I am just wondering why every time a player who is an up and coming free agent, they: A) Suddenly get healthy. B) Gets their total game together. C) Start talking about "other possibilities" and "other avenues" and playing for other teams because they don't fit the system or can't find soul food or some other lame excuse. I find it weird that Dream becomes a monster again just when he knows that the Rocks aren't planning to pay him what he think he is worth. This is basically all an audition cuz I sure as hell didn't see this last year. Or at the beginning of the year. Sure, we are all happy because he is playing like he should have. I am damn happy because my team is winning and people are noticing. I am FREAKIN happy that we might make the playoffs...the first step to the teams return to glory. But, I just wonder where all the "fitting in" problems went. Did all the complaining suddenly wake the team up so that they notice that they are ignoring Dream? I just can't help but to think that sometime this year, Dream and his old buddy Ewing got together to talk and remember the old days and how they both think they are not getting their just rewards for all the sacrifice, blood, sweat and tears they gave for their teams. Ewing thought he was worth 2 years 20 million. He auditioned last year, played great in the playoffs and got traded before the year started and got his contract. I wonder if Dream is auditioning or does he really want to make the playoffs. The word is out here in the NYC media about the Rockets. They have been described as "dangerous", "unguardable at times" and my favorite one that all the media uses to describe up and coming teams "they are a pain in the ass". Is this truly what its all about for Dream? Or is it an audition? I can't help but to be cynical. Before that tirade the last couple of weeks, I would never doubt Dream or his performance or his drive to make the playoffs. He could of sold me ice during last weeks snow storm. Now, I think we are watching Dream auditioning for a contract. Not for the Rockets. But for some team in the East. Or maybe even the Lakers. I just puked. ------------------ Sleepless in the Bronx
I was upset at Dream's coments as well. But I agreed with him. I was getting sick and tired of watching him play 20 productive minutes/game but watching Bullard or KT play the entire 4th quarter. It seems that once he cleared the air with Rudy it gave him new motivation to play hard. If Hakeem continues at this rate he will be a huge FA, if only for a 1-2 year contract. But I have a feeling that it has nothing to do with money and everything to do with pride. I think we've all been in a situation where our pride inhibited our success. For that, I will never blame anyone. As much fun as it has been watching the young Rockets grow up, watching Hakeem come around has been awesome. Now I won't even switch channels back and forth to appease my girlfriend. I just tell her to go downstairs, because the Rocket's are on. ------------------ "Stranger things have happened, but none stranger than this" - Commentator after a parachutist landed in the ring of a Holyfield fight
Thanks Freak. What I would like from the team though is to give more playing time like they did yesterday. If this is indeed his last year, then we don't lose anything and lets make the playoffs. He can go after this year. ------------------ Sleepless in the Bronx
You puked and took the time to tell us about it before sending that off? It doesn't bother me that Dream is auditioning. I hope he hooks up with a good team and kicks some butt for another season or two. And if the Rockets can get close to as sweet a deal as the Knicks got for Ewing, I'd be very happy. ------------------ RealGM Rockets Draft Obligations Summary Gafford Art Artisan
I agree that playoff experience would help our young guys, and that it would be the start of the return to glory for the Rockets. However, am I the only one that thinks one more mid to high 1st round draft pick would help more??? just one more. ------------------ The next time I have meat and mashed potatoes, I think I'll put a very large blob of potatoes on my plate with just a little piece of meat. And if someone asks me why i didn't get more meat, ill just say, "Oh, you mean this?" and pull out a big piece of meat from inside the blob of potatoes, where ive hidden it. Good magic trick, huh?
I'm with you Nomar. While I want the team to be in the playoffs this year, it would be better for the long run if we didn't make it. Right now, Dream seems to be the final piece that we needed to make the run, but if he's going to leave next year, that puts us right back where we were (or even further back) before he decided to be a part of the team. If he decides to stay for a couple of years at the veterans minimum, then we could draft or trade for someone to groom as his replacement. I hope you're wrong Almu, but it sure does seem coincidental that he could just turn it on like a light switch after all the complaining & trade speculation that went on. If he had contributed like this at the beginning of the year (even with his limited minutes), we'd be in the thick of the playoff race. One more year of .500 ball won't kill us, when you consider that if we continue with the rebuilding program, the Rockets could be a playoff & possibly championship contender for several years to come. ------------------
If Dream stays healthy, the team continues to win, I would think that he would stay with the Rocks, as long as it is fun for him. DaDakota ------------------ If Mankind evolved from monkeys and apes, then why are there still monkeys and apes?
maybe, maybe no ------------------ "Excuse me while I whip this out!" Cleavon Little in Blazing Saddles
Almu, It's as convincing to me that Rudy persuaded Dream that the playoffs were in the Rockets' reach. When Dream shows otherwise, that he is in fact merely auditioning for a different team, I'll pat you on the back. Until then behold the key to the Rockets getting into the playoffs. ------------------ Good night everyone, Canadian or American. Just remember that we're all bound together by basketball, the internet and the mullet. (My attempts at trying to sooth over an international incident).
Actually the Rockets were as close to the playoffs a few weeks ago as they are now. Think about it, Dream demands to be traded or waived, the Rockets say they won't trade him, there is no trade options, and they won't release him. Dream thinks "man, it's a contract year, I need to kick it into gear", and then SUDDENLY plays kickass basketball? When the season started Dream didn't play like this, and the Rocks were holding on to the 8th spot for a little bit! No Dream is auditioning himself for a possible last second trade before the deadline, or for next year. ------------------ Dream a deadly Dream. . .
Perhaps so RocksMill... but what was the 'misunderstanding' between Rudy and Dream? Could Dream have thought that the playoffs weren't a goal for this team this year? Could Dream have thought that the young guys were going to just play to learn and that he was expected to stay out of the way? Probably. I doubt Dream felt Rudy thought he was fugly. ------------------ Good night everyone, Canadian or American. Just remember that we're all bound together by basketball, the internet and the mullet. (My attempts at trying to sooth over an international incident).
Well guys I'll give Dream the benefit of doubt here....perhaps he felt ignored out there. Going to media/trade talk (of which which I disagree) was probably the only way he felt he could get RudyT's attention? I'll be first to admit that he's had some horrible games over the last few years. Look at him now. Amazing. If I were running the Rockets, I would continue the youth movement. No disrespect to Dream. He would always have a roster spot as long as he wanted to play. That being said, I would not offer him anything other than 1 year contracts until he decides to move on or retire. Hopefully that would put enough fire in him to play for the next contract. ------------------ 5..4..3..2..1.....We have lift off! Go Rockets!
