hey, I was ready as anyone to let Olajuwon go, but now that we got a good front court player in the draft, perhaps we _should_ keep him. Who would we get that is worth more to us? Besides, it would let him retire a Rocket. What does everyone think? And no, I am not expecting Cato to suddenly become a great center. Jason
I think most of us WANT to keep Hakeem.... BUT at what price. I wouldn't automatically open the checkbook. At this juncture, he is our best option. If Les wants to over-pay him because he is our best (maybe only) option, okay by me. It's his money.... My only complaint about over-paying him is if it prevents us from making another move that would be beneficial for the team in a longer run (such as Webber). ------------------ "How far you go in life depends on you being tender with the young, compassionate with the aged, sympathetic with the striving and tolerant of the weak. Because someday you will have been all of these."
I would like to have Olajuwon back if he signs for around 5 million for next year. If we fail to get a young center like Marc Jackson or Nazr Mohammed in free agency,and if Olajuwon demands too much money or decides not to resign with us,should we sign Kevin Willis for around 2 million for the coming season? ------------------
Wrong forum It's rare to see a Game Action thread in the wrong spot just playin' with you jhbarker I wonder if it would be a good idea to sign Dream to a LARGE 1 season contract (yeah, I know he wants two seasons), so we end up with a ton of money next offseason, when there are tons of good free agents? ------------------ CC.net's most courteous driver Oh yeah, and I'm looking for a job right now, so hire me please
Look at Doc's last topic on Mo. His last statement reads, "There is another". Probably applying to a center via free agency or possible trade involving Cato. If Doc is right, Rudy & Co might already be looking at the future with the 5 spot, now!! Even the chronicle mentioned that the griffin trade was a wake up call for Hakeem's demands. Hakeem is worth 5 mil, possible 6 mil, but no more. My problem with Hakeem is principal, first he was complaining about touches, then he wanted to be traded, then he hired an ASS****OLE agent, then he publically stated, NO HOMETOWN DISOUNT, then he demanded 10 million, then he PREACHED to us that our team did not need to change, that the same team we had last year could win a championship next year. (of course keeping everybody, meant more blood money for Hakeem),. So bottom line is, that everybody deserves a second chance at redemption. If Hakeem decides that the Rockets future is more important that his pocket, then we should pay him a little more than the veteran min. of 4.5 million (?). Second, he has to understand that we need a defensive minded center, not offensive, that will pull down rebounds and block shoots (with griffin), if we are to drive far into the playoffs. He shot a great percentage with his spot up jumper (last season),and occasionaly his fade away went in, but PLEASE HAKEEM do not take the ball to the middle. I don not think I can handle watching you take 4 or 5 steps in the middle, only to cough up the ball in traffic to younger, faster defensive players. So that is my thought on Hakeem, lets pay him 5-6 million and be done with it, but no long term deal. ONE YEAR WITH TEAM OPTION ON THE 2nd. Now there has also be talk on the ESPN INSIDER that Antonio Davis might be giving Houston a call, if Orlando does not work out. His heart is in Orlando, but the Magic are no wear close to clearing the cap room to sign him. They mentioned Houston as an alternative to resigning in Toronto. Could Antonio be our 5? I still want Marc Jackson, but anybody is an improvement to Cato! ------------------
Hey! You got me thinking... let's investigate the name "Doc Rocket". You've got "Rocket". A rocket is an artificial firework consisting of a cylindrical case of paper or metal filled with a composition of combustible ingredients, as niter, charcoal, and sulphur, and fastened to a guiding stick. Who looks like a stick? Shawn Bradley!!!! Bradley's a free agent!!! OH MOTHER! We're signing Shawn Bradley to become the defensive force we've all known him to be. Plus he's an intimidator!!!! Now let's look at the other part of Doc Rocket's name. Doc Hmmmmmm Doc Rivers? OH NO, WE'RE FIRING RUDY AND REPLACING HIM WITH DOC RIVERS!!!! SAY IT AIN'T SO DOC ROCKET!!!!! ------------------ This post contains no smilies, you must judge my seriousness on your own...
Alot of times the question of loyalty enters the posts over keeping Dream, but is it loyalty from the Rockets organization or from Olajuwon himself? Over the years, Houston fans and the Rockets brass has shown how much they love and appreciate the Dream. Who could ever forget Dream coming off the court in the final minutes of the game against Minnesota? That is loyalty at its best, knowing that it may be his last game in a Rocket's uniform, the fans in Houston came to their feet and showed the big man how great the Dream's years in Houston have been. What about loyalty from the Rocket front office? Three years ago, the Rockets were faced with the possibilty for trading Hakeem to Toronto for Doug Christie, and the fifth and twelve overall picks in the draft. Looking back, the trade most likely would have been a steal for the Rockets, but they showed loyalty to their big man refusing to trade him, and hoping that he would finish his great basketball career in the very place in started so many years ago. A few years Charles Barkely played in Houston for the league minimum, passing other much higher offers to stay in Houston. Will Hakeem do that? Now the ball is in his court.The Rockets shouldn't break the bank to keep the Dream a Rocket, if he wants to stay he should step up to the plate and show loyalty to the city and organization that has stood by him throughout the years. ------------------
And Toronto would have been in the Final this year and possibly beat the Lakers, who knows. The plan should be to keep Dream if the team can efficiently swing it. They are now in a position to do just that. ------------------
It's sad, but I think we're getting to the point where the Rockets and the city of Houston have shown more loyalty to Hakeem than he has shown us. Hakeem needs to take one for the team and stick around to helpm the rebuilding process without hindering it. Hakeem's hiring of Dan Fegan, the most hated agent in all of sports, is curious. Many teams will refuse to deal with him JUST because of Fegan. Fegan is the one who came up with the $10 million figure and it is ludicrous to think Hakeem expects to make that. The Rockets can afford to pay him 5, but that's it. It counts against our cap, too, as the veteran exception is only around $1 million if we renounce Hakeem to take advantage of his cap space (which we will). It truly is up to Hakeem. He can be loyal to us or he can seek greener pastures. We have been as loyal as any team and fan base can be. Either way, I think we have something else in the works that will make the decision to let Dream go much easier! ------------------ <A HREF="http://www.TheRocketGuy.com " TARGET=_blank>http://www.TheRocketGuy.com </A> "You try to improve and do better. It's a journey, not just the destination." - Hakeem Olajuwon
Hello SIr: Nice first post. In fact, I addressed this topic in a woefully under-viewed post called "The Chucky Brown Fan Club Has Important Salary and Uniform Questions" : http://bbs.clutchcity.net/ubb/Forum3/HTML/013499.html I would be curious as to your takes on my questions as well. I am also waiting for somone to show me the numbers and how much we can offer Mo, Dream, Mooch and Shandon to keep them. Let me say, first, I agree because there is no one better at this point, Hakeem was a miracle last year, and he should retire a Rocket. First and foremost, he should retire. But he should also retire as a Rocket. Is everyone prepared for my summer "Let's sign Chucky" post? Welcome, jhbarker, you remind me of a fella I vacationed with at Bishops Lodge in second grade. CBFC ------------------ Join the Chucky Brown Fan Club
