1. Welcome! Please take a few seconds to create your free account to post threads, make some friends, remove a few ads while surfing and much more. ClutchFans has been bringing fans together to talk Houston Sports since 1996. Join us!

Rockets could be frontrunner for Marc Jackson if Hakeem leaves

Discussion in 'Houston Rockets: Game Action & Roster Moves' started by The Cat, Jul 31, 2001.

Tags:
Page 1 of 2
  1. The Cat

    The Cat Contributing Member

    Joined:
    Jan 24, 2000
    Messages:
    20,796
    Likes Received:
    5,204
    [​IMG]

    http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/story.hts/sports/bk/bkn/987113

    Olajuwon remains no closer to choice


    Raptors seem ready to increase ante

    By JONATHAN FEIGEN
    Copyright 2001 Houston Chronicle

    The Rockets have not lost Hakeem Olajuwon. But keeping him could be getting more difficult.

    With the Rockets' latest offer rejected, the Raptors have sent every indication they had one more trump card to play -- a willingness to guarantee a third season of a contract -- sources with knowledge of the negotiations said Tuesday.

    The Rockets had increased their offer to Olajuwon, 38, to a three-year deal worth $13 million, guaranteeing $10 million of the contract. Olajuwon since instructed his agent, Dan Fegan, not to entertain any further offers.

    But sources said advisers to Olajuwon have prevailed upon him to allow the Rockets another chance to keep him.

    But while the teams worked to close the deal and prepared for Olajuwon's decision, sources said Olajuwon was undecided about what he wanted to do.

    "Nobody can tell what Hakeem is going to do and that includes Hakeem," a source, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said. "That much I can tell you with complete certainty. He's leaning toward not considering more offers and has felt that way for several days. That would indicate that he would be leaving. But he definitely has not made that decision."

    If the Raptors guarantee the third year of their offer, previously made with a team option, they could guarantee $15 million even without the Rockets agreeing to a sign-and-trade deal.

    But the Rockets had not cut off negotiations with Olajuwon's representatives, indicating a potential to tweak their latest offer, already increased from a one-year, $4.1 million deal.

    Fegan did not return phone messages Tuesday.
    But while the Rockets continue to place their emphasis on signing Olajuwon, a potential fallback plan has emerged in Golden State center Marc Jackson.

    Jackson, 26, a 6-10, 270 center, met with the Pacers on Tuesday and has been pursued by the Sonics and Warriors. But the Rockets could become the front-runner to sign Jackson, several sources said, if they choose to recruit him.

    The Rockets have spoken to guard Cuttino Mobley and draft pick Eddie Griffin about Jackson, a fellow Philadelphia product, sources said. Jackson was a high school friend and rival of Mobley's, is a close friend with Rockets free-agent guard Sean Colson and a role model to Griffin, a successor at Philadelphia's Roman Catholic High School.

    Jackson, considered the Rookie of the Year front-runner before a groin injury ended his season early, said in March he hoped the Rockets would try to sign him.

    "Oh man, that would be great," Jackson said. "With Cat (Mobley), Steve (Francis) Kenny (Thomas), they have some great young talent. That would be a great place to be."

    But because of their determination to sign Olajuwon, the Rockets have not completed evaluations of Jackson, sources said, and are unsure if he could be a replacement for Olajuwon.

    Jackson's agent, Joel Bell, was unwilling to comment.

    The Rockets have continued to focus their efforts on Olajuwon and have not set a deadline for him to reach a decision.

    "I think he understands completely how I feel," Rockets owner Leslie Alexander said. "I've made my emotions known, really known, to him. We very much want him to be here with us."

    Said Mobley: "Of course we need him. He's top 50 all-time. You see that, what he brings to the game. You saw that last year, before the All Star break, the old Dream. We need that.
    "Dream, we need you. We love you."

    But with Olajuwon's decision, if not his options, narrowed to the Raptors and Rockets, both teams have similarly narrowed their focus.

    "We don't have other priorities other than Hakeem right now," Raptors general manager Glen Grunwald said. "The opportunity to acquire someone of Hakeem's stature is something we can't pass up.

