I thought hakeem retired a long time ago... i never seen him in a long while... was he hiding behind the bench?
What a terrible way to end such a fantastic career. It's just sad. Hakeem should have stayed in Houston to finish his career. It was a mistake going to Toronto, where he did nothing. But, I guess the money was his main reason for going there. Still, it is sad to see his carreer end by him being waived.
He knew he couldn't play but if he retired instead of waiting to get waived he didn't get paid. (I believe that's how it works). The Rockets should sign him as a formality then let him retire as a Rocket!!!!!!
He got about 17 million from the raptors for what amounted to be one season of crappy ball. I think Hakeem the businessman made a calculated decision to play out his final years in Toronto. Where else could he make that much money in such a short time? I don’t blame him for leaving at all.
Seriously doubt it. Didn't Moses Malone finish his career still trying to find a 10-day contract? As I recall, Calvin Murphy didn't "retire" so much as he just didn't get invited back. I think there have been quite a few HOF's that suffered a similar fate.
Actually, I think it was the money. IIRC, he felt screwed in his early years (he professed loyalty to Houston early on, his agent was a n00b, and he settled for a lot less money than what he was worth...). I think he was just trying to get his just due, all 17 million of them.
and do you remember how much Haleem was getting here the year before he left? 15 or 16 Mil.. and he had been getting that for at least 3-4 years before he left. Jeff, what would you figure the odds are that the Rockets would sign him to a contract of some kind so he could officially retire a Rocket? Is there too much bad blood, or could we even do it in the first place? I'm really curious, I really think it would be great for him to retire a Rocket.
sorry i dont think it would serve any purpose at all to sign a 10 day contract. Hes a rocket everyone knows that and a pointless contract will not renforce that at all.
It wouldn't need to be a 10-day, just a 10-minute. Sign him, he sends his retirement letter to the NBA, and that is that. I don't think the league would even force the Rox to have a roster spot available for something purely ceremonial like that. I don't think it will happen (especially given JVG and his sidekick), but it would be a classy move for an owner whose recent actions have been sorely lacking in that area.
I wouldn't say "ALL." The money was certainly a large part of it. However, I genuinely believe Olajuwon thought there was still something in the tank, and that the changes in the Rockets did not facilitate his diminishing skills.
Hakeem already officially retired in Houston a year ago. The fact he was still under contract and had to be waived was only a formality.
