Negativity: There seems to be a lot of negativity running amok on the board lately... Well, it's understandable. We are currently 24 - 39. This means that we cannot make the playoffs, and our odds of getting a top 3 pick in the draft are not good. Losing: Some posters want us to lose more to position ourselves better in the draft. Some want the team to make the playoffs. Some want to watch the team grow and let the chips fall where they may. Losing is not good. Don't let San Antonio fool you. Look to the Clippers, Mavericks, & Golden State. I don't believe in Karma, but there's just something inherently wrong with wanting your own team to lose. Hakeem: Everyone knows my username. Just about everyone knows how I view the Dream, especially after a recent thread where I gave multiple reasons why I admire Olajuwon. I do realize Hakeem Olajuwon is not the same player he was in 1994. Hell he's not the same as 1984 - 1998. This is by far the worst season of his career. It's been hard for me to watch. It's been even harder to visit my favorite Rocket web page nearly every day, and see thread after thread dedicated to defiling a legend. I ask those of you who want a higher draft pick: Why blame Hakeem when we lose, if it's just what you want anyway? Those of you who want to win, I ask: Do you place the entire blame on a 37 year old man who has suffered an abdominal injury and now a breathing condition? Or do you realize that Charles Barkley was lost for the season, or that Kelvin Cato doesn't want to start, or that Walt Williams started at SF 49 times this season, or that we don't have a true PF on the roster, or what? For those who say we are paying Hakeem way too much, I ask: Did I hear you complaining that we weren't paying him enough between 1984 and 1996 or so? No, the organization agreed to his current contract. They knew how old Hakeem was. They are paying him for what he's done for the organization. Let's not begrudge him that. Francis: I really like the kid. A year or so ago I came to the realization that I wouldn't like basketball as much after Hakeem retired. I felt like I wouldn't have a reason to watch it anymore. The Rocket's determination to put exciting and competitive players on the court has reinvigorated my love of the game. I will be sad when Hakeem leaves, and I probably won't like it as much. But, I'll still be posting here and cheering on my team, and Francis is part of that. I've held my tongue for a long time. And I will continue to do so. There is probably a ratio of 20 to 1 posters who are anti-Hakeem. They constantly bring up everything negative they can about Olajuwon. This has tempted me on several occasions to post negative things about Steve Francis. Sure he's our new star. Sure he's young, but I felt, "If they're gonna tear down my favorite player, then I'm gonna tear down their's." I have occasionally pointed out Francis' weak point, but I've refrained from the continued attacks. I just couldn't bring myself to do it. I couldn't justify belittling a player on my favorite team. Especially a player who I want to remain on this team. This is why I can't understand the constant attacks on Hakeem. Can't ya'll just let him ride off into the sunset? I don't mind constructive criticism, but flat out personal attacks and irreverent jokes are just crossing the line. I don't know what my point was. I just thought I'd share this with my fellow Rocket fans. ------------------ I have a dream.........his name's Hakeem.
Nice one Dreamer. I'm with you. Injuries + turnovers + no chemistry - Chuckwagon = bad team. Basketball is a team sport. ------------------ We would like to get rookie Francis on the break for some easy scoops in the first quarter...
I like Hakeem. I still think he's one of the better centers in this league. Hakeem still has a decent fadeway and a jumper. That's more than a lot of centers can say. ------------------
DREAMer, I'm with you. He was loyal to us when the rest of the team sucked and I will be loyal to him until the end. You can't be #1 every year. Sometimes you have to take the bad with the good. Real Rocket fans understand that. ------------------
What does it take to get some RESPECT? Man, there are a whole lot of Rockets fans that are down-right forgetful and unforgiving. Steve, hope you're reading this stuff. You're next! ------------------ 5..4..3..2..1.....We have lift off! Go Rockets!
Blastoff- YES ! RESPECT ! ! ! I tried to get that point across when Rudy T. was being called less than a used car salesman. The negitivity is off the charts. ------------------ We would like to get rookie Francis on the break for some easy scoops in the first quarter...
Dreamer, I have been one to criticize Hakeem. I also criticize any of the Rockets that I think are playing badly. I temper my remarks by saying I think Dream is the best Rocket ever. My only point about Dream is that he is not playing with any amount of desire anymore. He just seems to be going through the motions. I would rather he contribute to the team and become a leader for the young kids, but he seems to have gone into a shell and is just playing out a string. I do not want him to retire, rather, I would like to see him come on strong in his last year. I just think he needs an attitude adjustment. DaDakota ------------------
I don't think anyone on this page could be a Rocket's fan and not appreciate what Hakeem has done. The problem is, that he's reached a point where the team is transitioning. He won't be a part of the new team, and he hasn't been able to help with the transition. In the ideal world, he would have played well, continuing to provide the backbone for the team as he turned the burden over to the newcomers like Francis and Cato. It's not his fault, but between injury and respiratory condidtions, and trying to recover from these, he hasn't been there. No team, or business, can afford to pay almost half its payroll to someone out of appreciation. You pay players to play. You express appreciation in other ways. The players who are carrying the load of the Rockets will make, at best, a fourth of his salary. You can afford to do that with a Michael Jordan, or even the Hakeem of a few years ago, but not a player who has been sidelined for most of the season, and isn't showing signs of bouncing back for next year. It's not fair to the players or the fans to hold the team in limbo; building it around Steve Francis on one hand, but keeping Hakeem as the centerpiece. It's also not fair to tie Rudy T's hands with the salary cap, giving him no room to aquire players or upgrade the team to build it around the new core. I appreciate all Hakeem has done, and exhault him for the contribution he has made. But, I would rather remember him bowing out gracefully, than hindering the team's growth. ------------------
I think that if Hakeem left this year that would be the worst thing for him. He has had many injuries this year and hasn't come back yet. Going out like this would be something I wouldn't want to do if I were in Hakeem's shoes. Hakeem has next year to prove himself and if I were him I would do just as he is doing. Forcing him to retire this year would be disgraceful to the man we all called our hero. I know he is planning to go out on top and I know we will all be wowed by his play next year just like we were a few years ago when it seemed like the Dream was just in fact, a Dream. No man could play like that, we all thought it must have been a Dream. ------------------
dc, overall brilliant post. However.... ....paying Hakeem 'almost half its payroll' was an effort by the Rockets to "lock him up" long term, which they did. The Rockets appreciated his ability and potential to contribute to a run at the title at that time, so they compensated him accordingly. Ultimately, the Rockets delivered and Hakeem was certainly a huge factor. Because Hakeem is not as productive as he was in years past due to health, injuries and age, are you guys telling me that the Rockets should just slime their way out of honoring the contract they gave him? Say the Rockets carried out such a plan. Do you think that the Tim Duncans and Grant Hills of the world would still be interested in signing with Houston? ------------------ 5..4..3..2..1.....We have lift off! Go Rockets! [This message has been edited by BlastOff (edited March 16, 2000).]