    "We remain interested and hopeful that something will work," Grunwald said, adding that he has seen Olajuwon workout twice. "It's obviously very significant for him to even consider leaving Houston, where he has spent his entire career and had an unbelievable amount of success."
    ------------------
    Draftsource.net-- the premier source for draft info. Profiles, rankings, mock drafts, and more!

    The Mo Taylor Fan Site

    [This message has been edited by The Cat (edited July 31, 2001).]
     
    #1 The Cat, Jul 31, 2001
  2. Clutch

    Clutch Administrator
    Staff Member

    Joined:
    Feb 13, 1999
    Messages:
    22,660
    Likes Received:
    31,896
    "if they choose to recruit him."

    I heard a few weeks ago the Rockets did not have interest in him.... we'll see how legit that is though. I mean why else is Jackson waiting?

    ------------------
    NOTHING BUT .NET
    CLUTCHCITY.NET

    [This message has been edited by Clutch (edited July 31, 2001).]
     
    #2 Clutch, Jul 31, 2001
  3. Francis3

    Francis3 Member

    Joined:
    Mar 29, 1999
    Messages:
    3,640
    Likes Received:
    3
    Good. I think Marc was waiting this whole time to see what Hakeem was going to do.



    ------------------
    "The girls danced, started fondling me, I got aroused, they performed oral sex," Ewing said. "I hung around a little bit and talked to them, then I left."
     
    #3 Francis3, Jul 31, 2001
  4. RocksMillenium

    RocksMillenium Contributing Member

    Joined:
    Dec 28, 2000
    Messages:
    10,018
    Likes Received:
    507
    Hmmm, interesting. It would be nice to re-sign our own free agents, get Marc Jackson, and see if we couldn't get an extra big man.

    ------------------
    What if I say to you that the universe is a three-legged horse, eh? What then?
    - Russell Hoban
     
    #4 RocksMillenium, Jul 31, 2001
  5. Jeff

    Jeff Clutch Crew

    Joined:
    Feb 14, 1999
    Messages:
    22,412
    Likes Received:
    362
    You suck, CAT! I was just reading this.

    Also, interesting that the Rockets could "tweak" their offer.

    I heard recently that they liked Jackson but were convinced Hakeem would return and didn't bother to check into him much supposedly because they also thought he would sign with Golden State.

    ------------------
    Who's your buddy? Who's your pal? I am, aren't I?
     
    #5 Jeff, Jul 31, 2001
  6. ZRB

    ZRB Contributing Member

    Joined:
    Jul 31, 2000
    Messages:
    6,818
    Likes Received:
    4
    They might as well renounce Dream and sign Jackson while they still can. Since there is zero chance of Hakeem returning, they should just get this over with. I am so looking forward to the end of the worst offseason in history.

    ------------------
    Protrolls.com!

    The next person to post on my message board will win a prize!

    The ZRBucks!
     
    #6 ZRB, Jul 31, 2001
  7. RocksMillenium

    RocksMillenium Contributing Member

    Joined:
    Dec 28, 2000
    Messages:
    10,018
    Likes Received:
    507
    It was obvious Dream didn't want to return. Maybe he had his sights set on Toronto already since they're more of a half-court team. It would explain why Dream came out with the statement that he wanted to keep the team intact, and then turned around and asked for enough money where they COULDN'T re-sign their own free agents, forcing the Rockets hands.

    ------------------
    What if I say to you that the universe is a three-legged horse, eh? What then?
    - Russell Hoban
     
    #7 RocksMillenium, Jul 31, 2001
  8. JoeBarelyCares

    JoeBarelyCares Contributing Member

    Joined:
    Jan 9, 2001
    Messages:
    6,502
    Likes Received:
    1,736
    We'll have to top $4.5 million the first year to Jackson to keep Golden State from matching. This is more than the $4.1 million (first year) we are offering Hakeem. I guess Bullard would have to take less than his $2.96 million bird slot for us to sign Jackson, somewhere we apparently don't want to venture to re-sign Hakeem.

    ------------------


    [This message has been edited by JoeBarelyCares (edited July 31, 2001).]
     
