No, there is no indication Fegan "hijacked" Olajuwon's decision making. However, it is clear that the manner in which this "negotiation" has proceeded was left entirely to Fegan. The Rockets offer has not changed substantively (I don't really consider the third year/2mil guarantee a big change), and if there were no way that would come anywhere near satisfying Olajuwon, he/they should've said so weeks ago, so the organization could get on with its other business. This is not to mention the whole Vescey thing. If it turns out he did reject a pretty good S&T offer for the Rockets, and ends up in Toronto anyway, I will be even more annoyed... ------------------
First of all the Raptors are NOT a better team than the Rockets period. Did you see the games the Rocks played against Toronto. They were rapings. Second of all the East makes them look alot better than they are. Hakeem would definitely help their team, but he would help ours also as long as he didn't see himself as the go-to guy. As much as I want Hakeem to stay, what would happen after he left 2 yrs from now. I'd much rather look for another center now than 2yrs when we're back to where we started. Also how much more TOTAL money was Hakeem getting in Toronto. It wasnt more than 2-3 million right? How much did he sell out for? Someone tell me...I hope Hakeem doesn't seriously think he'll get another ring, because there is just as much if not more to get one here, if he played like he did against Dallas this year. So someone answer, how much more total money was it, to leave us after so many years and dissapoint??? ------------------
I don't post much anymore because I am usually too busy to breath, but I've kept up with the Hakeem situation and others' posts on the bbs, and I have one think to say about Hakeem: he's worth more in his head than he is on the court. Pride is important, but not paramount. Hakeem ain't worth what he thinks he's worth. Past services are not worth much in present value terms. Hakeem seems to recognize that by claiming through his agent that he wants to be paid for what he can d rather than for what he has done. But let's look at what he can do for us now, and try to put a dollar value on him...o.k., I give up. All I can do is look at some aging centers and see what they are getting: Ewing-not much, and a one year deal; Robinson-not a ton of money, and a two year deal; Mutombo-old, but still defensive player of the year, and not silly putty like Hakeem. My point is that Hakeem deserves less than Robinson nd Mutumbo, but more than Ewing. That's where I see him. So about 4.5-5 million for no more than two years is fair compensation for a guy who's injured a lot, and only produces well on bobble-head night. I'm so sickof Hakeem's crap that I really want him gone. He might be worth the salary this year, but for two more years-no way. The only way I'd do a multi-year deal with Hakeem is to front-load his contract so he could be tradeable or waivable when he stinks it up. I'd like to see Hakeem retire in a Rocket's uniform. Too bad he didn't see the arena lights dimming two years ago. Now I'll remember him as, as, well, a whiney little bi%$#. Adios Hakeem. ------------------ Vice-president of the Jason Collier Police
Having said that, it is becoming more and more apparent that (Vescey aside), Dream never really had any intention of staying here. Unless the Rockets offered silly money (say, the same $16+M contract), his only use for the organization was for sign-and-trade purposes. Further, if we accept that supposition, the last few weeks really have been nothing but a giant circle-jerk on the part of Olajuwon (and his agent). I'm disappointed that the NBA superstar formerly known as 'Dream' would act in such a way to the organization. Respect goes both ways. Thoughts? ------------------
I think Dream is worth his asking price... for the right team. For a team that is going to be over the cap for the rest of Dream's career (with or without him), he's easily worth more than any team is currently offering. That's because his salary will not be a burden to the team's improvement. But for a team in the midst of a struggle with the salary cap -- like the Rockets are -- he's worth about $4 million. That's the threshold before he's a burden to the future competitiveness of the team. This is nothing to be mad about. Toronto is in a better position to pay Olajuwon than Houston is. Toronto is also in a better position to play Olajuwon (they can reasonably expect to compete for the Conference crown while Houston cannot -- not because they are better, necessarily, just that they play in the East) as well. Toronto is just a better fit for Olajuwon in his career right now. I for one think he should play there, for his own sake. Aside from that, I don't see anything Fegan has done in dealings concerning Olajuwon to earn any disrespect. There is no indication that he is hijacking Dream's decision-making. He hasn't done anything underhanded that I know of. There have been no complaints about him being unreasonable or a jerk. The only strikes I see against him are (1) he's an agent and (2) he hasn't talked to the media. Big deal. ------------------ RealGM Gafford Art Artisan Cakes
