This is from CNNSI: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/basketball/index.html TORONTO (AP) -- Hakeem Olajuwon's NBA career appears to be over. Olajuwon has a serious back injury, and the Toronto Raptors are awaiting a decision on whether he will retire. Toronto general manager Glen Grunwald said Monday he doesn't foresee Olajuwon playing this season. Toronto coach Lenny Wilkens said he expects a decision from Olajuwon soon. "We're going to know in a couple of days," Wilkens said. The 39-year-old center is in Houston, where he spent 17 years playing for the Rockets before joining the Raptors before last season. He has been excused from training camp by Toronto. "He can either try and play or decide it's too much," Grunwald said. "We don't expect him to play this season or in the foreseeable future." Olajuwon, who led the Rockets to NBA championships in 1994 and 1995, went to the Raptors in August 2001 after turning down a three-year, $13 million contract offer to stay in Houston. He signed a three-year, $18 million contract with Toronto. "It was a gamble and I think we lost on it," Grunwald said. "It didn't turn out the way we had hoped." Olajuwon averaged 7.1 points and 6.0 rebounds in 61 games last season. Grunwald denied the Raptors were negotiating a buyout to his contract. Olajuwon is due $12 million over the next two seasons. "We had hoped he would be here for a couple of more years, but it doesn't look like that's going to be the case," Grunwald said. "It could have worked great, but it didn't. We have to move on now." Olajuwon was selected as one of the NBA's 50 greatest players and was on the 1996 gold medal-winning Olympic basketball team. He is a 12-time NBA All-Star.
Darn...and I got tickets to that game on Nov.2. Oh well, at least I get to see Steve, Yao and all the rest... Hmm...kind of wished I got to see him as well, though.
Thanks for the update, Ball. You should post more often. It's painful to see things ending like this for Dream, isn't it?
This just in ... Dream is toast. But very good toast, and well worth the exposure Toronto got out of him last year. Come back to Houston. Take the job offer in Rocketsland and enjoy the laurels you deserved last year when you should have either accepted Les' offer or retired in a Rockets uniform. Suck it up. Call it a day. Admit you learned what was obvious to everyone all along. Thanks for the memories.
It would be cool if Dream could suit up for 1 game as a Rocket. Make this beeotch complete. Ya smell me???
Why would Hakeem take a job with the Rockets or anyone for that matter? That guy has all the money he needs. I imagine he will enjoy life the way all of us dream about. (no pun intended) os
Well, ya KNOW he's gonna be involved with us somehow ... eventually. I would bet my ENTIRE savings on it. My savings = $31 'til payday.
OP, Is this some of your insider info? Are the Rockets trying to bring Dream in to coach, and help Yao with his low post moves?
Just a simple question. Does anyone think it might be part the fault of the Rocket family that Hakeem did not retire when his contract was up. Remember the last 3-4 years when he normally played poorly and he was still cheered by the fans and never a word in the media about his play. The Rockets were hardly ever on national tv so who knew except us Rocket fans watching every game. But then I am sure most, like myself, thought we owe him and he is going to retire when the contract is up and then we can rebuild. Well then he changed his mind and wanted to continue to play, if we the fans and media in Houston would have been honest with him would he have retired?
Far from it... Olajuwon had brainwashed himself (and the Craptors) that he could still play for 3-4 years... He was dead wrong, but was able to fraudulently take 5+ million from the Craptors. I'm glad the Rockets held firm, and refused to give in to Olajuwon's demands. The Rockets must look to the future, not the past. Bringing Dream back in any capacity, even as a mascot, is a step in the wrong direction. I don't want Dream to be involved at all with the Rockets anymore, it's just more chances for him to open his mouth and complain or bash the Rockets. He's done more harm than good for this organization since 99. Move on people...
I f Hakeem came back within the next two years to play or coach, I think the Rockets would have to be responsible for some of the contract money owed to him by Toronto.
Does anyone know if the Rockets would be responsible for money owed Dream under the Raptors contract? I do not think so. His contract is with Toronto. If he coached, but did not play - Rockets are not liable-imho...... Is this covered under the collective bargaining agreement?
He might. I remember reading that he came down to Houston to consider his options. He may just do it here, then. On the other hand, he may go to Toronto since everyone else is there like the coach, GM, owner, Vince, etc. They usually do conferences with most of those guys. It would be cool to have a press conference with Rudy T, CD, and Les instead of the Raptor organization.
RC, I think the only way he does a press conference with CD, Les and RT would be if he was accepting a front office or assistant coaching job with the Rox. Otherwise, why do it? I dont really see him coaching, his play was always about natural ability, which is not something that can be learned/taught.. I wish I was wrong, I wouldn't mind seeing him come back and get a 10 day so he could retire in a Rox uni..That would be fitting IMO...but I aint counting on it.
