I heard the Matt Bullard interview on Hakeem this morning (ESPN radio)...his comments on Hakeem, CD, the Raptors, etc...Don't know if it was broadcast everywhere, so please let me know if you'd like details..If you have heard it, or this has already been covered by another thread, I'll not bother..
Sure thing...It was an interesting interview...OK, I'll summarize Bullard's points... 1) He said that, all off-season, CD has told all the other free agents that re-signing Hakeem was "THE priority, the only priority..." He said that, due both to the way the CBA works, and what the Rockets wanted to do, returning Hakeem to the fold was the one thing the Rockets wanted to do this off season... 2) He said that CD is absolutely exhausted...Bullard had just gotten off the phone with his agent, who had just spoken to CD...and he reported that CD was completely spent, and had " nothing left"...He had been working on re-signing Hakeem " 24 hours a day every day." and was really down...He said that CD had told his agent that he wasn't going to do anything for a day or two but sleep. 3) Bullard said that he believed the future moves the Rockets would make would be, in order, re-sign Mo Taylor, then Moochie and Shandon, and himself last...He says that as he has Larry Bird rights, the team has already let him know that he'll be dealt with after the others...He said that his first priority was Houston, by far, but that he was receiving interst from other teams, including having just gotten an "interesting" 2 year offer from someone.He wanys to speak to CD, and hopefully reach an agreement,if not a contract yet, on how much the Rockets plan to allocate for him when all else is done, and if they're in the ballpark with the other offers, he'll stay here. 4) When asked if the Hakeem thing dragging out had negatively affected him, Bullard said that it hasn't...yet. But it could, it would depend on what happens now. 5) When asked what Hakeem was like, he said mixed things...He said that he was very, very intelligent, well read, and could and did converse knowledgebly on a wide variety of topics. He was also very classy and dignified, and had great passion for the game. However, he also hinted that Hakeem is very stubborn, stating that it was impossible to win an argument with him. Once Hakeem forms an opinion, nothing can divert him. He also said that Hakeem looks at the world in a very unique way. Didn't elaborate too much on that, just commenting that his religious and moral prioroites differed from most NBA players... 6) As a leader, he said that Hakeem was very willing to help, but only when asked. He never volunteered help, but if you approched him and asked for help, he enjoyed and was good at teaching/advising. He also was the same with the media. He rarely offered opinions, but would sit and answer questions on anything for hours... 7) Bullard said that Hakeem's interest in Toronto goes back years. He said that Dream has always thought Toronto was one of the best places he'd ever been, and considers it very cosmopolitan, something he considers himself. Bullard said Hakeem was very much looking forward to the change from Houston...NOT that it is better, just that Hakeem enjoys variety and change. Bullard said Hakeem has homes in many parts of the world, and considers himself pretty international, so the Toronto thing seems like a nice fit. 8) Contrary to what we've all believed, Bullard said that this has NOT been Steve's team for the last couple of years, but one advantage of Hakeem leaving is that it can now become so. He said that it was a huge advantage for Steve to come to a team where there already was an established star, nad that he probably wouldn't have been ready to assume the role of team leader a couple of years ago, but now is... 9) When asked about how the new rules will affect the team, and that whether a " small team" like the Rockets now are will benefit from them, or the reverse, Bullard seemed to answer in a fairly self-serving way... He said that, yes, the Rockets are clearly a small team now, but that the new rules will help "only if we have guys, especially bigger guys, who can shoot." Hmmmm...who do you suppose he's talking about? He said that the Rockets have a bunch of guys who can drive, but they need big guys who can screen for them, pop out, and make the shot if the lane closes on the driver... That's pretty much all I can remember right now..He did emphasize how much he wants to return, said Houston has been his home for 11 years, that he has broadcasting interests he wants to pursue in Houston when he's done playing. If I remember more, I'll add it on later...Feel free to ask any questions..
Great recap JAG! Thanks from those of us looking for insight from the Houston area but can't get it because we're elsewhere. Bullard's response were interesting.
Sorry...just remebered more... 10) When asked if Hakeem was still anb everydown player any more, he said that he wasn't. But, if he's rested, he can dominate almost as much as he used to at times. Bullard felt that Hakeem would be better used in Toronto, and that they should use him similarly to how Kareem was used in the last 4-5 years of his career: For important regular season games and some others, let him go all out, but mostly keep him ready to dominate in the playoffs, which Bullard feels Hakeem can/will do. He also said that Hakeem is sort of taking this whole thing as a personal challenge, and will probably be in better shape and play better this year than he has recently. 11) he said that he was surprised how good Hakeem still was down the stretch last year, and while he couldn't do it every game like before, that there were stretches when Bullard saw no difference in the way he played as opposed to in his prime. He said that, all things considered, he is still one of the better center's, and can be close to the best on any given night. He thinks that was why Hakeem changed his mind about retiring, the fact that he can still really play.
