It really depends on how well he plays and meshes with the team. If he can get his offense together, be a force on defense, and STAY HEALTHY I would'nt be opposed to giving him a 1 or 2 million next year. I would'nt go any higher than that because at his age even a good season this year doesn't gaurantee a good one after that. I'm really pulling for Dream. I'd love to see him working the Dreamshake in the post with confidence and authority again but if father time and injuries have diminished him too much I'd rather him retire after this year and not lower his career averages and tarnish his image. ------------------ Moses begat Sampson, Sampson begat Hakeem, And Hakeem led us to the promised land
Heypartner-Is that the new rule with renouncing since the last lockout? I don't know what the new rules are but I know that in the past, when you renounce you're pretty much letting him go without much chance of re-signing... At least that's how I think the old rule was? ------------------
I don't think Hakeem himself is counting on coming back this season. In my opinion, he's just being very politically correct about what he is doing. Long have we known players who say "this is it," but come back and play the following season. Sam Perkins did. So did our very own Charles Barkley (so many times it's not even funny). Hakeem is saying that it's probable that he will retire, and that he most likely will, but that he's not excluding the chance that he might consider coming back. Olajuwon just loves to play the game of basketball. He loves Houston, and I think he really does want to help our team. He's even saying "Rudy can use me in any way he sees fit" as long as he stays competitive and able to contribute. The thing that people don't realize is that you're forgetting the condition under which he would consider coming back. He wants to help the Rockets. If he can't, he'll retire. It's as simple as that. I simply don't understand how people could be complaining about this. Hakeem is willing to come back and help us, basing this will on how he will perform in the upcoming season. People are afraid that if he does come back, he'll be nothing but a distraction and a roadblock to our development as an up and coming young squad. The thing is, that under his terms he is only willing to come back as long as he is not just that. ------------------ Nederland 2002 ClutchTown.com
"What if he went to LA to be Shaqs backup? Even worse, what if he went to LA to be thier PF? " SpaceCity, my heart skipped several beats after I read this possibility. I can't think of a much worse way for Hakeem to end his career other than maybe playing for the Utah Jazz. But to have to watch Hakeem play second fiddle to Shaq on that damn team would be the greatest travesty that any Houston fan would ever have to endure. I will have to trust Hakeem that he would never do this to Houston fans. I realize that it is his career and his life, but man, what a blow to the collective Houston nuts that would be. ------------------ "Nothing is certain but the unforseen." Some Dude
"Collective" and "Nuts" should never be pronounced on the same sentence unless you want to utterly embarass yourself. ------------------ "I have posted so much that what I say must be true"
Rocketman95, A Rocket fan saying he wishes Hakeem would "keep his mouth shut" is deplorable. This is not Rodman or Rider you're talking about here. There are other ways to get your point across without disrespecting someone. ---------------------------- DaDakota, Amen, brother. But, I do not expect Hakeem to play next year. I think this season will take its toll on him. Hopefully, he will remain healthy and play well, but by season's end I think he'll be ready to end it. ---------------------------- kidrock8, heypartner, My thoughts exactly. Plus, he sorta said it in the article. ---------------------------- JayZ750, Yes, you are confused. He had a sprained ankle. What's the big deal? ------------------ I have a dream.........his name's Hakeem. DREAMer's Rocket Page
Regardless of what he ultimately decides, this bodes very well for the upcoming season. Sounds like a new man and possibly closer to the 98-99 Hakeem than the 99-00. I can't wait until he gets into game shape so we can see what he's capable of! Another good season out of Hakeem would be great for Cato. We could have the two-headed monster all over again, a la Kenny-Sam. ------------------ "Not just a layup, but a mundane layup." -- Calvin Murphy, not realizing that a mundane layup IS just a layup.
I am confused. The breathing problem might be gone, but Hakeem still isnt healthy. He couldnt evenmake it throuhg an entire preseason???? How can he expect to play much more when he only plays in 50% of his games???? ------------------ Remember.... You are not really drunk until you must hold on to the grass to keep from falling off the earth.
kidrock... correction, about the renouncing thing. We can still sign him. All we do is renounce our Bird rights to him. After renouncing a player, we have to wait 1 year to use Bird exceptions on him. In otherwords, renouncing takes away our competitive advantage in re-signing with him to Bird exceptions. But that is the only difference. btw: I do agree Hakeem is just deflecting attention. The man does not waffle like this. <font size="1">H<font color="dedfdf> [This message has been edited by heypartner (edited October 27, 2000).]
i read the articles, and get the feeling that Hakeem would like to move to another team. I don't think the Rockets want him to leave, but his attitude seems to be leaning toward another team. Could this be Vancouver? Some of his former teammates are there, so who knows...
Like Kidrock8 I thought Hakeem brought this up now so he wouldnt have to go through so much attention in his farewell season,hes very shy as we all know. But I also thought Hakeem was the type of player that would play until he couldnt walk,ala Robert Parish.I just thought there would be a time when you could see Dream on the end of the bench with his warmups on giving the young guys fives and smiling and laughing.Though I would love to see this happen but only if it doesnt hurt the team in any way. ------------------
As stated earlier, I think Hakeem would like the experience of playing in Vancouver. That way he truly can say he has done it all. Although I find it hard to imagine him in another uni., if Hakeem wants to fulfill his desire to play in that city then we as fans must respect his decision for all he has done for our team. If this does happen, it will likely put the Rockets in a better position as the Rockets will have several teams offering something to bid. I imagine with the salary cap room this will increase our rebuilding efforts. ------------------ Sometimes you gotta do the next best thing!
I really doubt that there could be a meeting-of-the-minds in Vancouver. I don't think they'd give up what we'd want (S-A-R or Swift). It would make no sense to trade for Dickerson or Bibby. And I wish the Vancouver fans would quit with the Big Country stuff. He's worthless, literally: if the Grizz traded him for free (ie capspace) they would be getting a great deal. [This message has been edited by SamCassell (edited October 28, 2000).]
I think it would be great if we got Hakeem back again after this year. ------------------ SJSLAX82 Visit my site Blast Off
