This from Espn on how Dream felt after the Mavs game. http://www.espn.go.com/nba/news/2000/1011/812642.html Hakeem looks to close a dream career HOUSTON -- The medical report on Hakeem Olajuwon after one exhibition game: so far, so good. Olajuwon is hoping for a victory tour year before ending his Hall of Fame career at the end of this season, but the Houston Rockets are closely watching an asthma-like breathing condition that cut short his 1999-2000 season. Olajuwon played 15 minutes of Tuesday's exhibition season opener against the Dallas Mavericks and after a half-time dose of medication, felt much better in the second half. "Today I feel more comfortable," Olajuwon said following Wednesday's practice. "So far, from the game yesterday, it's much better. I think now I can go out and accomplish something." The Rockets and Olajuwon don't want a repeat of last season when the Rockets missed the playoffs for the first time in 15 years and had their first losing season since 1983-1984. Olajuwon underwent hernia surgery last December and returned in mid-January but then missed the final 14 games with his breathing problem. Olajuwon takes medication to keep the condition under control and the Rockets hope it will allow him to have a final season that will be a tribute to his outstanding NBA career. Charles Barkley planned to play his last season with the Rockets a year ago but his season ended prematurely because of an injury. The Rockets want better for Olajuwon. "I think he's doing a lot better," guard Steve Francis said. "He's demanding the ball and he wants to take on his man. He's running the floor a lot better than he did last year." Still, Olajuwon was noticeably slow in post-practice conditioning drills, sitting down at one point while the rest of the team continued to run. While encouraged by Olajuwon's early effort, coach Rudy Tomjanovich is watching closely. "He only played 15 minutes and I don't want to make any judgments either positively or negatively about something I don't know," Tomjanovich said. "I'm glad he's here, that it's not so bad that he couldn't even be here. "But for now, I'm just looking for more data." Last season, Olajuwon had career lows with a 10.3 average, 70 blocked shots and 6.2 rebounds per game. Olajuwon's rebounding average has declined in each of the last four seasons. Olajuwon had trouble in the first half scare of Tuesday's 93-92 loss to the Mavericks. "The second half, I felt very comfortable," Olajuwon said. "The first half, my chest was burning. Practices have been wonderful. The games have been different. But in the second half, I felt comfortable. I'm encouraged to work out, improve." Olajuwon scored five points and got four rebounds against the Mavericks and already feels better than last season. "Oh man, what a difference (from last season)," Olajuwon said. "I was very relieved. I was coughing in the first half. But after taking the medicine, it was much better in the second half. I was trying to get my second wind. "I'm excited. I feel I can do much better." Olajuwon's breathing condition is not a problem during regular workouts. It's brought on by the intensity of games. He used an inhaler at the half to help control his breathing while playing the Mavericks. "I didn't know what to expect coming to camp," Olajuwon said. "I was training, preparing for camp. But I needed a game to see, I didn't have the power. But I ran comfortably. Now I'm comfortable to work hard, train, practice. It will come." The Rockets host Charlotte at Compaq Center on Thursday with Olajuwon expecting to take another step toward his final season. "He really felt good after the game, it's just something that we're going to watch and monitor," Tomjanovich said. ------------------ www.NOPostCount.com [This message has been edited by SmeggySmeg (edited October 11, 2000).]
http://bbs.clutchcity.net/ubb/Forum3/HTML/008911.html ------------------ In order to be a success in life, you need 2 things: 1. Don't tell everything you know.