I just think its incredible for all these "Rockets Fans". Last year we lost because of Barkley, now we are losing because of Hakeem. Who is going to be hld responsible if (positive thinking here) we lose when Hakeem retires? I think it was mentioned earlier, but look out Steve these posters will be all over you in a few years if the Rocks don't win. All these fans saying that Hakeem sucks, he should give the game away etc. etc. makes me sick, I mean you call yourselves fans but all you have to say about a true legend are disparaging remarks and negative comments. Props to all those who take a stand against these anti-Dreams!! ------------------ C'mon, lets get Chuck that ring.
I love Dream as much as anyone. But lets be truthful here. We are not blaming the losses on Dream. We are blaming Dream for not hustling and not looking interested. Its just not us. Its the whole basketball world saying this. Missing dunks? Missing point blank shots? Bad positioning on defense? Not running back? Listen, if he was the only mid 30 player who is playing basketball, then we can't say a peep. But Malone, Ewing, Robinson, Miller, hell even Robert Parrish played better at Dreams age than Dream now. And I am not mad because he is showing his age. The problem is he is getting abused by people like OLDEN POLYNICE? Damn, has it gotten that bad? I am not going to talk about this anymore because Dream alot of influence in me playing ball in high school and college. And its a painful, sad, sorry sight to see Dream just get beat the hell up night in and night out. The only reason alot of us are sad in here for Dream is because we wish we could put our youth in him so that he can abuse the living crap out of people for one more year! ------------------ Live Rocketball. Breathe Rocketball. Die with Rocketball.
Dreamer, I wasn't going to post on this topic, but I want to support your position. I don't get to see too many Rockets games, so I enjoyed the Knicks game in spite of the loss and Hakeem's struggles. I enjoy checking this site to occasionaly pick up bits of info about the Rocks that I otherwise would not. Reading all the negative posts about Hakeem is much worse than watching them lose to the Knicks the other night. This team was turned over to a rookie very early on. Even MJ could not carry the Bulls in his rookie season, or several after that. People really discount the health problems that Hakeem has had this season. Is he cured of his breathing problems? I don't think so. All players go through slumps. I saw some nice moves in the game, but the shot didn't drop. I may have missed it, but I don't think anyone has mentioned the play (I think in the 3rd quarter) where Hakeem went to the floor after a ball that resulted in a turnover. How many centers to you see do that? Especially ones that supposedly don't care anymore. Hakeem has been the last one down the floor most of the time throughout his whole career. So do most all the other centers. I don't expect to change anyone's opinion who thinks Hakeem sucks, is a pain in the ass, doesn't care, is only playing for the money, can never contribute again, won't show the young guys how to win, etc. He may or may not be completely healthy again and he may or may not again be somewhat close to the player he was a few years ago. I don't know. I do know know that I will not villify him this year or next year if he plays, regardless of the results on this transitional team that has been turned over to some rookies and second year players. ------------------
Blastoff- Duncan & Hill will go to whoever can pay them the most and who has a chance to win. I don't think they care about the way players have been treated in the past. My point is players are after the money and the rings, not about basketball history. Also the Rockets according to you need to be loyal to Dream, but don't the Rockets also need to be loyal to the fans to put the best product on the court (still alot of empty seats available for home games, so there are people not going to the games. Don't the Rockets also need to do the best for the owner to make money. I don't believe in loyalty as a reason to pay someone, unless they are still being productive. Before everyone gets mad, I like Dream and I was excited for him to come back after his injury, especially once I saw Chuck's career end prematurely. However this is not the Dream that I want to remember. The longer he plays at this caliber the more people are going to forget about the best center of the 90's. ------------------
my only reasons to question hakeem is sometimes he dones't look like he cares ------------------ Shane "Save Our Rockets" "Life without basketball in Houston........without an arena that is what it will be"
i think loyalty goes both way. the rockets need to be loyal to the contract but i think at times dream needs to be loyal to the contract and think to himself am i really playing up to the 15 mil a year contract. am i giving teh team what they deserve for that price etc. ------------------ Shane "Save Our Rockets" "Life without basketball in Houston........without an arena that is what it will be"
Well...the Pacer game is now over...and while I didn't see all of it (came in during the second quarter) The few minutes I saw Dream on the floor definitely looked better than I've seen lately...Maybe someone has been lightin a fire underneath his tall butt!! Still takin a bit of time gettin down the floor, but he reminded that Dutch-boy who he is!! Go ROCKS ------------------ Lottery or No Lottery Losing on Purpose is NOT Acceptable!
