Let's say, hypothetically, the Rockets are working on a deal/trade that would send Hakeem away. Let's say their number one concern is fan reaction. Let's say that there are people in the front office of the organization that check the BBS regularly. Now is your chance. Let your voice be heard. If Hakeem Olajuwon is no longer with the Rockets, will you still be a fan? I will. If the trade isn't stupid, as long as we get some advantage in cap space/picks/players, I'm with this team.
Hakeem might get us more wins this year, because of his defense, and even the offense. But he doesn't seem to like our offense or have the patience to let these young players get better at it, and he doesn't seem to want to learn new tricks and help the new system grow. CD and Rudy, if you can't teach the dog new tricks, and he wants out...what can you do? Complaining from a Hall-of-Famer is not a good way to teach Cato how to act. So much for Dream taking Cato under his wings. Dream, if you want to play your own way, and complain about it, what do you want? Wow, I never thought Dream would complain and claim this is a business, "I can play for a contender for another year." Nice abandonment of the new era just because the coaches abandon your offense...here's the door! [This message has been edited by heypartner (edited January 16, 2001).]
It´s dream that wants out. He has stated so, and it´s he that has opened the door to a trade. That being said, i wouldn´t oppose to the RIGHT deal. We may owe him a lot, but that doesn´t mean that we should make a trade that doesn´t fit our needs just to please Dream´s. So no, i would not oppose to a deal that meets any of our needs like capspace, picks and players, even though i prefer to get players. Yeah, i´m obssessed about SAR being a rocket, go ahead and sue me. Oh, i almost forgot about this. When Dream´s contract expires, we get the cap anyway, so WHY trade him now for capspace? Only if the players on the last year of their contracts are useful to us as far as winning NOW goes (doubtful) or if we can PACKAGE other contracts we might want to get rid of (Cato, Walt, Los) which is FAR more intersting, IHMO. THEN and only THEN it makes sense trading the dream for cap purposes. Otherwise, he stays put. ------------------ "I have posted so much that what I say must be true" [This message has been edited by Thanos (edited January 16, 2001).]
That's a lot of "IF"s, but I will go along... I will still be a fan if that's what Dream wants... play for a contender. If Dream is still playing next season but not with the Rockets, I would still be a Rocket fan. I hate to see Dream in another uni, but I feel the Rockets have fulfilled their obligation at the end of this current contract. If Dream is willing to play within the current system, 1/3 of the current salary isn't much, but I would also understand if Mgmt chose not to go with that route. I will HATE the Rockets only if they trade Dream now and that Dream wants to retire at the end of this season.
I think that the Rockets need to trade Dream/Cato/Walt/LOS for younger players that can grow together. It's impossible to put a value on experience, but if a player becomes a distraction to the development of the youngsters like Dream has, then it's time for the changing of the guard. Cato is turning out to be one of the biggest candy a**es in the league. If the Rockets want him to stay healthy, they'll need to hire someone to clear his path of any pebbles or dust particles so he doesn't stub his toe or something. What a waste. Walt has gone back to being his usual inconsistent self. Now, we know why he hasn't stuck with any team as a starter for very long. LOS is just about as injury prone as Cato, but when he's healthy, brings a lot more desire & abilities to the game than Cato does. I know Rudy is loyal to the veterans, but IMHO, if you want to go to the next level, you're going to have to cut the ties that bind. The bottom line is the bottom line, if you don't put a wining product on the floor, the people won't pay to see it. Dream has given his permission & blessings to a trade that would benefit the team. After all, he has investments here in houston & a winning Rockets organization would benefit him as well. Even if we trade him to a noncontender like Vancouver, Chicago, or Golden State, teams that have some good young talent, he can play out this year & go to any team he wants to next year. This is of course, assuming that he will play another year or two. The beauty of trading for young talent that's already in the league is that you have a better idea how they'll adapt to the league. With undrafted rookies, you just never know. The Clippers, if they can keep their team together, are the perfect example of what I believe the Rockets should be doing. The Rockets young nucleus of Francis/Mobley/Shandon/MO/KT will have at least two years of experience after this year & injecting some more youth into the lineup now might be the right thing to do. Also, with all of our centers hurt with the exception of Collier, why not put him in as your starting center & let him get his baptism under fire? As I alluded to earlier, you can't place a value on experience & you can't gain experience on the bench. On a more positive note. Great move, putting Shandon at the SF position. He seems to be taking to it like a duck to water. Whatever moves or lack of moves you guys make will be alright with me. ROCKETS RULE! ------------------ [This message has been edited by Hottoddie (edited January 16, 2001).]
What the partner said. I'd be happy to see Dream get a tagalong title somewhere else, though. ------------------ We're going to stay together until something happens, if something happens. - Sidney Lowe on Shareef's career in Vancouver.
