Its about time a Rockets player says something. I don't care what Bullard's role with the team is, whether he only shoots threes or not, at least he shows some loyalty and if what Jeff says is true about Bullard taking a leadership role, then more power to him. Another thing is this stuff about,"If it weren't for Hakeem, we wouldn't have two championships....yadda, yadda, yadda." The way I and many other fans see it, Hakeem got paid for his miracle-working. (75 million over 5 years). And if you remember, Hakeem said that the last contract he had would be his last, so the Rockets planned to rebuild during Hakeem's last season. This was the season that Rudy T and CD were waaiting for, and so now that Hakeem decides he wants to play again, the Rockets brass has to throw out the plan they've had for three years, and do "whatever it takes" to resign Hakeem. Well to all the "Hakeem is so important" people, which is more important: Signing Hakeem and postponing the rebuilding process? -OR- Sign Hakeem, he only plays 50-60 games at the most, and hear his incessant whining about not being the main option, and perhaps losing Taylor or Anderson. Hey look, I love Hakeem, I have his autographed Olympic jersey hanging over the mantle in my house. But I will not stand by and listen to how offering Hakeem "only" 4.1 million is insulting. Hakeem has made his money, its time for him to do the right thing. ------------------
Everyone loves to exaggerate Hakeem's "winning about touches". All the guy wants is to play! ------------------ Protrolls.com! Keep the ???? alive! The ZRBucks!
Well if all he wants to do is play, then swallow the pride, take the "measely" 4.1 million, and start training and getting ready for the season. Quit jerking the Rockets around. ------------------
If Mo, Moochie, and Shandon sign elsewhere because they get tired of waiting for Dream then there is no one to blame but Rudy & CD. Olajuwon can't make them wait on him. If the Rockets management was concerned with our free agents signing with someone else they would have already renounced Dream and taken care of them. ------------------
Bullard is more to our team than a 3rd stringer 3 point shooter, ZRB, and you know that. They would not have resigned him all these years if he wasn't. The guy is a great presence in the locker room, and a fan favorite (even though he is not a HOF or a guy who brought a championship to Houston). Did you not read Jeff's post above? Is lockerroom leadership and outspeaking absolutely valueless? Dream doesn't have these qualities. Don't you think that the "leader" of the team and guy who you want to pay more money than anyone else on the team should at least be somewhat vocal to the other players? Or is Dream too good to communicate with his teammates? Bullard answered a question about Dream. I am sure that Matt would not have worded it the way he did unless he felt it necessary. The guy is intelligent. We are not privy to the "inside the box" goings on, and I would say that if Matt Bullard felt it necessary to semi-criticize Dream for his tactics, then there was a damn good reason. ------------------ Life is a **** sandwich. The more bread you have, the less **** you have to take. You can Run from the bet, you can Rave at the bet...but you just can't hide. [This message has been edited by Raven Lunatic (edited July 25, 2001).]
The Rockets need to figure out all the others players salaries, then make an offer to Dream, take it or leave it. He's seen what everyone else is offering him. Let's get this thing on the road, people! S**t or get off the pot! 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!
