Did anyone see the footage of this game? Dude, Hakeem's knee pads were HUGE, they looked like Patrick Ewing style knee pads...
Man is there some pathetic posts in this thread... Pay a bit of respect fellas... How old are you Manny? 12? If so...you'll grow up sooner or later I guess...
I'm 28--but thanks for asking. I could give a rat's ass about you wanting me to show respect to someone who stabbed the Rockets organization in the back. Man, I feel sorry for you because it's obvious that you have fallen hook, line, and sinker for the "classy" Olajuwon image that the media has fed to us. I believe in loyalty, SRJ, and nothing pisses me off more than to see someone be an ingrate and not be loyal like the "Dream". Maybe you need to grow up if you can't see this.
I am curious. What have the Raptors done, ZRB, that indicates they appreciate Hakeem more than the Rockets? Did they pay him more? No, Rockets have paid him more than anyone over the course of history...even when he was hurt or not producing. Will they play him more? No, and in fact, they probably can't. Any more minutes than Dream got with us last season and he would probably have sustained even worse injuries. Will they run the offense through Hakeem, like we didn't do for most of last season? No. I find it hard to believe that Dream will be the main focus of the offense, like he wanted here in Houston. Vince Carter will still be the man, and Dream will have to deal with that harsh reality even moreso than Steve Francis here in Houston. Does Lenny Wilkens "know how to use big men"? I don't remember seeing too many big men centered offenses run in Atlanta under Lenny. Call me crazy, but I am seeing little evidence that Toronto "appreciates" Dream more in any fashion, save the fact that they paid him a little more THIS season than we were willing. But really, why should money make that big of a difference to Dream? He has so much already.
"The difference between Patrick and me is he had major injuries. Al my injuries in the past were cosmetic. So I'm healthy, and I'm excited." -- Raptors C Hakeem Olajuwon, in the Oct. 3 Buffalo News, on the differences between himself and Magic C Patrick Ewing That shows you how much respect he had for the Rockets in the end, if these injuries were all cosmetic.
Dream never did anything for the Raptors, yet they gave him more than the Rockets offered. No, Houston was more concerned with overpaying a 13-5 forward than giving the organization's greatest player a little extra cash. Hakeem was stabbed in the back by the Rockets, he didn't do the stabbing. ScreamingRocketJet- I guess the Aussies are the only ones who appreciate what Hakeem did for the Rockets.
Hakeem the Greed screwed the Rockets over. He wanted out, and knew that much before July 1. If he didn't wait around, the Rockets may have been able to land Webber or Davis, knowing that they wouldn't get Olajuwon back.
Weak. So you are saying that the only reason Toronto has "appreciated" Hakeem more is because they were willing to pay slightly more for his services than we were? You know, the final offers weren't all that far off. The Rockets offered the 3 year deal, Dream didn't want it. He said afterwards that the "Rockets were never really in it." How much opportunity did Dream give his former to get him back? Doesn't sound like much to me. I love Dream, always have and always will. But it sounds to me like he was dead set on playing somewhere else from the beginning. And if the only thing the Raptors have done and can do to show their "superior" appreciation for Dream is to add a couple more millions dollars on to a contract for a player that is already rich beyond most people's wildest dreams....well, then I would have to question what you really consider as important when you are appreciated. And you can't tell me that Toronto as a city showed more love for Dream than Houston. The ONLY difference in that signing was money, pure and simple. Money really should not have been a big issue, considering what we paid Dream his last two seasons with us, when he averaged like 12 and 7.
Manny It's nothing to do with Hakeem...it's to do with you having a go at blokes who like him. 28 years old and you feel the need to come here and stir guys up about players they like...? That's sad mate...
It's the principle of the thing. TheRockets lowballed their greatest ever player. And I don't read the statement "they were never in it" the same way you do. He didn't mean that he never considered the Rockets, he simply meant that he never got an offer that would entice him to come back.
I would much rather pay a player that is willing to work as hard as he can at the age of 24 was it? To become the best player he can be for us. Hakeem is only getting worse and 3 years is not worth risking the re-building of this team for him, yet the Rockets gave him that. If we gave more money to Hakeem then we're not being loyal to the other free agents that "want" to sign (Moochie, Shandon, MoT, Bullard). And that's business, you can't be loyal to someone, and totally dishonest with another. 3 years is far too much for Hakeem and with Toronto giving him 4 years, I wont mind betting they will buy out his contract in 2 years, if that.
