POLL: Is it a cap issue, or is Dream thrawting growth

I'd vote cap if it were an html poll .

But I admit that if he does walk, I won't be upset as much as I otherwise would for the other reason. I don't think he's really preventing the Rockets from reaching potential... but it would be nice to give Francis/Mobley free reign.

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Bigboy, you did not answer the question with a credible answer. Deferring money is completely different from playing for less without being compensated later on. You list football players and a baseball player deferring money until later on. That is not possible with the current CBA in the NBA.

I knew you would list Charles. What did he make last year? That was a wink-wink deal from the year before.

Would you take a pay cut from the company you work for (assuming you work) so the company could hire another employee or buy a piece of equipment that would improve productivity? Why would you expect anyone else to do that?

Finally, you claimed that most superstars have sacrificed for their teams. Then you named 3 football players and a baseball player that deferred money, Charles who had a Joe Smith deal, but didn't get caught and David Robinson who "sacrificed" by playing on the same court with Tim Duncan who carried them to a championship. By the way, I don't think Robinson sacrificed in his new deal, do you? Also, what did McNair just sign for? Boy, that was a great example.

Okay, if I give you all the questionable examples you mention, that adds up to 6 people. So, if that is most of the superstars, that means there are no more than 11 superstars, not counting Dream. Gee, I didn't know Drew Bledsoe was in such lofty company.

To answer your question, I don't know of anytime that Hakeem has sacrificed for the team. What is your point?

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Cap Issue

I think all of us that have watched Hakeem throughout his glorius career would enjoy watching him take the 01-02 retirement tour.
Big fella, Warrior, Champion, All-time great etc. etc. And I think the New Rockets could afford one more year to let him. They still need some more time to develop before they are going very far. And if Hakeem could muster his 'heart of a champion' effort for a round or two of the playoffs it could be a valuable example for the kids.

That being said the Rockets must not mortgage the future just to honor the past.It is obvious to everyone BUT Hakeem that time takes a toll on even the best athletes. Asthma, irregular heartbeats, blood disorders, tendenitis , geez!, I don't know how he can get health insurance much less a 10 million dollar, muti-year contract.

Hakeem got where he is precisly becuase he has a huge ego. He has been driven to work, learn, and exert maximun effort to be recognized as THE BEST. I guess if the supreme warrior has a hard time accepting his on mortality that is to be expected. But the Rockets have to accept the reality, his time is almost past, offer him the most face saving offer we can make, but the futre of the team comes first.
Besides, 7.5 mill is not exactly like putting him out on an iceflow to die.

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I find my own ignorance amusing

[This message has been edited by Gene Peterson (edited July 13, 2001).]

 

unfortunately, winning no longer became #1 when people get paid huge money with no chance of loosing their "job" (money) for poor performance or incompetance (i want a job like that ). It's about getting "your due". Remember the quote "Greed is good"

That's why you need performance bonus' which can actually get there attention. Hakeem says he wants/is worth $10mil, let him earn/proove it. The bonus' should come to about the same amount as the difference between teh 2 camps.

If Mo T is playing a game with the thought "I get 9 reb tonight & I get that new home cinema system (slight exageration)", I doubt he'll get less than 9 boards.

By the way, thanks for not flaming me (badly) treeman.

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"Hakeem gets a 3 with the final shot" - my second favorite moment of 95 finals

 

Popeye, Dark Horse, and others have already said it well. Its cap for me, but...

Hakeem should be the Rockets leader, however, his trademark play has been his best leadership trait.

HO has to realize...
1. He's 38 years old and he ain't got the game he used to, which means...
- He changes his game (like Wilt did), concentrates on def, reb, and as a 3rd-4th option on off.
- Fits his style of play with the team, not the team trying to rebuild his self-esteem
- Less touches, modified role means less dough or he has to go.
2. If he can't live with the above, he moves to a team that wants to use him as a primary off weapon or that has a chance to win it all, and can pay him $10M.

So maybe like D. Sanders its both...CAP #1, but Hakeem has to adapt to his new role and be a LEADER.

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So Moe, you must feel that Barkley's efforts were worth max 4.5 mil per year. Since Hakeem will be playing no better than Charles was while Pippen was here (almost certainly not even as well), then he should also be worth no more than 4.5 mil per year.

Lets sign him to a two year deal worth 4.5m total, and then just rest him on the IR or waive him the second year. He gets 4.5m for playing one year, the Rox take only a 2.2m cap hit.

[edit]
for me it is a cap issue btw
[/edit]
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What's a Nubian?

[This message has been edited by Hydra (edited July 13, 2001).]

 

Its not a cap issue with me.

If we could get the 2nd half Hakeem, then I would pay him what he asks, but I doubt we will get the 2nd half Hakeem. I really liked watching the 2nd half Hakeem play it seemed to be the first time in years that he enjoyed playing. But maybe that was just me.

I'm worried that we might end up with the first half Hakeem. You know, the one who looked like he was 80-yrs old, the one who looked lost on offense and the one who wasn't even playing good defense or rebounding the ball. He was on the bench in the 4th quarter because the team was better without him.

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It was the time of the preacher, in the year of '01
Now the preachin' is over, and the lessons begun . . .

 

I quess most is bit too much. However, I did give you a few. When I stated sacrifice, I did not only mean financially.

I do not know how much you are involved with the Rockets but I do not recall a wink wink deal. As I recall after a few interviews with Barkley, he was suprised that the Rockets rewarded him with such a handsome salary. Maybe there was a side agreement but do not tell me you know when you think you know.

What was the purpose of your question? My question is simple. As I was writing my post, a question simply popped in my head. I appreciate your answer.



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Fuggetabout it