Hakeem Out, Jackson In? ***this is from ESPN Insider*** (for whatever its worth) by Chad Ford Wednesday, August 1 Updated 8:30 AM EST What a summer it has been for the Toronto Raptors. Vince Carter is poised to sign a six-year, $88-million extension, free agents Antonio Davis, Alvin Williams and Jerome Williams are all locked up with long term deals. Now, Glen Grunwald's dream appears close to fruition. Hakeem Olajuwon is on the verge of heading north of the border. Multiple sources told ESPN Insider late Tuesday night that Olajuwon is leaning heavily toward accepting a three-year guaranteed deal from the Raptors. According to sources, Olajuwon feels the Rockets are making him offers out of loyalty and a desire to have him retire in a Rockets uniform. The Raptors on the other hand, consider him a vital piece in the quest for a championship. That is what has gotten Olajuwon excited. However, all sources stressed that he hasn't ruled out a return to Houston. But as of Tuesday night, he was dreaming of being a Raptor. "The three primary factors that Hakeem has set forth to the teams he is considering are," agent Dan Feagan told KRIV-TV in Houston, "in order, as follows: That he is wanted for what he can do now, not for what he has done in the past." Olajuwon also wants to play for a team he feels has the best chance to get into the finals, Fegan said. "Lastly, of course is compensation," he said. "However, all the teams courting Hakeem have made significant offers in terms of dollars and years. As a result, his decision is not going to be based on money." With Olajuwon leaning heavily toward leaving, the Rockets contacted free-agent center Marc Jackson Tuesday. Jackson, who was spurned by the Sonics Tuesday when they signed Calvin Booth, is excited about the possibility. "Oh man, that would be great," Jackson said. "With Cat (Mobley), Steve (Francis) Kenny (Thomas), they have some great young talent. That would be a great place to be." The Rockets will have competition from the Pacers. Indiana officials met with Jackson Tuesday, the Indianapolis Star reported. However, the Rockets have a trump card. If they lose Olajuwon they'll be well under the cap and can offer Jackson, who is a restricted free agent, more than the mid-level $4.5-million exception that the Warriors and Pacers are restricted to. The biggest question mark still out there is why all of the fuss over an center who is well past his prime? Can Olajuwon truly help the Raptors rule the East or be the guy who puts the Rockets over the top in the West? Or will he be the bad Dream of the last few years, mired by injuries and frustrated with a body that used to be able to do Dream-like things? That is the three-year, guaranteed $15-million gamble. I will miss Dream and his shake but if it isn't in his heart to be here (which is obvious), then I wish him well. Let's welcome M Jax with open arms because there seems to be a good possibilty that he will be a Rocket next year. ------------------ I'm off like a prom dress!!! [This message has been edited by NJRocket (edited August 01, 2001).]
NJJersey, thanks for the scoop. Yesterday's board was full of "speculation" on what was going on but this info seems to be on the mark. FREDTERP ------------------
If he takes a 1-2 year deal, then I'll be happy to give him shot. If he's excited about playing with this team, then hopefully he won't be asking for any crazy 4-5 year deal from us. ------------------ This post contains no smilies, you must judge my seriousness on your own...
He expects more than 4.5 mil! Who the hell does he think he is? I liked Marc Jackson better the first time when he was called Matt Geiger. ------------------ "banging Shaq is a whole different expirience"-Pete Babcock Behold the power of quotation
I must confess that I've never seen Jackson play. Can he run with the likes of Franchise and Cat? Is he more geared towards a half-court offense? Is he a face-the-basket type of player or does he back the ball in (a la Barkley)? Can he shoot the rock or does he put back missed shots and tip-ins? I'm sure I could find the answers somewhere on this board, but I'm too lazy to look. I'm almost too lazy to press the "Submit Reply" button... ------------------ I am the Kwisatz Haderach.
So they lowballed Hakeem to get Jackson. That seems to be the plan. ------------------ Tennessee is a suburb of Houston. Go Oilers....
Isn't that a really old Marc Jackson quote? I dont doubt that the Rockets will be looking at Jackson from here on out, but if that quote is as old as I think it is then ESPN Insider is back to their old cut and paste crap ------------------
So who's going to take the pay hit, since we are supposidly going to outbid Indiana and give him 4.5+ million? Somebody is going to have to take a pay cut...Mo, Bull, Shandon, Mooch? ------------------ In the end there will be no judges...only witnesses to my greatness.
Yep, it is a very old quote. Nice job Insider. Maybe next they'll use some of the quotes from my thread on Hakeem. ------------------ "Larry Johnson, who spent the last 48 hours railing against the world, what a pathetic performance by this sad human being." -The one and only Bill Walton
I was looking for the thead that had this in it, because I know it's the identical on that ESPN used a while back. On another note...where is the search button? Going through all the threads takes forever. ------------------ In the end there will be no judges...only witnesses to my greatness.
I am not high on Jackson. It would be a mistake to sign him to a longterm deal. He has not proven himself. ------------------ Fuggetabout it
Think a younger Kevin Willis. Fair shot, not fast but not slow, no defense, short arms, limited potential, not as over powering as Willis was, not exciting, and not tall enough for serious center playing. Not sure what he can do in a running game offense. Its not hard to get 7.5rpg on the Warriors. ------------------ "banging Shaq is a whole different expirience"-Pete Babcock Behold the power of quotation
I think you read that wrong Ziggy. The Warriors can only offer Marc Jackson 4.5 million dollars, if anyone went over that they couldn't match it and he could go to that team. And it was stated that if a team offered him 3 to 4 million dollars the Warriors wouldn't match it. Marc Jackson never asked for more then 4.5 million dollars. ------------------ What if I say to you that the universe is a three-legged horse, eh? What then? - Russell Hoban [This message has been edited by RocksMillenium (edited August 01, 2001).]
Warriors fan here. Actually Jackson has. He was looking in the $5-$5.5 mil range for 5-6 years. A bit unrealistic. I think he'll "settle" for $4.5 or slightly over, but he apparently wants a long-term deal. ------------------
That quote originally came from an interview the Chronicle did with him when Golden State was in Houston last season. ------------------ Who's your buddy? Who's your pal? I am, aren't I?
I hope we don't sign Jackson. Nothing against him, but I think he played over his head a bit last season (a la Adrian Griffin) and is not worth nearly the gamble of a long-term deal. We already have 1 center not earning the money he makes. ------------------ RealGM Gafford Art Artisan Cakes
I live in the Bay Area, so I got a chance to watch Marc Jackson play a lot. His defense isn't horrible, it's decent, kinda like Mo Taylor's D. He's a lot better rebounder than Mo, which isn't saying much, but 7.5 rebounds in 29.4 minutes is pretty good. He has a nice jumpshot out to maybe 17-18 feet. He plays the game very hard and with a lot of emotion. I've been to many Warrior games, and he gets pretty loud when he's out there hustling. I think he's worth 4.5 mil, especially with McCollough getting all the money he's getting. Marc's proved himself pretty well in the West, and I would love to have him as our starting center. Him and Griffin could make up for Mo's rebounding deficiences. ------------------ Check out my site: The Steve Francis Fan Site