SRJ, With the exception of ZRB (and he shouldn't really count because he's a liberal and he's from the Pacific Northwest) , you are the only other person who is sticking up for Olajuwon. Everyone else here that has posted on this thread feels like I do. Go back and read Raven Lunatic's 2nd post..I couldn't have said it better myself. Hakeem is the reason that I became a Rocket fan, but what happened to his plan of retiring after last season? You have to admit that he wasn't earning his 16 million plus with his play the last couple of years. The bottom line is that he is scared to death to do anything other than play basketball, and as a result he and Patrick Ewing are going to end up like Willie Mays and Muhammad Ali - they held on for too long. You know what really made me mad more than anything with Hakeem? He had shown throughout last season that if he was coming back to play it wouldn't be for the Rockets. I was resigned to the fact that he was gone after the T-Wolves game. Then I read that he says, "The best thing that the Rockets can do is bring back the entire team for next year." He also said this, "The Rockets with what we had last year can win the NBA championship." Then, in a WTF?, he's wanting to play for the Raptors. He knew all along that he didn't want to come back but he played CD and the Rockets. It's like a girl that strings a guy along--Olajuwon did the same exact damn thing to CD and the Rockets. It ruined any chance that we had in going after Webber. For him to do this--play the Rockets like he did--is unforgivable. You might think that it is to get people stirred up, but once again with the exception of ZRB, no one else other than you has been defending Olajuwon. Don't think that is a coincindence. It looks like to me that you are in the minority. Once again it all boils down to loyalty. How would you feel if something happened to Australia and the United States decided not to back your country? You would feel pretty pissed at the US, wouldn't you because they were disloyal. Now you know how we feel about Olajuwon.
Err... except (again) the offer he got wasn't that much better than what the Rockets gave him. I assume a liiiiiiiittle bit more money was enough to entice him? Hakeem is no longer a Rocket. Screw Hakeem. Enjoy the memories, he'll still be there. Cherish the future, we're a damn good team without him. I defended the knucklehead when he was here, I'll be damned if I defend him after he dumped on us and went to an enemy. DUNK ON HIM ONCE FOR ME STEVIE!!!!
Manny I would hardly call a military alliance comparative to a sports star and his team... Secondly, Hakeem leaving was his prerogative. He owed Houston nothing. The guy gave well over a decades top quality service and two championships. I'm telling you as someone who has travelled to a fair few countries, Hakeem absolutely put Houston sports on the world map. Finally...he has left. Get over it and wish him well. Even if you don't like him, at least show some respect for what he did for this franchise. Geez...the bloke did enough for this team that we owe it to him to at least respect his decision and wish him well. I really hope your not going to be stupid enough to post here all season every time Hakeem has a poor game. Honestly, you sound like a kid with nothing better to do. Let it go...and let's concentrate on what current Rockets are doing.
