http://espn.go.com/nba/s/drjackonhakeem.html Dr. Jack: Olajuwon a gentleman and a force By Dr. Jack Ramsay Special to ESPN.com Whenever Hakeem Olajuwon retires we have seen one of the great players ever. He was a tremendous team guy, a wonderful human being and a marvelously skilled center who ranks with the best centers of all time. It would not be inappropriate to talk of Olajuwon in the same breath as Bill Russell, Wilt Chamberlain, Bill Walton and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. Olajuwon played with the very best of them. For the Rockets, it hurts their chances this season. They've been making a strong push in the uphill battle that is Western Conference competition. Recently all eight teams that would have qualified for playoff spot were above .600. Houston was staring into that strength before Hakeem went down. The only team that may falter and allow the Rockets to squeak into the playoffs is Phoenix. But every time they seem down and out, the Suns come back. The last time these two teams faced each other, Phoenix won and it was a significant victory for them. If there was any way for Houston to continue their push, Kelvin Cato will have to be a significant factor. But the Rockets can score enough points even without Hakeem, so Cato's contribution will have to come on defense. If Cato can step up and be a defensive factor there is a chance Houston could still fight for the eighth playoff spot in the West. But it would be sad if this was the end of Olajuwon's career. He is one of the great gentleman and competitors to have ever played. He has graced the NBA by his presence. ------------------ The Rockets will be the NBA champions. Believe.
Well, he is right for once. Although, there should be noidoubt that Hakeem belongs with the best. HE IS THE BEST! ------------------ Hakeem "The Dream" Olajuwon is the greatest player in the history of basketball. If you disagree, you are not a Rocket fan.
With all due respect to Dr Jack, Minnesota has been playing like an accident waiting to happen. THey've lost something like 8 of their last 12, or something like that. And while Bill Walton was unbelievably talented, I saw him play on NBA.com older games and he was Awesome, he didn't have the longevity and high level of play as Dream, so I don't think he's on Dream's level. In fact Dream should be in that group, and Walton shouldn't be. ------------------ The Heart of a Champion still beats. . .
I don't particularly like most of the things that Dr.Jack says, but he hit that one right on the money. Another article from Reuters: http://dailynews.yahoo.com/h/nm/20010313/sp/nba_olajuwon_dc_1.html "One of the better players in the history of the Houston Rockets will miss the rest of the season with a blood clot in his lower left leg that clouds his future with the team and in the National Basketball Association." This needs to be corrected...it should read "The BEST player in the history of the Houston Rockets...". ------------------ [This message has been edited by DieHard Rocket (edited March 13, 2001).]
Walton was incredibly talented though, if he hadn't had those injuries he would have been one of the best ever. But not as good as Olajuwon. ------------------ The Rockets will be the NBA champions. Believe.
I missed the part about Bill Walton being in there. He had the potential to be one of the top 4, but didn't live up to it because of injuries. Potential to be great does not equal greatness. Hakeem is pure greatness. ------------------ Hakeem "The Dream" Olajuwon is the greatest player in the history of basketball. If you disagree, you are not a Rocket fan.
After hearing about Dream being out for the season, I'm glad this thread was about Dr. Jack Ramsey and not Dr. Jack Kervorkian. j ------------------ Some days you just can't get rid of a bomb!
At least ESPN did something to acknowledge this important moment. CNNsi.com, Thesportingnews.com, cbs.sportsline.com, and foxsports.com did nothing but put the AP article in their news section. Screw 'em. Screw 'em all. ------------------ The Rockets will be the NBA champions. Believe.
At least ESPN did something to acknowledge this important moment. CNNsi.com, Thesportingnews.com, cbs.sportsline.com, and foxsports.com did nothing but put the AP article in their news section. Screw 'em. Screw 'em all. ------------------ The Rockets will be the NBA champions. Believe.
At least ESPN did something to acknowledge this important moment. CNNsi.com, Thesportingnews.com, cbs.sportsline.com, and foxsports.com did nothing but put the AP article in their news section. Screw 'em. Screw 'em all. ------------------ The Rockets will be the NBA champions. Believe.
At least ESPN did something to acknowledge this important moment. CNNsi.com, Thesportingnews.com, cbs.sportsline.com, and foxsports.com did nothing but put the AP article in their news section. Screw 'em. Screw 'em all. ------------------ The Rockets will be the NBA champions. Believe.