    #8 JoeBarelyCares, Jul 31, 2001
  9. The Cat

    The Cat Contributing Member

    Joined:
    Jan 24, 2000
    Messages:
    20,796
    Likes Received:
    5,204
    JBC,

    I read a recent report on the Sporting News that stated because the Warriors already had 14 guaranteed contracts, they were unlikely to match an offer to Jackson in the 3-4 million per year range.

    ------------------
    Draftsource.net-- the premier source for draft info. Profiles, rankings, mock drafts, and more!

    The Mo Taylor Fan Site
     
    #9 The Cat, Aug 1, 2001
  10. ZRB

    ZRB Contributing Member

    Joined:
    Jul 31, 2000
    Messages:
    6,818
    Likes Received:
    4
    God, how awful it would be to lose Bullard. Hakeem just isn't worth the pain that would be caused by losing Bullard.

    ------------------
    Protrolls.com!

    The next person to post on my message board will win a prize!

    The ZRBucks!
     
    #10 ZRB, Aug 1, 2001
  11. SteveFrancis3

    SteveFrancis3 Contributing Member

    Joined:
    May 15, 2001
    Messages:
    1,833
    Likes Received:
    17
    Sweet. [​IMG] That would be great if we could get him at 3-4 million.
     
    #11 SteveFrancis3, Aug 1, 2001
  12. Jeff

    Jeff Clutch Crew

    Joined:
    Feb 14, 1999
    Messages:
    22,412
    Likes Received:
    362
    You know it really isn't about that, ZRB. It isn't about money for Bull. His signing was a given with or without a Hakeem contract. If you want to blame this on anyone, it would be on Taylor.

    The Rockets have partial or full Bird rights to Anderson, Norris and Bullard. Only Taylor must be signed without going over the cap.

    It's not Taylor's fault either. They consider him integral to the team along with the rest. Hakeem just doesn't want to cooperate with that.

    ------------------
    Who's your buddy? Who's your pal? I am, aren't I?
     
    #12 Jeff, Aug 1, 2001
  13. ZRB

    ZRB Contributing Member

    Joined:
    Jul 31, 2000
    Messages:
    6,818
    Likes Received:
    4
    Yeah, I know Jeff. I'm just disappointed that my favorite player ever to play in the NBA will no longer be playing for my favorite team.

    I will still be a Rocket fan, but something will be missing. Until the Rockets retire Hakeem's jersey, my heart will not be in the Rockets in the same way.

    ------------------
    Protrolls.com!

    The next person to post on my message board will win a prize!

    The ZRBucks!
     
    #13 ZRB, Aug 1, 2001
  14. DaDakota

    DaDakota If you want to know, just ask!

    Joined:
    Mar 14, 1999
    Messages:
    124,204
    Likes Received:
    33,077
    Oh man, I would LOVE to see Dream leave if we can get Jackson.

    DaDakota

    ------------------
    If you like RTS games, check out this one.

    www.frontierwars.com

    coming soon to a PC near you.
     
    #14 DaDakota, Aug 1, 2001
  15. huby_n1

    huby_n1 Member

    Joined:
    Jul 17, 2001
    Messages:
    250
    Likes Received:
    2
    I don't think it's worth it gambling on a player like Marc Jackson, after all he only played around 50 games in the NBA. Just say we sign him to a long term deal, it could really screw us over the next few years. We've already have Cato, and now Marc Jackson? I don't think so.
    What we can do is wait for a couple of years, when Tim Duncan is once again back on the market, and sign him through rest of his career. Title number 3 for H-Town!!!

    ------------------
     
    #15 huby_n1, Aug 1, 2001
  16. jbond77

    jbond77 Contributing Member

    Joined:
    Nov 14, 2000
    Messages:
    466
    Likes Received:
    162
    Its pretty obvious my favortie player will leave my favorite team as well. That sucks, but its not like this is happening out of nowhere, the warning signs have been written from Day 1 Offseason and you know it ZRB! [​IMG]Once were over the shock.


