Hakeem goes ape vs. the Pistons

Maybe the Hakeem bashers should get over it. Wish the guy well and stop dwelling on his leaving. BTW: he had seven blocks against the Sixers the other day in a Raptors win. Great job Hakeem. Glad we have Willis and his 0-4, zero point, 2 rebound performances. Great replacement for Hakeem. But at least Willis can play more minutes than Hakeem.....er......uh.....damn!

 

Hey, I'm still out here ZRB.

 

Behad you're just from an older generation of Rockets fans (and there ain't nothing wrong with that!). To Gen X'ers and later Hakeem IS the identity of the Rockets. So maybe to you Hakeem's not intertwined in the Rockets identity, but to a lot of people he is. You're not wrong, just coming from a different perspective. And the fact that Hakeem brought not only the Rockets but the city of Houston to the promised land puts him a notch above Moses (although that ain't a diss on Moses since he was AWESOME and took us to the Finals on his back).

 

Hey DOD,

That's not all inclusive. I didn't mean that EVERY Gen-X'er thought that way, only that in comparison to Behad, some people had grown up with Hakeem always with the Rockets, and so his identity was intertwined with the Rockets identity. Obviously you are a 'what have you done for me lately' kinda guy, and so it doesn't apply to you. That is sad, but not really relevant. For some people the identity of a team they love is inseparable with their image of a particular player. For example if you were to play word association: Broadway Joe = Jets, not the Rams; Montana = 49ers, not the Chiefs....Earl Campbell = Oilers, not Saints. But most of those fans felt only love for those guys after they left.

 

Geez...how many times do we have to go through this? Are we going to have do this periodically until Hakeem retires?

Hayes Street:
As hard as it is for people to believe this, there was no bigger Hakeem fan than me. Hell, he was the reason why I started liking the Rockets. I have said numerous times that he is and will be the greatest Rocket of all-time. Whether anybody likes it or not (and that includes Hakeem), he will always be remembered as a Rocket and not a Raptor.

However, just because he did all those things, does that give him the right to mortgage the Rockets' future...does that give him the right to hold CD and Rudy T hostage with unreasonable contract demands? He has not shown that he could stay healthy the last couple of seasons to justify the type of contract he wanted. What happened to him retiring at the end of last season? I know, I know..he changed his mind, but by doing this and insisting an unreasonable contract, he really screwed up the Rockets' plan. Was it intentional? Well, you can guess what I think about that, but needless to say it put the Rockets in an extremely difficult position. Do you think that CD enjoyed seeing Olajuwon leave? Do you think any of us did? Better yet, do you think any of us enjoyed watching Olajuwon get his shot blocked by the rim or struggle up and down the court? It pained me to watch a legend go through this. I was really hoping that he wouldn't be one of those players who wants to "hang on."

Yet, Hakeem is a shrewd individual. He knew that he was in a win-win situation. He knew that the Rockets had committed to rebuilding the team around Francis and that he realistically was out of their plans. He also knew that if he continued to play, regardless if it was at a high level, the Rockets would be in a difficult position to explain to the fans why they let him go. I am a realist and a fan of the team. To me it was just not a smart business move to give Olajuwon what he wanted. Too bad that his ego got in the way and has made for an ugly exit.

I can't speak for Doctor of Dunk or any of the other "so-called" Olajuwon bashers, but I think that you will see that they just want what I want...a Rocket team that can make the playoffs again. If Olajuwon was re-signed to a 3 or 4 year deal worth 10 to 12 million a year, what would happen if he got hurt again, which would be inevitable..granted what has happened the last couple of seasons? You think things are bad now..I guarantee you that the Rockets are back to a mid 30 win season like they were in '99-00. Is that what we want? A team that is always mediocre like the Warriors or Nuggets or Cavaliers, etc. I don't know about you, but for me, no way in hell do I want this type of team.

Contrary to popular belief, I'm happy for Olajuwon (although I don't know if I ever will be completely 100% resolved of bitterness toward him). I hope he'll prove me wrong and be able to play 82 games. And bully for him, if he can keep producing respectable numbers. I just hope he doesn't do anything against the Rockets.