I pretty much agree that Hakeem's status as related to Bullard's is irrelevant, as is his role on the team. In my mind, NO ONE should be publicly telling someone else what he/she should with regards to his career decisions. It is completely beyond the scope of Bullard's business. Sure, Hakeem's decision will affect Bullard, just any co-worker's decision effects others, but it's his decision, not Bullard's. Frankly I have never seen this before: One player publicly telling a free agent to hurry up (therby possibly reducing his options, leverage, and/or future salary) so that the complaining player's team can get on with other matters. That's just ridiculous. First of all, Houston CAN get on with other matters right now, this minute, if it decides it would rather do that than wait for Hakeem to decide. Secondly, there is an established CBA, that both players (Bullard included) and owners have agreed to abide by, and Hakeem is completely operating in the time frame established by that agreement.What right does Bullard have to tell another player that HIS perception of the timeframe supercedes that agreed to by both interseted parties, simply because he doesn't like the way that schedule might effect his team? Thirdly, I don't disagree with Bullard's desire...AS A FAN...But he's supposed to be a fellow professional, and should therefore act professionaly.Hakeem is currently in negotiation to find/get the best situation/contract for himself, and he is using the tools/options available to him by the system, the same system which has afforded Matt Bullard to live in relative luxury for playing basketball. How selective of him to decide when and where the line should be drawn for another player. Lastly, while I too am anxious to find out what's going to happen with Hakeem, and hope it doesn't negatively effect our other FA's, I also wonder how open to unsolicited public advice Bullard will be should he come up for free agency in the future... ------------------
Bullard is FANtastic! ------------------ ------------------------- I Have MY Sources. E=MC2 ------------------------- DO ONTO OTHERS BEFORE THEY DO ONTO YOU.
Wasn't it Bullard who was sent to Detroit with Horry for Sean Elliott many moons ago in a trade that was nullified. I should think that Hakeem could graciously accept 4 times as much money at this juncture as Sir Charles did a few years ago to make way for Da Pip. Bye Hakeem. ------------------ "How far you go in life depends on you being tender with the young, compassionate with the aged, sympathetic with the striving and tolerant of the weak. Because someday you will have been all of these."
Enough about Bullard's "locker room leadership" crap. I like Matt Bullard and think he's a good guy and obviously a great shooter, but Bullard would probably be in the CBA if not for Hakeem. He has no right to publically criticize Hakeem for anything. As for this Bullard is a tremendous leader take, give me a break. If you listen to Steve Francis, he is very vocal about how much he respects and admires Hakeem. Ditto for Mo Taylor, who cited Hakeem's presence as one of the reasons he wanted to play for Houston. Eddie Griffin says he hopes Hakeem is back and would love to play next to him. You don't hear people saying they would be honored to play alongside FRIGGIN CBA caliber Matt Bullard. Bullard just may be the worst defensive forward in the history of the NBA. Leadership does not always have to be vocal. Was Jack Haley a great leader because he related to Dennis Rodman while other Spurs didn't? I think not. Francis has been quoted throughout the season as saying he has the utmost respect for Olajuwon and loves being Hakeem's teammate. Hakeem's presence alone without saying anything is leadership enough because he represents what winning and competing are all about. I've never heard Francis say anything to that effect about Matt Bullard though, surprisingly enough. I guess he just does it behind closed doors. Bullard needs to shut his mouth and remember why he is in the NBA in the first place. I'm really surprised he'd say anything negative about Hakeem in the first place. ------------------ Get Cato out of there...
Money isn't an issue for the bull. he's been offered more to LEAVE teh Rox, than to stay. He'll sign for the 1mil vet min where he WANTS TO PLAY, Houston (as people are saying he impied on air). He's a player on the same team, and a fellow employee of the Rox. That gives him the right to talk. Personly, I'm glad one of teh players finally said something. Good (in a bad way) to see the fans aren't teh only ones who are getting pissed off. ------------------ D'oh! (_8(|) - a thought on Hakeem leaving