    Marc Jackson looks good, especially with the more and more playground connection chemistry we have. Jesus, Eddies mentor was Jackson, Cuttio and all them grew up around each other in Philly. Sean Colson knows em [​IMG]. Moochie being Stevies rolemodel in DC, Walt from DC, and MO from Detroit. Hakeem isn't right for this team, although I do like the idea of him staying. One big playground Escalade and Hummer world of Master P and fogged up windows playing playstation two. You can't buy that kinda of generational chemistry.

    Add Jackson.

    He's been waiting for us and only us.

    Nov 4 is my birthday, and I always get a present that week.....the Houston Rockets. [​IMG]


    ------------------
    -jbond77
    "truth be told, my car is dead, and I'm having am radio withdrawl symptoms"
     
    #16 jbond77, Aug 1, 2001
  17. Elvis Costello

    Elvis Costello Member

    Joined:
    Sep 21, 1999
    Messages:
    711
    Likes Received:
    1
    Ok, ZRB..easy, easy..back away from the hyperbole bridge! The Rockets got what many considered the #1 pick in the draft. Hakeem is just in the mid-life crisis mode like a lot of people experience. I think it is clear that he just wants to see what it is like somewhere else. No crisis and the Rockets are not running him out, either. (see Joe Montana, Jerry Rice, Patrick Ewing, Wilt Chamberlin and, shortly, Michael Jordan), While the Hakeem saga may suck, this is not "the worst off-season in history." That would be either the Astro's offseason of 1999-2000 or in Poland, summer of 1939. Slightly worse there...

    -Elvis!

    ------------------


    [This message has been edited by Elvis Costello (edited August 01, 2001).]
     
    #17 Elvis Costello, Aug 1, 2001
  18. Swopa

    Swopa Contributing Member

    Joined:
    Sep 28, 1999
    Messages:
    1,063
    Likes Received:
    0
    Yeah, right, which is why he met with the Pacers today.

    Jackson has been waiting for a big-money offer, and only a big-money offer. Did you miss all the nice things he said about Seattle when they still had cap room?

    If Mussolini had $5M-plus under the cap, Jackson would be saying how impressed he was by Italian fascism.

    ------------------
    "I personally wouldn't give up my college years for anything. It was the funnest time I have ever had. But with the money they are getting, you can't blame a kid for coming out."
    —Jazz forward Scott Padgett, demonstrating the value of a college education
     
    #18 Swopa, Aug 1, 2001
  19. r-fan-since-81

    r-fan-since-81 Contributing Member

    Joined:
    Sep 21, 1999
    Messages:
    1,291
    Likes Received:
    44
    We (The Rockets) could not go wrong by offering Marc a one year deal for, say about 4.6 Million. Which GS could not match. Rent his services for year. If he plays great, we give him an extention for 5 years. If he sux, o'well he is the best free agent available at the center position.

    Is this possible Krispee Kringle aka-Heypartner?

    ------------------
    Keep Mo Ta & now we have Ta Mo

    [This message has been edited by r-fan-since-81 (edited August 01, 2001).]
     
    #19 r-fan-since-81, Aug 1, 2001
  20. e-bull

    e-bull Member

    Joined:
    Apr 23, 2001
    Messages:
    64
    Likes Received:
    0
    getting MarC Jackson could be the best thing the Rocks could add as long as we get a)a viable big man in return from the dinos or b)the first rounder that has been mentioned, which will be in the latter part of the draft. Jacks can run the floor and will give us the only true inside prsence that the Rocks have been looking for. The chemistry would be awesome.

    ------------------
     
    #20 e-bull, Aug 1, 2001
(You must log in or sign up to post here.)
Page 1 of 2

Share This Page

Toggle Width
Style
ClutchFans Original

  • About ClutchFans

    Since 1996, ClutchFans has been loud and proud covering the Houston Rockets, helping set an industry standard for team fan sites. The forums have been a home for Houston sports fans as well as basketball fanatics around the globe.

  • Rockets Content

  • Support ClutchFans!

    If you find that ClutchFans is a valuable resource for you, please consider becoming a Supporting Member. Supporting Members can upload photos and attachments directly to their posts, customize their user title and more. Gold Supporters see zero ads!


    Upgrade Now