I've been saying all season long that he is done. I've called him a whiny b****. But his last three games have been tremendous. So good, that when I'm watching the game, I'm getting pissed off because the the Rockets aren't getting him the ball down in the low block ENOUGH. His last three games have been so good that I am thinking that the Rockets might even make the playoffs -- maybe. I don't know if Hakeem is playing for pride or for another contract. And unless Hakeem is willing to take a major paycut, I would be very hesitant about resigning him. But in the back of my mind you have to ask yourself what are the Rockets options at center for next season? Cato? Rogers? Collier? If Hakeem is healthy, he is so much better than any of those options.
I'm not apologizing to Dream because he is just doing what we asked him to doing, and that is stop whining and causing a distraction, play hard, and just play out his contract. Dream has been great, but as far as everything else, he is doing what he should be doing. ------------------ Dream a deadly Dream. . . [This message has been edited by RocksMillenium (edited February 09, 2001).]
After what I've read here about his performance in the last 3 games I'd gladly apologize. ------------------
For those of you who still complain about Hakeem whining, why the hell do you think he is getting to play quality minutes? If he hadn't done what he did, he would still be watching KT and Bullard fumbling around, trying to play center, in the 4th quarter. He had to go public because Rudy had some misconception that he couldn't play when it counted. Hakeem had done quite satisfactorily in the minutes he was getting up until the big blow-up. He couldn't get any 4th quarter minutes. Why? Oh yeah, Rudy, the players coach, had a misunderstanding. Hakeem has been the biggest difference in the last three games. If he doesn't threaten to go somewhere else, my bet is he is still sitting on his arse in the fourth quarter and the Rockets don't take a 3 game winning streak into the all-star break. ------------------
I don't want to harp on Dream because he is playing well and isn't complaining, but Dream's complaining didn't get him the minutes he is playing. He is playing the SAME amount of time he did before! He played 25 minutes in the 76ers game! He is just playing harder and realizes he isn't going to get traded or waived. I don't know why people are trying to dump this on Rudy. But Dream is just playing harder. That is why he has stepped up his play. Probably to showcase to people he can still play decent minutes. ------------------ Dream a deadly Dream. . . [This message has been edited by RocksMillenium (edited February 09, 2001).]
Precisely. The system hasn't changed since the Clipper game, and neither have Dream's minutes. It's all about the desire. ------------------
Exactly RocksMillenium. I think that Hakeem realizes that he's not going anywhere and that the Rockets are a borderline team that just might make some noise if they get into the playoffs. What better way to go into free agency than by taking a team that was picked to win 35 games into the playoffs? [This message has been edited by Tom Archer (edited February 09, 2001).]
Kinda like someone said If you play well 1-3. . . you get to be in in the 4th Dream has just COME TO PLAY F8ck ego F*ck politics Rocket River ------------------
Precisely. The system hasn't changed since the Clipper game, and neither have Dream's minutes. It's all about the desire. ------------------
You guys have got to be kidding. Are you watching the games? He is playing in the fourth quarter now when games are won or lost. The minutes may be the same, but he is playing when he can make a difference. The reason he didn't play in Philly in the 4th is because the Rocks took a big lead into the 4th. If Philly had made a serious run in the 4th, Rudy would have put him back in. What, you think Bullard or KT are a better option? They had a back to back following the Philly game. What would have been the point to put Hakeem in if he didn't have to? Are you going to tell me he didn't play in the 4th against New York and Detroit? Please. ------------------
I have said it before, and I will say it again. Rudy does not deal with stressful player situations well at all. However, both Rudy and Hakeem were to blame. Rudy for not giving Dream the chance, and Dream for not playing with passion and earning the chance. Let's just hope it is not too late to make a run...we are 5 games out in the loss column, that is a lot to make up. DaDakota ------------------ If Mankind evolved from monkeys and apes, then why are there still monkeys and apes?
Maybe he would have played in the 4th quarter of the other games if he had showed the fire. It is one thing to have a decent game, it is totally another to have the fire. You can't tell me that the Dream you are seeing now is the same Dream that you saw earlier in the season. This Dream is playing with fire and desire, and it isn't just because he is playing in the 4th quarter. ------------------ Dream a deadly Dream. . .
Rocks Mellinium your 100% on the money the rockets are finally looking to Hakeem to help closeout the game in the 4th quarter. Rudy has finally involved him in all 4 quarters and Hakeem did have to b**** to get that meeting with Rudy. Hakeem knows that to win in the league you need a double dose of low post play and perimeter penetration especially come playoff time. LA, Portland, San Antonio and Sacramento all do it. It must have been hell for Hakeem to sit on the bench in 4th quarters and watch Mobley heaving most games away. The new found chemistry between Francis and Dream makes the Rockets one of the scariest teams in the league. ------------------
Yeah, RocksM, KT, Bull and Walt showed so much fire, especially on defense, that Rudy had no choice but to play them in the 4th quarter. ------------------
It's fantastic to see Dream doing so well these past three games, but they were all Eastern Conference teams without real centers. I'm waiting to see how he holds up against Western Conference teams with more powerful front court players. ------------------
Camby and Ratliff are solid front court players. "Real center" or not, Ratliff is the league's leading shot blocker, and Camby averages a double double and 2.3 blocks per game as well. The true center mold has been broken, and you have guys playing there now that are interchangeable between PF and C. Dream proved early on, when the dominant center roamed the paint (Ewing, Robinson, Shaq, Kareem, etc) that he could dominate anyone, anytime. Besides Shaq, who are these powerful front court players you speak of in the West? Robinson and Divac? I think Camby and Ratliff are a tougher duo to face. ------------------ There is a very fine line between "hobby" and "mental illness."
At the end of the game Hakeem was just begging them to bring it inside. And you know what. With the exception of some high arching layup's and some put backs, Hakeem ruled the paint. That my friends is the Hakeem of old. You can talk about the dreamshake all you want but what I remember most about Hakeem in his prime is his ability to completely dominate the inside. I'm talkin' about when a guard goes up he is only looking to pass because he knows he will be eating ball soon. THAT is what is what I saw last night. THAT is pure pride, and mayb e now that Hakeem has tasted this success, it will bring back that fire that the Robinson's and Shaq's of the league could only dream about. ------------------ "Stranger things have happened, but none stranger than this" - Commentator after a parachutist landed in the ring of a Holyfield fight
At the end of the game Hakeem was just begging them to bring it inside. And you know what. With the exception of some high arching layup's and some put backs, Hakeem ruled the paint. That my friends is the Hakeem of old. You can talk about the dreamshake all you want but what I remember most about Hakeem in his prime is his ability to completely dominate the inside. I'm talkin' about when a guard goes up he is only looking to pass because he knows he will be eating ball soon. THAT is what is what I saw last night. THAT is pure pride, and mayb e now that Hakeem has tasted this success, it will bring back that fire that the Robinson's and Shaq's of the league could only dream about. ------------------ "Stranger things have happened, but none stranger than this" - Commentator after a parachutist landed in the ring of a Holyfield fight