Now with that being said, I hope that everyone here can move on with their lives and we can end this soap opera known as "The Old and the Restless" (OK, so that was a little mean). We have bigger problems to worry about like how long Francis is going to be out instead of how an ex-Rocket, even though it is Hakeem, is doing with his new team.

 

Really I don't know why we'd rehash this either, except that some of you are still giving Hakeem less respect than he deserves. There is nothing wrong with Hakeem wanting to be integral to the team. There is nothing wrong with him wanting to get paid more than Cato or Moochie. He didn't hold anyone hostage. The Rockets didn't lose anything because there was a disagreement on his worth. He left for Toronto. Wish the guy well for his great service to Houston and stop being BITTER (your words).

So.......why did you write a three page diatribe showing how bitter you are about Hakeem? You could have said "I'm still so bitter that he left that I cannot be rational and wish him well' without the backhanded caveats about ego and cash? It seems like you WANT to move on. I encourage it.

 

I don't think he did value his importance to much, since he got a better deal from Toronto, and a promise to be more involved. If you're disappointed it had to end that way, that's one thing, but it shouldn't wipe out all the good he did for the team or the city and all the good memories of him you've GOT TO HAVE if your a Rockets fan.

Moses left to get a ring. Why don't you hate him?

Moses didn't think he could win here, so was more than happy to move to Philly. Did you hate Barkley for coming, forcing his way out of (two) town(s)? Do you hate Francis for forcing his way out Vancouver and coming to town?

There is a lot of territory in between 'kissing his ass for the rest of your life' and calling him names and going on and on and on about his ego/greed etc...

Could be because Moses was still in his prime. And because he went to a great team where he won another ring.

Again I'm not saying you guys shouldn't be disappointed. But what is the point of begrudging him the move, and the money, and the PT? What is the point in tearing him down and calling him names? Maybe you felt you deserved better, but I, for one, think he deserves to play his hand out however he wants. And I wish him Godspeed and good damn luck on his way. Thanks for the ride Hakeem. I can still remember what it felt like when we beat the Knicks. Like an anvil coming off my shoulders. Thanks.

 

OK, as long as we don't have to try and be rational or ethical or dare I say....fair, or honorable or grateful....then

YOU'RE A PUNK. THANKS FOR EVERYTHING HAKEEM.

 

Ummm, because you brought this thread back to life when it was essentially dead...that's why we are or should I say, you are rehashing this tired old story. I'll give you that there's nothing wrong with wanting to be an integral part of the team, but you don't call out your coach to the media about getting traded or wanting to be released ! It's as the good doctor said in an earlier post in this thread today, a lot of people have ill feelings towards Olajuwon because he orchestrated and forced his way out of Houston. I know you are a baseball fan, so maybe you can appreciate this: it's like when Jimy Williams always used to tell the Boston media (other than "manager's decision"), you got to keep things " in-house " and Olajuwon refused to do that when he said ridiculous things like "Pat Riley knows how to use a big man."

I hardly think it was 3 pages and I did a "diatribe" because you seem to be a logical poster, Hayes Street. Yes, we have locked horns before on the BBS, but I decided to give you the benefit of the doubt and respond to your previous post with a thought-out response. So, you don't want a thought-out post, but yet, if I give you something short, you would probably criticize that too..LOL!

It all boils down to this: Olajuwon never could handle that the Rockets became "Steve Francis's team" instead of his team. I feel sorry that he got hurt and didn't get to play like he did a couple of years ago, but it's like he made up in his mind that as soon as his contract was up, he was going to leave the Rockets and show them a thing or too. Having played 16 or 17 years with the Rockets would give him the appearance of being a victim and that the Rockets mgmt was to blame. Well, I think both sides were at fault, but Hakeem is surely no victim here, and I get sick to the point of throwing up when I hear people try to pass the blame off all on the Rockets mgmt.

Now, I see that you answered DoD's last post by calling him a punk...I hope that you can refrain from name-calling with me. Because nothing that you or anyone else can say is going to make me change my opinion. However, I don't expect to change your mind, either. So, let's agree to disagree on this, and at least understand why some people would be upset about this.

 

The people bashing Hakeem are the same people that preferred signing Bullard, Moochie and Taylor over Hakeem.