You know what's insane about some of the responses in this thread? People saying Bullard has no right to say what Hakeem should do (which technically he hasn't as far as I've read). Bullard can say whatever the hell he wants to say. Just as you people sit at home without a clue saying what the Rockets should and shouldn't do on a daily basis. What gives you your right? Hell, you're not even on the team. The other thing I find humorous is the people saying if this thing is being dragged out, it's Rudy and CD's fault. Lovely. So if they're doing everything to try and keep Hakeem and it's taking forever because Hakeem Olawantismoremoneyandplayingtime is taking his sweet time to decide, it's Rudy and CD's fault. And if Hakeem leaves, it's Rudy and CD's fault for not giving him what he wants. As many have said, if Hakeem wants more playing time, send him somewhere where he can get it. Of course, I can sit here behind a monitor and say this because I don't have to suffer the public backlash from fans wearing blinders saying we betrayed our legend. Hakeem has said often this is a business; yet his fans don't seem to treat it as such. As someone else said, if we lose Mo, Shandon, et al. due to us sitting here waiting on Olawantismoremoneyandplayingtime, I'm going to be one pissed off camper. We lose them, but we get a center who can go for 25-30 mins a game and probably for 1 or 2 more seasons at that. Woo hoo... let's rebuild around that. The other comment I love. "Well, everybody said they'd like to have Hakeem back and would like to play with him". Give me a freakin' break. What do you people expect them to say? Reporter : What do you think about playing with Hakeem Olajuwon? Steve Francis : He was pretty good in his day, but he can't keep up with us anymore. I wish we could get somebody that doesn't rely on an oxygen tank. Eddie Griffin : Damn, he's still around? I remember watching him play when I was 3. Doesn't matter. Another 30 lbs and I'll be the best center this team ever had. Mo Taylor : I wish his ass would hurry up because I've shown enough loyalty to this team. I need to sign on the dotted line. Bullard has every right to be worried about the team not being able to sign his teammates. He's part of the team. For you people saying he has no right is laughable. You all are just couch jocks sitting at home acting like you know far more than you do and are a part of something you're not. Go Rockets. ... and if you must, go Hakeem ------------------ "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.
Kudos to Bullard. Its about time Hakeem realizes that the Rockets and us (the fans) have put up with this crap long enough. If Dream doesn't want to play along side arguably the best backcourt in the league, then good riddance. Think about it...when in 17 years have we ever had anything CLOSE to a good backcourt (other than last yr). Lloyd and Wiggins? (sniff sniff...i cant shake this cold) Nah. Sleepy and Lucas? Nah. Kenny/Cassell and Mad Max? Better but not a gold star. Its time to sh*t or get off the pot Dream and I'm glad that at least one of the players thinks so too!!!!! ------------------
DOD- Very good post! Sums up my thoughts almost exactly! Bullard is a vet who has the right to speak his mind. No he isn't a great player but he's not a rebel-rouser either. Good job Bull!
Bullard did not "call out" Dream. If you saw the interview on tape, you clearly see a guy (Bullard) who wants to sign a contract. However, his comment was very nonchalant in nature, and can not be interpreted as combative in any way. ------------------
Oh, and another thing. I've watched as Calvin Murphy left this team. I lived through the years when your favorite players were Mike Dunleavy and Billy Paultz because they could feed you on any given night and that's about all you had to look forward to when watching the Rockets. I cried as a kid when Moses left this team and when he led the Sixers to the championship. I was pissed when we lost to the Celtics in the Finals. I hated Lew Lloyd, Mitchell Wiggins, and John Lucas for choking on a team when they needed them the most. I hated it when Pippen quit on this team. I've hated players and I've loved players. But the interesting point throughout all this is that I'm still a Rockets fan throughout all their decision-making. Players come and go, legends come and go, the team is forever. So all you fans that want to keep paying Hakeem for services rendered until he is 50, go buy your Hakeem Olajuwon cap from your local sporting goods store (I'm sure they have them, right?); I'll don the Rockets cap and say I'm a Rockets fan. Hakeem the Dream will be but a memory in 5-10 years. You don't win championships with memories - ask any Bulls fan. Keep speaking your mind Matt. What you're saying or implied is right. Hakeem needs to hurry up and make his decision as to whether or not he's going to be a team player or make this a "business" situation and traitor his team. ... no player is above the team. ------------------ "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.
Nice post doc! Thanks for the new addition to my sig! Go Rockets... and if you must, go Hakeem! 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!
So this makes Bullard Hakeems b**** the rest of his life? I think not! As someone said, Im a Rocks fan, and all the Hakeem fans can watch him from another team. In the mean time Hakeem, get your crap straight so we can get some people on the court who WANT to play for Houston! ------------------ "Where there is a will ... I want on it."