I think we should trade Hakeem for Doug Christie, Kevin Willis, and a couple of #1 draft picks. So much for a dignified, gracious ride into the sunset. ------------------ "Thirty-seven?" -Randall, Clerks www.clutchtown.com
This is what is wrong with things today. There is no loyalty or commitment to anything or anyone. There is no loyalty from the players to the owners or owners to the players or owners to the fans or the fans to the owners. Dream should retire a Rocket. ------------------
If Dream does not intend to retire, then I would have no problem trading him. I think he can still be effective, but he seems to have a hard time catching the ball on the roll to the hole and just does not want to accept a lesser role. He has been great, and I would wish him well. DaDakota ------------------ If Mankind evolved from monkeys and apes, then why are there still monkeys and apes?
It might not be that easy. He stays, but he doesn't retire. He wants another year. Maybe two. I'm sure those salary negotiations are going to be peachy. "I want 13 million for two years." "Uh, Dream, you don't even fit our offensive system anymore." Even worse, imagine us losing him to free agency to another team! The humiliation! There are other teams that he would fit well in, maybe truly help them make a playoff push. He could be an important part of something elswhere when he's just "marching into the sunset" down here. I would be especially happy if he could go somewhere where he will be respected and appreciated, like Vancouver.
The Rockets have been very loyal to Dream and should now have free license to trade him esp considering his comments about the offense and such. The Rockets passed up a lucrative offer from Toronto a few seasons back to keep the Dream on board. How many folks would like to have Shawn Marion, Jonathan Bender or Corey Maggete developing with this young core of players? Les Alexander has re-paid Dream for the days he was lowballed by the previous management. Who can say with a straight face that Dream has been worth 16 mil based on his performance the past few seasons? Its pretty clear that Les re-paid him for the days he was underpaid. Certain fans which I wont call out right now are willing to completely damage this team's future b/c of their loyalties to Dream. Hakeem's complaining about the offense and his role in it was a completely low act from such a classy individual. Had it been anybody else, 99% of this forum would be raking him over the coals. I believe in re-paying a past debt but there is a limit on loyalty in my book. If you owe someone $100, you may give them back that amount or a certain amount more but you dont mortgage your life savings to them. This is going to sound brutal and ugly but my preference is on winning championships as opposed to any kind of player loyalty. I dont have any specific favorite player but only a favorite team, the Rockets. If they do what is best for the team's future to win rings down the line, Im happy. I could care less who is on the team, as long as it wins. You could give me 12 thugs off the street, if they won I'd be happy. Its all about winning, losing sucks. ------------------ Check out the Best Source for Draft Info Draftsource.net
Nolen hit it on the head. Dream is gone. ------------------ We're going to stay together until something happens, if something happens. - Sidney Lowe on Shareef's career in Vancouver.
Hakeem has been my favorite player since I have been a basketball fan. That being said, the Rockets are bigger than just Hakeem Olajuwon and if trading him benefits the organization then do it (as long as Hakeem gives his blessing). We dont want to turn into the Celtics who showed too much loyalty to Bird and McHale. ------------------ Calvin Murphy for President!
I'm gonna miss you Hakeem, but it's best for everybody if he leaves. It's obvious he's not coming back next year. We should get what we can for him now, and hopefully he goes to a contender and has a shot at another ring. ------------------
I've signed on. I am a Rocks fan for life. The thing to remember, however, is that to many people Dream IS the Rockets, so any trades, deals, and even his retirment, needs to be handel w/ kit gloves. Let's Remember, Dream was the franchise before Franchise. ------------------ C-son ______________
Olajuwon is not happy and obviously wants out. His comments in the paper allude to that and I think we've all seen this one coming. At this point, I almost believe ANY deal that doesn't hamstring our chances by either bringing in a talented young player OR keeping our cap space available is fine. If he wants out, he will be worse for the team if he remains than if he doesn't. The one thing young players need is stability. A fading star that complains more than he performs is worse than no star at all. I'll always be a Rockets fan. Period. ------------------ I am very very sleepy.
Im with you on this one Jeff ... if the benidict wants out, let him out! If he does go, I will lose much respect for the guy. ------------------ its all good and fun till someone gets hurt ... then its absolutely hilarious!
Good point Jeff. As painful as it is to admit, the truth is that we´ve ALREADY seen examples of this. Anyone remembers Dream´s comments about how you cannot go away from the post...? We can only hope that the Rockets are using Dream wisely as a bargaining chip, because if he REALLY has made that clear that he wants out and the team we are negotiating with is aware of that demand, his value as far as trade bait goes WAY down. Just look at what happened with McGrady and Hill, for instance. ------------------ "I have posted so much that what I say must be true"
