Olajuwon Doesn't Back Off Miami Interest

Even Olajuwon talk is better than discussing the game!!!

From the Chronicle...

Olajuwon keeps door open for exit
By JONATHAN FEIGEN

Copyright 2001 Houston Chronicle


This time, everything Rockets center Hakeem Olajuwon said and meant was clear.

But what he would not say remained more telling.

Olajuwon worked again Thursday to heal hurt feelings from his comments this week that he said were "blown out of proportion."

But when asked if he wanted to remain with the Rockets this season or specifically considered it a goal to play for the Miami Heat, Olajuwon said nothing that would indicate any intention of remaining in Houston long enough to attend "Hakeem Olajuwon Night" on April 17.

"Like I said before, there is a possibility of many teams, if I get released," Olajuwon said. "This isn't new when I talk about getting traded or released. That was three weeks ago. If I get released, I would try to see the team that I fit the most. So there is no definite plan.

"They (South Florida reporters) said, `Is Miami a consideration? How do you feel about that?' I said, `Sure. Many teams are a possibility. It is not like anything is for sure.' I've thought about many teams.

"We said, `If you release me, for example ... ,' one of the teams I mentioned was Miami. But that wasn't the only team. There are so many other options. It's not like it is planned that way."

But Olajuwon will not be released unless it is to grant his request. He and Rockets owner Leslie Alexander, sources have said, agreed to give the season and a chance at the playoffs more time before considering a release again.

Players who began the season on NBA rosters must be on another team's roster by March 1 to be eligible to compete in the playoffs. The chance of Olajuwon getting traded is remote, given his $16.5 million contract. But the Feb. 22 trade deadline could effectively apply to releasing Olajuwon. That's because the Heat, or any other team, would want to know if Olajuwon was available before forgoing a chance at getting a big man in a trade.

Olajuwon on Wednesday took the extreme measure of calling Rockets coach Rudy Tomjanovich's radio show to apologize for his comments praising Miami coach Pat Riley's understanding of how to use big men. He said he did not mean his praise in comparison to Tomjanovich and has been "very, very happy" with his role and the Rockets' offense since his meeting with Tomjanovich last week.

"First of all, I talked to coach about playing," Olajuwon said. "I think I've been more involved in the offense the last couple of games. That issue was settled. Because my main issue before was that I could still contribute, I could still help. Once he understood that, he involved me more in the offense. But that is settled. I don't have any problems with coach."

But asked if he planned to remain with the Rockets, he said: "That kind of question you can't ask me. I think everything is just exaggerated. They make this to be a mountain out of a molehill. I think what was in the article triggered what has already been said a couple of weeks ago. That is why I was so surprised that all of a sudden, it came out as something new."

Tomjanovich described the latest problems as more routine than they might seem and said his meeting with Olajuwon solved differences he did not know existed.

"In one of our meetings we had ... there was a misunderstanding," Tomjanovich said. "While we were in this misunderstanding, it was never a negative reaction until after he got hurt. (Olajuwon missed the first 12 games last month.)

"One of the things that as an organization we try to do (is) to keep a pulse on how players are feeling. That's why I was very happy we had the meeting because my understanding was a little different than his at that time. After the meeting, I was just very grateful that we had that opportunity because I could understand where there could be bad feelings if I didn't understand his stance."

Olajuwon, 38, is averaging 10.1 points and 6.2 rebounds in 25.1 minutes per game. He averaged 11.3 points in his three games since returning to the starting lineup and said he has been pleased with how he has been used.

"I never realized what a big issue this would be," Olajuwon said. "It wasn't a big issue until the results became so big and others tried to twist the situation. So I was surprised to see how big it came out to be."

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Me fail English? That's unpossible.