've made up your mind and we're ALL fair weather fans. TROLL!!!!!!!!!!
I'm defending Houston, because the things you are saying about it are incorrect. Bandwagoner and Fair-Weather fans exist everywhere throughout the nation, they are not exclusive to Atlanta and Houston. If a team is winning people care, witness the explosion of Yankee "fans" all across the nation since '95. People like being associated with winners, so they flock to them wherever they are. Likewise, people don't like being associated with losing teams - so they avoid them. That's just how it is - everywhere - in this country.
I am not sure what contract you are refering to but the Rockets offered a 2 year contract with an option on a third. Hakeem wanted the 3rd year guaranteed but the Rockets balked. Hakeem's agent worked out a deal for a 3 year guaranteed contract with the Raptors and the S&T was made. Nobody told Hakeem to retire, nobody asked he to retire. Seems very illogical to ask a player to retire and offer him a 2 year guaranteed contract at the same time. You might want to get your facts straight before using them to validate your point of view..
I had the privilege of watching Olajuwon for his entire Rockets career and was saddened by losing that privilege to his injuries over the last 5 or so years. Although it would have made a a more pallateable story for me if he had retired in 99 or so, I would have milked the market for millions more too if I were him. Why he chose not to do that in Houston is beyond me, however. At least here he would have been able to play the elder statesman and respected pine-warmer instead of the disabled, whining locker-room cancer he has become. Cato does suck, but when Ming gets in foul trouble, at least he will be available to play and collect fouls himself with an occasional block or two. Besides, it's pretty entertaining when Cato gets his one or two thunder-dunks per game and gives that "I'm-the-baddest-mutha-in-the-building" scowl as if he's actually earning that money. He won't be taking any shots away from anyone either.
Batman, I've been doing this (defending Hakeem) for at least a year now, so forgive me for not addressing your points. Frankly it just gets tiresome. To say I'm outnumbered would be a huge understatement. I enjoyed your post though. I think the best thing to do in this situation is ask anyone who's interested to look at this great thread started by JAG (Macbeth) almost a year ago: Credibility: Hakeem or the Rockets? I think there's some great stuff in there. Certainly better Hakeem discussion than has been going around lately. Lots of stuff showing my thoughts on the matter as well as Macbeth, HayesStreet, Will, and heypartner.
Refman, you've said this multiple times. As Puedlfor would say, you're just wrong. He did not want to be the focal point. That is just wrong. He was not the focal point in his last season here, and there was some beautiful basketball going on for a stretch. The team was winning. Hakeem was happy then. On the wanting 16-17 mil thing, I really don't know where you came up with that. That is just completely made up. Please quit making these incorrect assertions. Ref, your cooperation is appreciated.
One last thing on the Houston as a bad sports town topic... It's completely true. 1994 Conference Semis, Game 1, Rockets vs. Suns in the Summit. Seattle had just been upset, giving the Rockets homecourt throughout the playoffs. First time the Rockets had advanced to the second round since '87. 2,000 empty seats in the Summit. The Astros - second-best record in baseball in the decade of the 90s. Check the attendance, however, during that same time period - near the bottom. The Oilers - gone. Did the city raise a stink when they left? No, they didn't care. You may say it was because they hated Bud, but are you telling me Cleveland didn't hate Modell for what he did? Yet Cleveland was pissed when the Browns left. Houston didn't care. A "Save the Oilers" rally attracted like 10 people. People may disagree when it comes to WHY the Oilers left, but I don't think there is any dispute as to what the reaction of the city was after it happened. I really don't think you can say with a straight face that Houston isn't a pathetic sports town after those examples. Peace.
It was closer to 1500, and that game was on Mother's Day. Your history is wrong. The Rockets advanced to the second round in 1993 (against Seattle). All six games of the '93 playoff run sold out, and with the exception of the afternoon in question, every other game in the '94 playoff run to the championship also sold out.
I agree with everyone, We should not make that bonehead trade, were trading a legit backup for a washed up has-been(no offense Dream) Olaujuwon CAN still play, but he'll be injured all season....there's no doubt. Cato is a legit backup and he'll do fine. Carrol Dawson still needs to keep his ears open for trade talk regardin Cato, Mo, and Rice. But the dream isnt the answer. The old dream is over but a new dream is about to begin.
I don't think the problem is how to sign Hakeem, the problem is if he'll even sign. What a sad day in sports it is, to see such a great legend retire so early