SRJ, A couple of points that I would like to make here: 1) I know that I started this thread but I find it humorous that you would ignore everyone else who has posted on this thread except for ZRB and keep singling me out as "some 12 year-old kid". Are the other people who have felt the same way that I do "12 year-old kids"? Yes, I'm a petty person and that is something that I have to work on, but just because I'm petty doesn't mean I'm a 12 year old kid (although it would be great to have some of their advantages--don't have to have a job plus at my physical size, I could really dominate sports and the other "12 year-olds" like Danny Almonte! ) 2) Yea, Olajuwon doesn't owe Houston anything but you would think after 17 years of playing with them and 20 years of playing in the city of Houston, he could do a better job of leaving. If you ask me, the man is very prideful and has a huge ego. This, in his eyes, was something that he had to do because he felt the Rockets were making him look stupid. 3) Olajuwon still won't admit that he is past his prime. Just go back and read mfclark's post where Olajuwon said his recent injuries were all cosmetic. How can you call a hernia, a serious knee injury (in '98), blood circulation problems, and essentially, asthma cosmetic injuries? Obviously, he is deluding himself and trying to make himself feel good. He must feel bad that he was making 16 million plus while he had all these "cosmetic" injuries. Then again, probably not. 4) Olajuwon knew that he had the Rockets in a tough spot. He wouldn't admit that he was past his prime, but at the same time he wouldn't let the Rockets give him a fair offer. As other people have said, the Raptors' offer wasn't much better than the Rockets, but then again, the Rockets were never in it according to Hakeem. I rather let him leave then sacrifice the future of the franchise. You do realize that if we had re-signed him for what he wanted dollar-wise and year-wise, then we would never be able to re-sign anyone else or get any other free agents. I like Olajuwon or did like him, but I'm glad the Rockets didn't cater to him and that they want to make the playoffs and compete for a championship. 5) I am a fan of the Houston Rockets not of Hakeem Olajuwon, Steve Francis, Charles Barkley, or anyone else. That doesn't mean that I don't like those guys, but once they leave my team, then I'm not going to stop rooting for the Rockets and root for their new team. That's the greatest thing about being a fan...players come and go, and someone that you might have hated in the past like Barkley, you now love because he's on your favorite team. At least that's the way I look at it. 6) As much fun as it would be to point out every bad game that Hakeem will have this year, it will get tiresome because I'll have to do it every other day. It will become like a broken record, and besides, I already have ruffled some feathers here so it will probably be wise not to point out every bad game that he will have which will probably be like 65 out of 82. That about sums it up...this 12 year-old still has lots of things to do before he goes to bed in another 3 hours!
What have the Raptors done to make Hakeem feel more appreciated? 1) 5 separate Raptor players called to tell him they wanted him in Toronto. Not Stevie, Cuttino, Mo... he said not one of his Rocket team mates called to try and convince him to stay. 2) Mamadou N'Diaye - a fellow African and muslim - and Raptor, called to thank him for opening the door to Africans and that he would be homored to learn from him. Apparently Mamadou spent several weeks in Houston working out with Hakeem prior to training camp. 3) He may not play a larger role in Toronto and I don't think that's the issue. The issue is that this WAS his team and no longer is. Toronto never was his team so his status isn't of the "pushed out" sort it's of the "added support" sort. 4) Toronto has a very diverse population and is home to many Nigerians and very many muslims. Houston will always be his home - but there was a whole community here waiting to welcome him. 5) The Raptors spoke of maybe reaching the Finals with Dream. Whether this happens or not is irrelevant. Houston wanted him to stay out of loyalty and what he "was". Toronto wanted him to help them win and what he "is" or "could be". They WANTED him more and when you're 38 (or 40 or 43 or whatever he is) and you feel you can give your team more than they actually care to take - then you go somewhere where your skillset and experience are wanted. Hakeem said he always wondered what it would be like to play for another team and considering the make up of the Raptors - you have to admit he makes a better fit than he does with the Rockets. Why stay and be a symbol of what was when you can be a symbol of what could be. It's a matter of perception and it's Hakeem's preception that matters. If you guys want to b**** and complain that he came to Toronto for a measley couple of mil over 3 years then I feel sorry for you selfish ingrates. Hakeem helped build the Rockets into what they are and you may not like the fact that he is gone - but ZRB is 100% right - atleast show the man some respect. You make it sound like he pulled a Tracy McGrady on you for crying out loud.
And really Manny, how many superstars admit that they are "past their prime"? Hakeem: "Oh yeah, I'm garbage now. That Hakeem you saw in 95- he's gone for good. I will never be the same player. Since I'm such crap, could you please sign me to less than my market value, so I can painfully end my career with a team that doesn't want me? Thanks." Right.
It's admirable and noble of you to feel the way you do about him, but you have to admit that because of his play the last couple of seasons plus his age and his tendency to get injured, that signing him to what he wanted was a very risky proposition. You have to admit that Olajuwon had the Rockets between a rock and a hard place. I know it had to kill CD inside to see him go, but once again, I rather the Rockets do that then be a lottery team for the next 3 to 4 seasons. If he had just done what he said he was going to do in retiring then all this could have been avoided. However, he let his ego get in the way. I'm not expecting to change your mind...I just want you to see where I'm coming from.
