It's time. Dream...accept our offer or we'll work a sign in trade or just renounce you. CD, you've tried to find Dream a few more $$ by looking to clear some cap, but the NBA ain't playing...no ones looking for scrubs. We need to sign Mo, Mooch, and Bull. Maybe SA and HO can be packaged for something (except or draft picks) or someone (K. Clark, Mihm, etc.) of value. This waiting game is BS and just to stroke an over-the-hill legend. He deserves his props, but enough is enough. Just do it CD! Make it happen!! Now!!! ------------------
All this posturing and waiting is I'm sure a planned and strategic gameplan on CD's part. History has indicated that he is no fool. I feel certain that he has something up his sleeve and something is in the works. Do not forget, in the land of the blind, the one-eyed man is King (the other NBA GM's being fully blind of course). ------------------
I agree...I have said this before in other threads...the Rockets are up to something. If Hakeem was simply waiting to field offers to force our hand, then it seems his plan backfired and there is no reason we should still be in the dark. Unless Dream is trying to milk his contract at the expense of our other free agents, there is really nothing left to discuss. As I've said in other threads, I am a big fan of the Dream and would like nothing better than to see him retire as a Rocket. But enough is enough. The only realistic explanation I can come up with for all of this delay is that we have a plan involving other teams/players and it is simply taking some time to work out the kinks. I wouldn't be surprised is what eventually happens is so far out of left field that no one saw it coming. ------------------ "What did you mean when you opened your mouth and let all our secrets out?"
Whatever happens must happen soon. Not for the sake of the team or its fans. No, I'm talking about those pre-season NBA magazines. I buy them and read them on the EFX (elliptical machine) at the gym. Lots of brain candy to help forget that I'm bored and sweating and essentially running in place (hmn...a metaphor for my life...but I digress). Anyway, half of the teams' profiles are worthless because the magazines obviously went to print way before teams finished their transactions. I won't have that crap again this year. Hope the Rox make some moves soon. ------------------
I have faith in CD also, but I'm afraid he has come to the end of the line of options. CD may be getting backed into a corner and we all know, he'll fight his way out, but there will be a cost. Yes, I know everyone has suggested that Mo, Mooch, SA, and Bull have already agreed in principle to contracts and are just waiting on Dream's deal. Dream however, seems content on squeezing an extra mill or 2 from the Rox so fegut gets his commission. This is EXTREMELY dangerous. Why? Because now CD is desperate to deal for cap space and it appears no one wants are scrubs Cato or Wiz. Which means KT, SA, and maybe Mooch could be bait. SA can go, but not Mooch and KT is solid back-up that we better get decent value for if we pull the trigger. Yeah, I know be patient and CD's magic will work. I still have faith, but I'm getting worried that the vultures ain't playin' no more. ------------------
PDG, I'm with you on that one. Also,public support now there for moving Dream if that is part of the scenario. CD is no fool. Where's the coffee??
July 30, 2001, 2:26PM Rockets again increase offer to keep Olajuwon By JONATHAN FEIGEN Copyright 2001 Houston Chronicle The Rockets made a second major increase of their offer to entice free agent icon Hakeem Olajuwon to remain with the team, offering a three-year contract potentially worth as much as $13 million to their 17-year veteran center, sources with knowledge of the negotiations said today. The team had a two-year, $8.2 million offer on the table for a week when they added a third year, guaranteeing $10 million of the contract. Should Olajuwon accept and play all three seasons, he could be part of the team when it moves into its new downtown arena, scheduled for its official groundbreaking today. "We always want Dream to play for the Rockets," Rockets owner Leslie Alexander said. "He's one of the greatest players of all time. He showed at the end of the year he still has a lot left. He is still in the top echelon of NBA centers. "I've spoken to him. And I told him how much we wanted him back." Alexander, on his way to Houston for Tuesday's ceremonies to mark the start of the arena construction, was limited by NBA rules from commenting on the negotiations, or providing any details about the negations. Only the lead negotiator, Rockets general manager Carroll Dawson, and assistant negotiator, Rockets coach Rudy Tomjanovich, are permitted to comment on negotiations. Dawson would not discuss any details about the negotiations with Olajuwon or confirm that the team has revised its offer. The Rockets, who have several other key free agents, could renounce their rights to Olajuwon, sign him to smaller contract or let him sign with another team in order to have room to operate under the salary cap. The latest offer, however, could still allow enough cap space for the Rockets to sign free agents Maurice Taylor and Shandon Anderson, while retaining Matt Bullard and Moochie Norris with the "Bird rights" they have with both veteran free agents. Excluding the cap space occupied under league rules by the Rockets' unsigned free agents, the Rockets' current roster occupies slightly more than $24 million of the $42.5 million salary cap. "The negotiations are going pretty good," Dawson said. "We're trying and they're trying. That's why I went out to Utah." Olajuwon has met with the representatives of the Raptors, Pacers and Knicks and has received overtures from the Heat and Jazz. Sources said the Raptors also discussed a three-year deal with a team option for the last season. The Raptors initially offered a two-year deal worth $9.45 million if using the team's mid-level exception. The Raptors also have a trade exception worth more than $5 million in which the Rockets could receive future draft picks without using any of their current salary cap space. In that scenario, Olajuwon could accept a two-year, $10.5 million contract. If Olajuwon, 38, was to negotiate a three-year deal with the Raptors, it could be worth as much as $15 million if Toronto used its mid-level exception, and potentially more if the Raptors worked a sign-and-trade deal with the Rockets. But with the Rockets' latest offer, made to Olajuwon's agent Dan Fegan last week in Salt Lake City, no team has guaranteed more than the Rockets' latest offer. Dawson met with Fegan for about an hour on Thursday and they have spoken several times since. Any progress on signing Olajuwon could not be timed better with the ceremony for the arena construction groundbreaking scheduled for today. "It's nice to see," Alexander said of Tuesday's ceremony. "It's 10 years since I (purchased) the club. It's nice to see that we'll be in one of premier facilities in the NBA and will be able to compete for championships for years to come." ------------------ He's very popular, Ed. Sportos, Motorheads, Geeks, Sluts, Pinheads, Dweebies,Wonkers, Richies, they all adore him.
<marquee><font size=7 font color="blue">THAT'S SOMETHING!</font></marquee> ------------------ He must have an enormous schfashtuker! Well, of course. That goes without saying.
