The game against Minnesota marked an important point for the Dream. It was his 44th game of the year, which is the same # of games that he played in all last year. So, we can all ask ourselves the question, is he further deteriorating like so many of us predicted? Last year: 44 games This year: 44 games Last year: 10.3ppg This year: 10.9ppg Last year: 6.2rbs (1.5 ofennsive) This year: 7.3rbs (2.2) Last year: 1.7 TO This year: 1.4 TO Last year: .9 steals This year: 1.3 steals Last year: 45.8% FG This year: 48.3% Last year: 23.8 mins This year: 26.5 mins I think all of you get the point. He's fouling more this year (although that might just mean he's being more active and aggressive) and his blocks have remained the same, but Hakeem is once again an extremely productive center when he plays. Overall, I think we can conclude that he's gotten alot better. All of this, however, leaves open his future with the Rockets. The Rockets didn't trade him, but they've been very quiet concerning any chance of resigning him. It's early to be discussing this, but what does everyone think? Resign Taylor and Hakeem, or shoot for the moon for a chance at Webber and probably lose both? It's a tougher choice than it might seem at first glance, imho. Hakeem's better than he was last year. He hasn't shown signs of fading this year. Maybe that respiratory infection was simply an anomaly. Maybe the old warrior has a couple productive seasons left. In the center starved West, can we afford to NOT resign him? (Don't bother mentioning Cato, he's not an alternative.) ------------------ Why is it that everytime BC defeats a major conference opponent, that opponent promptly goes on a losing streak? PS. Notre Dame sucks [This message has been edited by haven (edited February 26, 2001).]
It would be so much safer to lock up Hakeem, Mo and Shandon rather than risking losing all of them for a chance at Webber. Still, if there is even a slight chance at getting Webber, the Rockets have to go for it. I don't envy the Rocket's front office right now. I can tell you this: I would be ecstatic if Hakeem was resigned. ------------------ "Rarely is the question asked: Is our children learning how to put food on their family while being put to death." [This message has been edited by ZRB (edited February 26, 2001).]
I think if we were able to do a sign and trade for Webber we would probably have enough cap room to offer him decent money...not near as much as we are paying him now, but maybe a third of it or so. If we are lucky we can convince Hakeem not to consider signing elsewhere until the Webber situation is finished and he has signed with someone(hopefully Houston). I have a good feeling about this offseason, whether we get Webber or not, that we will still be able to really improve our team. ------------------ "Steve is good. Steve is real good." -- Cleveland's rookie point guard Andre Miller on Rocket rookie point Steve Francis
Diehard: I think the dream scenario would be shipping Walt, Cato, and Anderson to Sacramento for Webber, then resigning Hakeem. I personally really like Anderson, but we'd have to give up *someone* with actual skills. That deal gives Sacramento a streak shooter, a large, athletic player with supposedly untapped potential to replace CWebb, and a defensive specialist that can occasionally explode for 25. Not as good as Webber, but the same sort of deal we had to eat when we traded Pippen. Then we could sign Hakeem for a few mill. Just my dream scenairo . ------------------ Why is it that everytime BC defeats a major conference opponent, that opponent promptly goes on a losing streak? PS. Notre Dame sucks [This message has been edited by haven (edited February 26, 2001).]
Hakeem keeps getting better..I think he will be all-star status again in 3 more years considering his upward trend! ------------------ Sometimes you gotta do the next best thing!
What's missing in this equation is what Dream wants. From many accounts, that was to get out of Dodge. He would rather be with a team of veterans than a batch of up-and-comers...even if they could be at the top in 2-3 years. I think if there's even money on the table from both the Rockets and the Heat, he is gone to Miami. If that's the case, I wish him well. He fulfilled his obligation to the Rockets, and (despite a rough patch) mostly did so with class. ------------------
edc: It's hard to "mostly do so with class." Class is one of those things that you either show, or don't. Hakeem didn't. I still like the guy, but let's not delude ourselves. If Zo is healthy, I don't think Miami is so attractive for Hakeem. He clearly wants PT as well as a winning team, and we can supply both next year. I don't think he'd want to come off the bench. ------------------ Why is it that everytime BC defeats a major conference opponent, that opponent promptly goes on a losing streak? PS. Notre Dame sucks
Good point, but can we get the prize free agent and keep hakeem? ------------------ Sometimes you gotta do the next best thing!
Don't forget that in the games since the All-Star break, Dream's been averaging a double double. That's what I expect him to do for the remainder of the season. Those kind of numbers probably deserve more than the league minimum, but when you take into account he's making 16 million this year ... I just don't know. But I do know that I'm a big Dream fan, and I hope if he's playing again next year, it's with the Houston Rockets. ------------------ Founding Father of the Refs Suck Club