Well, they got what they wanted and now they want to belittle the man and his accomplishments.

Its amazing. These same people love the hell out of Barkley and always give that BS line about he took less money to stay! Barkley had a verbal agreement on his following contract.

 

Hayestreet, Azim- I apologize. You two are brilliant, and are obviously members of the Hakeem-defense club.

Manny- no one is requiring you to post. If you don't want to hear about Hakeem, don't read Hakeem-related threads and don't respond to them.

 

DoD's contention was that he wasn't interested in being consistent or logical. So I reverted to what was left...name calling.

I will say this about your interpretation of the events surrounding Dream's departure: You might keep it in house if there is ever a chance of it being resolved. IF there isn't, and it is clear that the Rockets were NOT going to give Hakeem a vital role, then you have no choice but to move on. It is silly to expect Hakeem to stick around if he was not really in the Rockets plans. The Rockets were naturally afraid of a PR backlash and by letting Dream know that he was not going to be central in their plans (both through their paltry contract offers and the on court decision making), they gave him a forced choice: stay and be a minor role player, or move on. He cried "foul," and rightfully so. Is there any doubt that Dream for 50 games is better than Cato for 82? Do you really expect a Hall of Famer to take less money that Mooch and still carry the load at center? The Rockets lost absolutely nothing from whatever delay in decision making that occured, so there was no harm done to the organization, and so you shouldn't say he hurt the organization. He had no choice but to move on and so you shouldn't say he disrespected the organization (your 'going public argument). AND all of that does not even scratch the surface of what the man did for the city (I know you're not from Houston so maybe it doesn't matter so much to you) or the team. IF you take that into account you should at least give him the benefit of the doubt and graciously and gratefully bid him a heroes farewell and wish him the best. Not go on and on about how he's a jerk, and he's greedy, and he's a baby...I like your baseball point but really you should remember that drawing on that scenario, you'd be Dan the Duke cryin how Clemens was in the twilight of his career....

 

Behad, of course the Rockets existed before Hakeem. Don't take me so literally. But I've already argued that the main reason the Rockets still exist is Hakeem. Like HayesStreet already said, when you think Rockets, you think Hakeem Olajuwon. That's what I mean by Hakeem being the Rockets. I can't stress enough how the Houston Rockets wouldn't even exist today if it weren't for Hakeem Olajuwon. Just show a little gratitude people by not insulting the guy. Is that too much to ask?

No one except people like Manny, who only seem to care about what happened during the last few months Hakeem was a Rocket.

DoD, I find it perplexing that you don't give a rat's ass about the person responsible for the team you root for still existing. You are in effect saying that Hakeem Olajuwon is just another player, being equal to a Scott Brooks. That is baffling to me to say the least. And Moses Malone was in Houston, what, a few years? 5 maybe? Hakeem was around for 20. Big difference there. 2 championships for the city. Another big difference.

You start out by saying you're not a "what have you done for me lately" guy, then go on to basically define the term by saying what took place at the end of Hakeem's (actually, what you perceive took place) tenure in Houston takes precedence over the previous 19 years. You say that even though you gave the city its only championships, and are responsible for the team still existing, "screw you" for what (allegedly) happened at the tail end of your stay here. How is that not the definition of "what have you done for me lately"?

DoD, I appreciate that you are one of the few posters who often says they like me...just got a hair up my ass to discuss this issue with you. Peace! (geez, what a wuss I am)

 

My two cents

1. It is impossible to speculate whether or not we would have won a championship if we hadn't drafted Hakeem. Lets say we didn't get the number one pick that year. There was still some guy named Jordan in that draft who might have had the stuff to win a couple of rings.

2. Hakeem didn't want a 1 year extension, he wanted a long term deal. While he may be earning all those duckets this year, will he still be next year...or the year after that.

P.S. I really don't think the Rockets or Hakeem was screwed or disrespected here. He didn't really want to come back, and the Rockets really didn't want him to anyway so who was screwed? You want to see a screwing? Check out what the Hawks did to Dominique Wilkins...thats a screwing.

 

I like you Freak...

 

So why bother with this argument?

PS. I like you to, Freak.

 

Oops.....wrong Hakeem thread. Carry on.